THE BALKAN SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2577, 27 September 1915, Page 5

THE BALKAN SITUATION

RAPID DEVELOPMENTS MOBILISATION OP GREECE'S ARMY - By Telegraph.—Press Associ&tion-OopyrlElit London, September 24. The Greek Legation in London states that Greece is mobilising, owing td Bulgaria's action. Twenty classes have been summoned under the Greek mobilisation decree.- . '. . Paris, September 24. Official.—A decree for the mobilisation of the Greek Anny Las been issued.The Greek Parliament lias boen summoned to meet on Saturday. , Athens, September 24. A Ro.val decree orders tho mobilising of classes 1892 to 1911 as a measure of prudence, in view of the Bulgarian mobilisation. Heretofore only four classes in Greeco were under arms. INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN GREECE. ' , London, September 24. Tho "Daily Chronicle's" 'Athens correspondent says that Thursday was fall of excitement, the 1 various rumours increasing the popular interest in developments, though none expected a momentous decision. Special editions of the newspapers which were rushed into the streets in the forenoon confirmed Bulgaria's action in mobilising practically her entire manhood. When the seriousness of the news was realised excitement was at fever heat in tie crowded cafes. At midday M. Vcnizelos immediately summoned Cabinet, deciding that it was necessary that Greece should tako similar action. M.- Vcnizelos in the afternoon motored to the Palace and informed King Constantino of Cabinet's unanimous decision. King Constantino expressed his complete agreement. • The War Minister, in full uniform, also visited King Constantiiie. His' passage through the streets gave tho crowds th'e first impression of ail immense mobilisation. The official' news at 6 o'clock in tho evening was that King Cortstantine bad signed the decree. Crowds'gathered at the Foreign Office and clieered. The 1912 class and three others are already under arms, with twenty classes now mobilising. The total will be 300,000. Greece does not desire war, and mil not be an aggressor. If Bulgarian ambitions force war, the Greeks will fight with valour and determination unsurpassed in history. ■ There js a 1 feeling of relief at something definite after long uncertainty. The King, Cabiuot, and the people aro united, and aro fidly aware of' the tremendous issue. It is reliablv reported that Germany forced Bulgaria's land. '

GREEK PARLIAMENT MEETS ON WEDNESDAY 'ALL GREEK STEAMERS HAVE BEEN REQUISITIONED', (Ree. September 26, 4.5 p.mi) , ~ Athens, September 25. King.Constantino and the Premier, M. Venizelos, agreed that it was' necessary that steps should be taken to meet the Balkans situation, including the maintenance of Greece's treaty obligations with Serbia.' A decree has been promulgated convoking the Chamber for Wednesday to pass martial law, give the Government control of the railways, and" prohibit the transport of merchandiso. The National Bank of Greece will deposit fourteen millions sterling; for mobilisation. The announcement has been evesywhere received enthusiastically! All Greek steamers have been requisitioned. GREEK RESERVISTS JOINING THE COLOURS, EN MASSE. (Rec. September 27, 0.45 a.m.) m , . .. Athens, September 26. lle reservists are coming up en masse, amid scenes of tho greatest enthusiasm. Many thousands are already in uniform, and it is expected the majority will have joined the colours by Monday. - BRITISH' MINISTER FRANTICALLY CHEERED. " (Rec. September 27, 0.15 a.m.) .. . . , , '. „■ , , Athens, September 26. . • An immense crowd frantically cheered the British Minister when proceeding to visit M. Venizelos when the new accord of Kins Constantino was known. VIEWS IN DIPLOMATIC QUARTERS IN LONDON. '■ (Rec. September 26, 4.5 p.m.)' „ , . ~ . .•_ . London, September 2S. . lieu tor learns that diplomatic quarters m London, in tho-continued absence of definite news regarding Bulgaria's policy consider that great uncertainty still exists regarding the meaning'of the latest developments in the Balkans The rapidity of the events occasions much surprise, although/ it is considered that Greek mobilisation is merely a corollary to Bulgarian action. Moreover it is-pointed out that there is Ho anti-British feeling in Bulgaria, where' Britain's single-minded and conciliatory policy in the Balkans are fullv recocnised. '■ ' ■ "Tha Times's" Sofia correspondent says that responsible quarters hold that Bulgaria's mobilisation must not be regarded as an indication that Bulgaria's intentions are warlike. It is necessary that Bulgaria should take precautions with a view to the near approach of the war theatre. Negotiations with the, Entente will proceed as before. *■-

BULGARIA DOES NOT INTEND TO ENTER THE WAR. . 4 . V , „ Washington, September 24. i riio Bulgarian- Premier has cabled the Legation here that Bulgaria does not intend to enter tho war. • - Her mobilisation was not ordered with any aggressive intention against-her neighbours, but simply to preserve her neutrality. , ' THE RUSSIANS''AND THE BULGARIANS, : .* , _ ' • Petrograd, September 24. M. Gutchkott, president of tho Slav Committee at Moscow, has telegraphed to M. Daneif, M. Gueschoff, and other Bulgarian'statesmen,'as follows :~"Tbe Russian people cannot believe that the Bulgarians, whom Russia - liberated, are about to take up arms against their brethren." ESTIMATE OF BULGARIA'S FIGHTING STRENGTH. • • ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ■ . ">. ■ London, September 24. Colonel Repington, "The Times's" military correspondent, estimates Bui-, garia's fighting strength at 250,000 rifles, 6000 sabres, and 722 guns, to which the reserves and Macedonian bands provide a further 100,000. 1 SEMI-OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF BULGARIA'S POSITION; *' (Rec. September 27, 0.30 a.m.) , Sofia, September 26. ' Semi-official: It is stated that Bulgaria's mobilisation is due to recent changes in the political and military situation. Bulgaria lias not the slightest aggressive intention, but is firmly resolved to defend, fully , armed, her rights of independence, thus Mowing the example set bv_ Holland and Switzerland at the outset of the war. Bulgaria is obliged to view her neighbours' movements of troops aud the danger threatening her' from an Austro-Cerman offensive against Serbia. She proclaims armed neutrality while continuing pourparlers with the representatives of the two belligerent groups." ASTONISHMENT IN GERMANY AT GREECE'S ACTION THE NEW MOVE WILL PREVENT BULGARIA'S ATTACK ON SERBIA. .

(Rcc. September 27, 0.5 a.m.) . Amsterdam, September 26. The mobilisation of the Greek Army produced profound astonishment in Germany, where it is feared tho move inay neutralise and prevent a Bulgarian attack on Serbia. ; : • Bitterness is expressed against Rumania. -The "Cologne Gazette" says: "Rumania is played out. Her role as link between Austria and Turkey has ended. We shall pass through Sofia, and that will teach Rumania not to side with our 'foes." Tlie "Tageblatt" states that Constantinople messages 'shoTT that there is great dissatisfaction in the Turkish army at the projected entry of German troops, iis tho army fears if they come t-hey will never be got rid- of. The Young Turks have published a statement that Turkey does not need Germany's assistance; the Turks will keep a watch over tho Dardanelles, and reconquer Egypt alone.

FRENCH WAR CREDIT £266,000,000 VOTED. . ' ByTelonrapli—Proas Association—Copyright (Kec\ September 26, 4 p.m.) Paris, Septembter 25. The Chamber has voted war credits for 266 million sterling. M. Ribot, Minister of finance, announced that tho liew loan would be launched before there was fresh taxation, which would |,y medclM 91! the linos of the new a«Ush ta,sssv

D.S.O. FOR A NAVAL LIEUTENAiNT. By Telesraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. September 26, 2.15 p.m.) London, September 25., Naval-Lieutenant Louis Hamilton has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order for transporting a naval gun 160 miles up tho Niger, 480 up the Banue River, and 60 miles overland. This largely contributed to the surrender of iiw Ctaa, garrison.