The Balkan War Scare.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 2, 1912:
    Though the advices from St. Petersburg and Belgrade indicate immediate war in the Balkans, the indications need not be taken too seriously as yet. There is a season for everything, and the month of October is not the season for beginning warfare in that region. If war against Turkey is jointly declared by Bulgaria and Servia and Greece, hostilities are likely to be deferred until Spring. Now, however, is as good a time as any to harass much-troubled Turkey. The reason is the old, old reason, the ill-treatment by the Turks of the Christian population of Macedonia. In Bulgaria the situation has been tense for some months. Turkey's broken promises to relieve the Macedonians, particularly the Malissori, have caused a state of unrest in that Balkan kingdom which has spurred the Government to action. The Turks have lately been at their old tricks among the Malissori, and no confidence is felt either by the Jews or the Christians throughout Macedonia in the ability or the desire of the Moslem rulers to protect them. Bands of armed Turks have lately been committing depredations in Salonika.
    This is the old story, and the present combination of Greek, Bulgarian, and Servian was undoubtedly inspired by the internal and external troubles of Turkey. Autonomy for Macedonia is the demand. Turkey will fight to the death rather than grant it. The Porte will promise any reform asked for, but grant nothing. The war, if it should occur, with or without the consent of the Powers, might result in many changes in the map of Southeastern Europe. Servia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Greece are all credited with designs of territorial expansion. Meanwhile, it is a matter of fact that the armies of Greece and the Balkan States have been mobilized, that the preparations for a conflict seem to be serious, that the European Bourses have been affected by the rumors, and the Foreign Offices are pessimistic. But war in the Balkans when the snow flies is unheard of, diplomacy has not yet done its best, and Turkey has explained that its proposed army manoeuvres will be of too trifling a character to justify apprehension.
    If the stronger countries of Europe would do their whole duty there would be no danger of war. If their jealousies did not prevent them from forcing Turkey to obey the laws of civilization there would be permanent peace in the Balkans.