A story is current in Vienna that the Balkan States—Servia,
Bulgaria, and Montenegro—have formed a league against Austria. If Austria tries to pass Novi Bazar, Sorvis, is to find 120,000 men, Bulgaria, 90,000; and Montenegro, 26,000,—all tinder the command of a Russian General. Roumania objects to join the league, Greece has not been asked, and the
attitude of the Porte is considered doubtful. All this, though it is gravely discussed, looks a little dreamy. That the States of the Balkan will by-and-by form a league under a federal head in Constantinople is probable enough, and we are glad to recognise in them any signs of vitality ; but at pre- sent these moves must be mere tentatives, promoted probably by Russia, as diplomatic replies to the Austrian offers of tariff unions. The South Slays do not want to be absorbed in Russia, and the Roumanians will not be, but they lean on Russia for want of any other protecting Power. They would lean on England or Austria much more readily, if only their two prayers were granted,—that they shall be free in all but military arrange- ments, and that the Turks shall depart for their Asiatic dominions. A Christian Emperor of Byzantium, guiding seven strongly organised States, would be a far stronger bulwark against Russia than any possible Sultan.
