2 JANUARY 1886, Page 10

There is absolutely no news from the Balkan Peninsula, except

that the neutral zone between Servia and Bulgaria has been quitted by both armies. The terms of peace are as little settled as before, and the belief that the Powers are wiling away the time till March, when they will take serious action, con- tinues to increase. Austria and Russia are said to be arming, and are really laying in stocks of war material, as is also the Sultan, who complains that, while everybody professes friend- ship, he is compelled to ruin his Treasury by expenditure on preparations for war. It is impossible to test the truth of these rumours, but the appearance of wilful delay is strong ; and it should not be forgotten that when Prince Alexander began to move, he was accused only of being premature. It is a little difficult, nevertheless, to believe that the Powers have any plan of partition ready ; or that if they have not, they are prepared for a final settlement of the Eastern Question by force of arms. What do they lose by waiting, that they should hurry on a war ?