mow a swath as wide as Germany itself across two continents, from the Baltic to the confines of India."

Austria's situation was similar to that of Russia and Germany. Her only outlet was down the Adriatic, the lower part of which was guarded by the forts and warships of Italy. For this reason Austria has always gean Sea as her only safe, adequate

looked to the

road, to the oceans. has been to hew out a clear path to Salonika. But the Turks and the Slavs of the Balkan Peninsula have always stood in her way. This has been true of Serbia especially.

With this in view her steady policy

Serbia, being supported by Russia, effectually blocked Austria in her drive to the Ægean, and also Germany in her drive to Constantinople and on to the Persian Gulf. It appeared to both Austria-Hungary and Germany that this ring drawn around their eastern and southeastern boundaries meant their ruin. For this reason they decided to break it at any cost.

As for France and Italy, they both feared the results of a Teutonic victory. Their position in the Mediterranean was such that they felt safer under the paramountcy of England and Russia, and therefore joined them against the Central Powers.

These conditions are so vital to the very existence of these different powers, that they see no way of surrendering their ground. Yet the conditions clash so violently that it seems impossible to maintain their policies without war. They have unsheathed their swords to reach a settlement. The price being paid is staggering.

Powers. The Things Men Fight For," p. 230.

Copyright, Detroit Pub. Co.

48

Co.

A SCENE ON THE BOSPORUS

The Strategic Waterway involved in the Eastern Question

THE EASTERN QUESTION

THE evidence is abundant and conclusive that the storm-center of the World War which began in 1914, is the Near East. But this is not a new storm-center. It has been the center of stormy conflicts for centuries. The World War raging around this center is one more added to the many that have been fought by the European powers over the long-standing dispute as to who shall possess Constantinople, the Bosporus, and the Dardanelles. This dispute has been known during the past century as "The Eastern Question."

Of this, one writer has said:

"In its strict and narrow sense, the Eastern Question is the question, What is to be done with the southeast of Europe and the contiguous portion of Asia?" "From the point of view of European politics, the Eastern Question has come to include the complications arising out of the possession by the Turks of the east of Europe and the possibility of Russian predominance in the Egean Sea." 1

1 Daniel Seelye Gregory, "The Crime of Christendom," pp. 8, 9.

Another writer makes a similar statement:

"During the last decade the international aspect of the Eastern Question has been the struggle of the forces of Pan-Slavism and Pan-Germanism." 2

Thus it is evident that the present clash of nations in Europe is a continuation of the conflict growing out of the old, complicated, never-ending Eastern Question.

The coveted control of the great natural highway the Bosporus and the Dardanelles - connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean, seems about to slip from Turkey's grasp; and this fact makes acute the problem as to what power or powers shall henceforth control where Turkey has so long exercised absolute sway. The northern end of this waterway is called the Bosporus; the middle section, the Sea of Marmora; and the southern end, the Dardanelles. On the eastern side is Asia Minor; on the western, the Balkan Peninsula. Since 1453, when the Turks took Constantinople and made that historic city the capital of their empire, they have been in possession of this waterway linking the Black Sea with the Mediterranean, and thus have been able to exercise a dominant influence all out of proportion to their position among the nations of earth.

Of the fierce struggle that has arisen over this question, the editor of the Washington Post has said:

3

"As diplomatic and military activity increases in the neighborhood of Constantinople, the world's attention is directed more and more to the momentous events that are impending in that quarter. . . . Constantinople is the bone of contention between Christian and infidel, between Teuton and Slav. It is a stupendous drama that is being unrolled at the Golden Horn,— a modern scene of the most vivid nature, with a background crowded with memorable figures and historic events. Whatever the climax, the tumultuous happenings of these current months stir the imagination of the world, and will powerfully affect its future."

Charles Seymour, "The Diplomatic Background of the War," p. 197. 8 Aug. 18, 1915.

The Struggle Foretold by Prophets

It is interesting to note that this complicated problem with which statesmen have struggled for a century, and which in its latest form has been convulsing all Europe, was foretold in the writings of the prophets many centuries ago.

Students of the Bible and of Bible commentaries are familiar with the prophecies which outline the rise, history, and downfall of many of the great nations of earth. The overthrow of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia was foretold by the prophets long before their downfall. The place, power, and final destruction of the Medo-Persian, Grecian, Roman, and Turkish Empires, also, are definitely set forth in the prophetic outlines.

The eleventh chapter of Daniel gives a wonderful forecast of the history of the world from the time of the Persian Empire, 538 B. C., to the downfall of all earthly kingdoms. The prophecy opens with Persian and Grecian conflicts, and closes with the overthrow and utter ruin of a power which many expositors claim represents Turkey.

It is of the greatest importance that the world should know the meaning of the last specification in Daniel's prophecy referring to the Turkish Empire. It is as follows:

"He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Dan. 11: 45.

The reason it is so important that the meaning of this event be understood when it is about to take place, is because it is the prelude to the coming of the Prince of Peace, the greatest of all events in the history of the world.

By the prophet's statement the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the second coming of Christ are in