AT THE moment of writing we find ourselves again in the dark as
regards what is happening in the theatre of war in the Balkans. But
for some days previously the curtain had been lifted, and to the
astonished gaze of the world there was revealed an amazing
spectacle of victories won by the dash and daring of the soldiery
of the Allies, and of the repulse and flight of the Turks before
foes whose military skill and enterprise they had apparently
under-estimated. So far as can be conjectured, the Turks are now
making a firm stand, and if they have been compelled to regard this
as their last chance, we may expect to hear that, in the battle now
being fiercely waged, they have fought with that desperate courage
which comes to men who find themselves in the last extremity.
Whatever may be the issue of the war, the doctrine of the
status quo can no longer be upheld. It is unthinkable
that, if the Ottoman forces finally prevail, the Balkan States
should be allowed to relapse into their former subjection to
Ottoman ascendency. But when the moment arrives for dealing with
the new problems that must arise, who can tell what quarrels may
not be excited among the Great Powers, with fearful consequences
for the peace of Europe?