The Times has published a statement on high " authority
" that King Milan intends to abdicate, and that the Austrian Government proposes to prevent disorder by occupying Belgrade. This, however, is denied, and is, primci facie, exceedingly impro- bable. King Milan has made M. Ristich Premier, which means a policy of repression ; and it would be far easier for Austria if she moves at all to enter Servia to uphold the dynasty than to enter it on her own account. We confess, however, that we doubt the rumour of her advance. If made, it would indicate that the Emperor Francis Joseph had resolved to throw the mask aside, to claim supreme influence in the West of the Balkan Peninsula, and either to fight Russia, or agree to a partition. That is a policy too decisive for his cautious statesmen, though no doubt he will be greatly encouraged in it by the result of the English elections. It is more probable that a Congress will be called to rectify and com- plete the Treaty of Berlin, and that it will continue to sit without doing much until the worst of the winter is over, and the immense commissariat difficulty is a little lessened. The Congress may even formulate a settlement ; but to outsiders the views of the Powers seem hopelessly irrecon- cilable, neither England nor France being prepared to assent to a partition. The scheme, mentioned in the Times, of making Constantinople and Salonica free cities under British protection, is nonsensical. Why should we incur the permanent hostility of both Austria and Russia ? The Hapsburgs, it is true, direct their own foreign policy ; but the Czar has to think of his people, who regard Constantinople as their inheritance.
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