ITALY WILL HELP THE SERBIANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2635, 4 December 1915, Page 5

ITALY WILL HELP THE SERBIANS

. CLEAR LIGHT ON THE SITUATION IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. Decembor 3, 8.15 p.m.) . , , , . , . Rome, December 2. A crowded, expectant Chamber received witli loud applause JBaron Sonniuo s important statement regarding tile position of the Entente's negotiations Ivitli Greece, and Italy's own relations with Serbia, hitherto shrouded in mystery. : J Baron Sonnino said that Greece's attitude at one time gave rise to anxiety but the situation Lad happily been cleared up. Greece had given the required assurances, and there was every reason to believe that a satisfactory settle.M* 3 been reached regarding the safety and freedom of movement of the Allies forces m Macedonia. The presence of the Italian flag on the'other side of the Adriatic would constitute, a reaffirmation of Italyfs traditional policy including the maintenance of Albanian independence. ' The strategical defence of the Adriatic was another pivot of Italy's policy. Italy had signed an agreement not to conclude a separate peace. Serbia's independence was if the greatest importance to Italy; the absorption of that country by Austria would constitute a great danger to Italy. "Wo cannot," said the Baron, "remain deaf to Sorbia's appeal, and we will speedily do everything possible to assist the Serbian army. In agreement with the Allies we have laid down the complete restoration of Serbian independence as an indispensable condition of the termination of the war." (Great cheering and cries of "Viva la Serbia I" .Continuing, Baron Sonnino said that this heart-rending appeal, coming across the Adriatic, could not be resisted. Italy was with the Allies and would ensure the 'revicualling and ammunitioning of the Serbians, and facilitate their concentration while awaiting her hour of vengeance. The Italian arms, with tenacity; self-sacrifice, and dash, were carrying out the reconquest of their natural frontier in North Italy, with a jealous guardianship of Italy's vital interests in the Mediterranean. Also, which was important, the several months which Italy had spent in war had showed the necessity for a public testimony of the solidarity of the Allies, and a formal . signature of Italy's adhesion had been given to- London. . The attitude of Greece had momentarily created a certain tension, but the" situation had quickly been cleared by an exchange of Notes, and Greece had now consented to give the required assurances, harmonising with her preceding declaration, of denevolent neutrality. There was thus evory reason for the nope that henceforth all suspicion and distrust would he allayed, and the most cordial relations resumed with Greece. Consequently, it would bo easy to settle the questions of guarantees for the movement of Allied troops from Salonika and the safety of the lines of communication by railway for the transport of our supplies. .. Baron Sonnino_ concluded with an impressive declaration that Italy would pursue the war with all her strength, at all costs, and with every sacrifice. GERMAN OPINION RECOGNISES THE DANGER. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) »r • • ' ... - London, December 2. Major Sloraht (the German military writer), in the "Berliner Tageblatt," says it is not to be expected that the Serbs will lie down. An Italian expedition co-ordinating tli'e remains of tho, Serb army in Albania is likely. He does not claim that the Serbs have been given a decisive blow, and adds, "Who would not prefer Paris to the present position on the West front, or a Sedan in Poland, instead of a Russian retreat. Our attacks have not been failures but wo are surrounded by active enemies." ' IS KING CONSTANTINE A PRO-GERMAN ? M. DENYS-COOHIN THINKS NOT. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London December 2. M. Denys-Cochin (French Envoy to Greece), has been interviewed at Messina by Mr. Jeffries (tho war correspondent). 31. Denys-Cochin said that he had an enthusiastic reception in Greece, where he had received the impression that the bull; of the people was heartily pro-Allies. Ho had passed through a crowd of 20,000 shouting, "Long Live the Allies, especially France! Down with tlie Boschesi" . "The King,added M. Denys-Cochin, "was most cordial to me. My belief is that ho is not pro-German, and has tho greatest desire for neutrality. Ho assured me that ho was satisfied and impressed by Ins interview with Lord Kitchener. Regarding the second Note, M. Denys-Cochin said diplomatic action was no longer imperative, because the Greek Govornmcnt had already accepted the principle of tho non-application of the strict Hague conditions of neutrality. Tho second Note merely discussed details of its application. THE WAR CLOUD ON THE DANUBE (Rcc. December 3, 10 p.m.) . Rome, Decomber 3. The Corriero della Soras's" Bucharest correspondent states that Russian boats are cruising dayand niglit on tho Danube shore of Bessarabia. A German Zeppelin has arrived at Bustchul; (the Bulgarian port on the Danube), and the Austin-Germans havo taken intimidatoi')' measures on tho Bulgarian bank of the river. Tho Auiitrinii monitors hnvo boon withdrawn to Oriovn, It being fenrud that they, might be frozen it*.

GERMANS BELITTLE THE RUSSIAN CONCENTRATION. ("Times" and 1 Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) .„ Lont ' !,n i December 2. A tierman wireless message to Constantinople, describes tlie recent stories of Russian concentration, in Bessarabia, as "merely a bluff. Only recruits and schoolboys are drilling." CONFLICTING REPORTS OP THE FATE OF MONASTIR BULGARS NOT YET IN POSSESSION. . 'i London, December 2. Conflicting reports are to band regarding tlie position at Jlonastir. Latest Athens advices state that although the Serbians have evacuated the town, tlio Bulgarians have not yot occupied it. Messages from Salonika state that 4000 Serbian recruits, sent to join General Vassich, arrived in a state of exhaustion, after marching for sixteen days on only a half-loaf of bread apiece a day. Eight thousand dying men wero removed from the Monastir Hospital. Four hundred were placed in ox wagons and_Gent to Ochrida, no doctor accompanying them, although the journey occupied three and three nights. SERBIANS STILL OCCUPY MONASTIR. (Rec. December. 3, 10 p.m.) Paris, December 3. A French offioinl communique states: "The Serbians are still occupying Monastir." i. The "Temps" states that the Bulgarians have crossed the Upper Clierna and taken possession of all the bridges and roads leading to Monastir. The Bulgarians are constituting a now army in the Struma Valley. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec, December 3, 8.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 2: A Herman, official communique claims to have captured four thousand Serbians south-west of Mitrovitza. THE AUSTRIAN ATTACK ON MONTENEGRO. (Rec. December 3, 10 p.m.) , ... _ . Amsterdam, December 3. An Austrian official communique states: "We marolied into Plevlji after a stubborn battle." THE WAR IN THE DARDANELLES TURKISH WORKS DAMAGED BY ARTILLERY. (Rec. December 3, 10 p.m.) a i? i' w• i • , , Paris ( Decombor 3. A It ranch official communique states: "In tho Dardanelles, on December 17 n? y. ,' er -V ] vns active on both sides.. We inflicted important damage to the Turkish works. , ° "Tho weather has boon severe, but is now milder." TURKISH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. December 3, 10 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 3. . A Turkish ofbcial communiquo states: "Wo captured a portion of tho enemy's entanglements and trenches near Anafarta. "The enemy's cruiser opened fire on our left wing, but retreated beforo our torpedo boats." A GLIMPSE OP CONSTANTINOPLE. , (Rec.- December 3, 10 p.m.) , r . • , Salonika, December 3. Air. Ward Price reports that Greeks who have arrived from Constantinople state that food is very doar there. The casualties to the Turks in the Dardanelles are estimated at 200,000. Many sick and ill-clothed Turks have arrived from Gallipoli. The Turks maintain that the Dardanelles' cannot be forced, and look forward to the time when supplies of German ammunition will enable them to drive off the Allies. One Greek said that a battery of German 10-inch guns had been Bent to Chanak Fortress (in the Narrows). It will likely be five weeks before railway communication with Austria can be re-established, the Serbians having groatlv damaged the Nish-Belgrade section of the railway to Constantinople, via Bulgaria. ATTEMPT TO RAISE A DEBATE IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT. London, December 2. In the House of Commons; Mr. A. Lynch (Nationalist) asked Mr. AsquitJi if an opportunity would bo given to debate the military and diplomatic dispositions which had led to tho present position in the Near East and at tho Dardanelles. Mr. Asquitli said that he would consider the matter, but would not givo any undertaking. THE BROAD HIGHWAY TO THE EAST Berne, December 2. Dr. Schott, director of tho Hamburg Observatory, describes the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus as the joint or bridgehead in the great international route of tho future, namely, Berlin; Vienna, Constantinople, and Bagdad railway, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. The route should be secure and permanently open, as it is vital to the Central Powers. Amsterdam, December 2. In a debate in the Bavarian LanfSig on the economic situation, it was indicated that Germany hopes to monopolise the trade with the Near East. THE KAISER'S VISIT TO VIENNA • WHAT THE SENSATIONALISTS SAY. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 2. The Ronje correspondent of the "Echo de Paris" states that tho sensationalists say that the Kaiser's visit to the Emperor Franz Josef was due to bitter Austro-Gcrman dissensions on tho question of Poland, which are arousing conflicts of opinion, and complications similar to those which led to' the AustroGoYman War of 1866.