NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE foreign news received at the close of the week is, we regret to say, by no means satisfactory. Friday's papers were full of rumours to the effect that the Russian Government is greatly disturbed by the dread of ' friction between Austria-Hungary and Servia. For example, the Times correspondent at St. Petersburg writes of the despatch of an Austrian ultimatum to Belgrade " demanding dis- armament under a threat of the occupation of Servian terri- tory " being talked of as a question of only a few days. The Times correspondent goes on to declare that should these rumours prove true, Russia is likely to be thoroughly roused, and that even amongst circumspect Russians the conviction Prevails that the impending Austrian move will inevitably bring about a European war. Without taking quite so gloomy a 'view as this, we admit that there is grave cause for anxiety. At the same time, something must be put down to diplomatic bluff. Austria-Hungary does not want a European war, though she does no doubt want to frighten the Servians. The danger is lest the process of bluff may be over- done, and may end in 'an actual outbreak on the frontier. Prance, Britain, and Italy may be depended upon to use their utmost endeavours to prevent war. Germany also cannot want war. Her position, however, is a very difficult one, for it is clear that in the last resort she must stand by her Andre- nungarian ally. She is not in a position to say to her that if she provokes war with Russia she will have to fight alone.
