A "SLIM" SIEGE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1736, 29 April 1913, Page 7

A "SLIM" SIEGE.

BARGAINING AT SCUTARI,

A "ROYAL" ALLIANCE. KING NICHOLAS & "KING" ESSAD. AUSTRIA'S HAND WILL NOT BE STAYED. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent) (Rec. April 28,. 8.40 p.m.) Paris, April 28. Essad Pasha's proclamation as King of an independent Albania has been confirmed. Essad Pasha lias forty thousand troops, including Djavid's ten thousand. Djavid Bey becomes Essad Pasha's War Minister. i The storming of Scutari is only a farce, Essad surrendering after a regular compact with King Nicholas. By the terms of this compact King Nicholas, of Montenegro, is to obtain Scutari, and Essad is to tako the remainder of Central and Northern Albania (Rec. April 28, 8.40 p.m.) ' Belgrade, April 28. According to the alliance between Essad Pasha and King 'Nicholas, it is reported that Montenegro will keep the Tarabosch Ridge, on which the principal forts of Scutari are situated, and the Valley of the Boyana River, while the town of Scutari becomes Albanian. The fact that Essad Pasha hap a great following among the Albanian tribes is said to assure the success of his proclamation to the Kingship. THE ALBANIAN THRONE, a DECLINED BY DUC DE MONTPENSIER. ' (liec. April 28, 8.40 p.m.) Paris, April 28, The Due de Montpensier announces that he had resolutely declined a recent offer of the Albanian throne. There was no Crown, he stated, that could induce him to relinquish his two titles—that of a French citizen and that ' of a French Princc. [The Due dc Montpensier (Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Orleans) is a younger brother of the Duke of Orleans, the Royalist Pretender to the throne of France. He is 29 years of ago.] AUSTRIA'S. ATTITUDE. INSTANT INDEPENDENT ACTION. (Rec. April .28, 9.5 p.m.) Berlin, April 28. Tho "Vossische Zeitung's" Trieste correspondent telegraphs that a naval division has sailed with ten thousand troops, with the intention tft, occupy Antivari, Dulcigno, and San Giovanni. - Tho advance against Cetinje will be made from the Heights of Budua and llisano. (Rec. April 28, 9.5 p.m.) Berlin, April 28. The newspapers give prominence to telegrams from Vienna, which have apparently been inspired by Count von Bcrchtpld, Foreign Minister, "threatening '-flint''unless to-day's London Conference of Ambassadors recommends prompt coercion or Montenegrins evacuate' Scutari, Aus-tria-Hungary will instantly take independent action.

"A RELUCTANT AND LOYAL EXECUTOR."' (Rec. April 28, 9.5 p.m.) . Vienna, April 28. Official organs declare that a European mandate is unnecessary. Austria is acting as a reluctant and loyal executor of Europe's will. Diplomatists'are convinced that Austria will be left to move alone, none of the other Powers favouring force. <3, — ; ' IN ANTIVARI IN FOUR DAYS. (Rec. April 28, 9.5 p.m.) Berlin, April 28, The "Lokal Anzeiger's" Vienna correspondent states that a. Note las been sent warning the Powers of Austria's intentions. . The correspondent quotes meeting a high Austrian personage, who said: "In four days wo will bo in Antivari." OFFICIAL OPTIMISM. MEANS OF PERSUASION UNEXHAUSTED. (Rec. April 29, 0.55 a.m.) London, April 28. The latest Continental messages still show official optimism concerning tho vitality of tho European concert. Russia is orally friendly, and lias counselled Austria to refrain from precipitate action, inasmuch as the means of persuading King Nicholas to respect Europe's wishes on the question of the occupation of Scutari have not been exhausted. (Rec. April 29, 0.55 a.m.) London, April 2S. There are indications that the Emperor Francis Joseph's statemansliip is now ploying a great role in the maintenance of a specific policy. POWERS' DEMAND MADE. (Rec. April 29, 0.55 a.m.) London, April 28. The Powers' representatives at Cetinje, including the Russian Minister, have presented the demand for the evacuation of Scutari. ESSAD'S SCHEME. (Rec. April 29, 0.55 a.m.) London, April 28. Essad Pasha had a great welcome at Alessit and Adadat. Thcr was much festive firing of his artillery. It is reported in Belgrade that Servia was a, party to tho carrying out of Essad Pasha's plan in regard to tho giving up of Scutari to the Montenegrins. King Nicholas is transporting tho heavy guns at Scutari to tho Lovclven Mountain, overlooking tho Austrian frontier.

SCUTARI.

THE POWERS' DECISION. AUSTRIA WILL PKOCEED ALONE. Berlin, April 27. Ilerr von Jagow, Foreign Minister, speaking in tliir Keichstag, said the Powers hail intimated that the capture of Scutari in nowise alters their previous decision. At the last Conference of Iho Ambassadors it was decided to call on King Nicholas to evacuate Sculari, and if he does not comply further steps will be considered. Vienna, April 27. U is stated in official circles that if the Powers ilo nol agree lu take united action by Monday next Austria will proceed alone.

Count von Berchtold, Foreign Minister, find General Hoetzendortf, War Minister, hud a two-hours' audience with the Emperor Francis Joseph.

Germany has promised to support Austria iu all circumstances.

Tho newspaper "Freiubonblatt" says that Austria-Hungary must, insist oil a speedy and thorough enforcement of the Powers' decision. THE OTHER SIDE. WHAT THE FOUR ALLIES WILL DO. Paris, April 27. A Belgrade correspondent states that Servia has informed tho Powers that should Austria, with or without Europe's mandate, take the iield against Montenegro, the four Allies will unite against her. According to "Le Tcmps's" correspondent, Essad Pasha's capitulation wjxs so arranged with the Montenegrins that he was enabled to proclaim himself Prince of Albania. Essad Pasha belongs to a great Albanian family. Vienna, April 27. All tho Powers' representatives at Cet.inie. except that of Russia, have been instructed to summon Montenegro to quit Scutari. LAST DAYS OF THE SIEGE. "BREAD Olt SURRENDER," Vienna, April 27. neuter's Cetinje correspondent states that General Vukotieh's first interview with Essad Pasha, commanding at Scutari, lasted a day. Essad Pasha rejected the demand for the surrender of all his artillery, and a further bombardment followed. King Nicholas sent General Vukotich again with instructions to treat the Turks chivalrously. Twenty-six thousand Nizams, 5000 Bashi Bazouks, and 458 officers (including a number of Austrians) then surrendered. Prompt orders were given to occupy the Austrian and Italian Consulates and tho Cathedral, and to distribute food to the starving.

During tho last days of tho siege a threatening mob followed Essad Pasha, shouting, "Bread or surrender!" KING OF ALBANIA. ESSAD PASHA'S PROCLAMATION. Cetinjc, April 27. Essad Pasha has proclaimed himself King of Albanians at Alessio. According to one report he has placed tho kingdom under the Sultan's sovereignty. Vienna, April 27. It is stated that the Powers have agreed as to a ruler for Albania, who shall be etyled King. GREEK AND BULGAR. MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS. London, April 27. The announcement from Salonika of the projected sudden withdrawal of all tho Bulgarian troops during the next three days to Seres, 43 miles north-east of Salonika, is interpreted in diplomatic circles in London to bo gravely connected with tho Graeco-Bulgarian difference. The Greeks have latterly concentrated considerable forces in tlio vicinity of the port, and the Bulgarian commander at Seres probably became alarmed at tho isolated position of tlie comparatively small Bulgarian force at the port. Tho withdrawal is not interpreted as an abandonment of the Bulgarian claim to the port. Fur-ther-developments aro being awaited with great anxiety.

Advices from Corfu state that Servian heavy artillery has arrived from San Giovanni, and proceeded to Salonika. There are eleven transports at San Giovanni embarking troops for Salonika. • (PlOc. April 29, 0.55 a.m.) London, April 28. Advices from Salonika, dated April 14, state that ono Bulgarian Tegiment has been provisionally retained at Salonika. GREEK CONGRATULATIONS. "TO THEIR VALIANT BROTHERS." (Rec. April 28, 10.55 p.m.) Melbourno, April 28. The Greek community here has cabled lo King Nicholas a message of rejoicing at the glorious victory of their valiant brothers, the Montenegrins. PEACE PRELIMINARIES. Constantinople, April 27. The Porte has selected London as tho place for signing tho peace preliminaries. The Telegraph Office reports • that an advice from Ben :c' states that the Montenegrin Administration notifies the opening of a telegraph office at Scutari. \