NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IN spite of the lull still observable in politics on the Continent, the feeling of uneasiness has distinctly increased this week. The feeling is for the most part vague;
but those who give it form say they expect an explosion of some kind within the Balkans. The time for decided action is near at hand, and as it approaches, the disquiet in Eastern Europe increases. On Thursday, for instance, it was reported that a band of a thousand armed Montenegrins had invaded Servia ; and on Friday, that a serious disturbance had broken out in Vranja, Macedonia, Greeks and Servians together fighting the Turkish authorities. That would mean that the Greek Macedonians, in alliance with the Servian Radicals, wished to bring on a revolt in Macedonia this year, and so compel the Bulgarians either to fight or to assist them, the Bulgarians claiming half Macedonia for their own. This is said to be the view of the Turkish Government, which has withdrawn its Ambassador from Athens. Russia is, of course, believed to be behind the whole movement, her plan being to frighten the Bulgarians with the loss of Mace- donia if they do not submit, or if they do, to pay them with a large slice of the province. The seriousness of the situation, of course, depends upon Russian decisions, and it is to be observed that General Bogdanovitch, a Panslavist leader, has been reappointed to a high post in the Ministry of the Interior, that attacks upon Germany have recommenced in Moscow, and that the Hungarian Premier, Herr Tisza, has informed the Delegations that they must vote the money for arming the Landsturm—£5,000,000 sterling—the situation being too grave to allow of delay.
