THE CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 339, 28 October 1908, Page 7

THE CONFERENCE.

I BETTER OUTLOOK. AUSTRO-TURKISH NEGOTIATIONS. TO BE RESUMED. TURKISH VIEW OF PROGRAMME. (ni TELEaiiArn—frkss association—corrmaiiT.) Constantinople, October 26. Kiamil Pasha, Turkish Grand Vizier, has requested Germany to advise Austria to accept a Conference of the Powers. The Porte's reply to inquirios by Great Britain, Franco, and Russia awaits the Sultan's approval, which will bo given next Saturday, after tho Feast of Bairam, and it will then bo communicated to the Powers mentioned. - Turkey accepts as subjects for tho European Conference: — 1. Consideration of tho status of Bulgaria and Bosnia, and Herzegovina. 2. The compensation duo to Turkey owiijg to the alteration of such status. In addition the Porto asks tho six great Powers (Russia, Italy, Germany, Britain, France, and Austria-Hungary) to guarantee Turkey against any further aggression. Turkey is also prepared to discuss a modification of the capitulation (or agreement) in connection with the Cretan question'if that question arises, but with tho reservation that discussion shall be between the Porto, and the protecting Powers exclusively. fThe protecting Powers are Britain, Russia, France, and Italy, i Under tho present agreement Crete pays Turkey no tribute, and is governed by a High Commissioner proposed by the King of Greece, but the Porto is suzerain. Recently the Administration and people of Crete' declared for union with Greece, and hoisted the Greek flag.] Tho Porto's reply adds that Servia's and j\Tontenegro's claims for compensation do not concern Turkey, which will leave tho discussion thereof to Austria-Hungary and her' aggrieved neighbours. LATER. AUSTRIA AND GERMANY RESOLUTE RE BOSNIA. OTHER POINTS .APPROVED. (Rec. October 27, 10.58 p.m.) Berlin, October 27. It is semiofficially announced in Berlin that Germany and Russia are at one in recognising that tlie proposed Conference of the Powers will be useful only if all the signatories to the- Berlin Treaty (Germany, Russia, Turkey, Britain, Austria, France, and Italy) are previously in full 'agreement regarding tho scopij of. the Conference and tho contents of its programme.

The statement adds that Gormany cannot assent to any proposals to which 'AustriaHungary raises ' objections. These points might form' the subject of further negotiations. On tlie other hand, Germany agrees to the othor points in the draft scheme which was elaborated as tho result of tho negotiations carried on in London and Paris by M. Isvolsky (Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs), particularly to the arrangements in n'liich tho interests of Turkey are concerned. [The principal points of the Grey-Isvolsky piegramine, or outline, of programme, for the Coitforcnco were: (1) Restriction of programme to question, arising out of: violations of Berlin Treaty; (2). compensation for Turkey, afi'l strengthening new' Turkish regime; (3) a hopo of compensation for-smaller Balkan States, noc at Turkey's expense; (-1) exclusion of.Crete and the Dardanelles.] BRITAIN'S DENIAL. DID NOT INTERFERE IN DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS. (Rec. October 27, 10.58 p.m.) ' London, Octobor 27. Sir Edward' Grey, Secretary fdr Foreign Affairs, has authorised tho following, statement :— , "Reports in the Austrian press to the effect that the interruption of the direct negotiations between Turkey and Austria is due to Britain's advice and influence are totally devoid of foundation. Throughout the negotiations Britain's view has been that a direct arrangement between Turkey and Austria, if satisfactory to Turkey, would smooth tho way for a general settlement; but it is for Turkey to decide whether tho proposals made are acceptable, as sho is the best judge of her own interests."

, A POSSIBLE WAY OUT. VERBAL ASSURANCE 'SUGGESTED. (Rec. October 27, 10.58 p.m.) Constantinople, Octobor 27. It is stated in Constantinople that Austria is willing to accept the Porto's verbal assuranco that Turkey will recognise the annexations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will not raise discussion thereon at the Conference. The Austrian Ambassador will resume pourparlers ivith the Porto after the Feast of Bairam (by which time Turkey's announcement, outlined above, will havo been communicated). SERVIA. TSAR AND CROWN PRINCE. AUSTRIAN SEIZURE OF AN ISLAND. St. Petersburg, October 26. The Tsar invited the Servian Crown Prince to visit St. Petersburg, but his motives for doing so have not .transpired. London, October 26. A Belgrade message states that Austrian soldiers havo occupied a small. Servian island in the River Drina. [The Drina, a tributary of the Save (which is a tributary of .tho Danube), separates Servia from Bosnia. Apparently Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia is held to include tho islands in the river. No serious naval engagement is likely to result, as a recent work declares that the Servian Government, " possesses only ono steamer, which is used exclusively for military purposes." In any case, however, tho Drina is, according to "The Times," not, navigable. Servia's northern boundary is formed by the Save and the Danube. On the latter Austria has thirteen vessels.]