THE MYSTERY OF MONTENEGRO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2677, 25 January 1916, Page 5

THE MYSTERY OF MONTENEGRO

WAS THE ARMISTICE A RUSE? STATEMENT BY THE MONTENEGRIN PREMIER By Telegraph—Press AisocialUto—Copyright O j. Rome, January 23. ' The Montenegrin Premier's communique, _ explaining the Montenegrin mystery, says: "An exchange of communications with the Austrian. Army became 'necessary after, the fall of Mount Lovchen and Cettijne. The negotiations and the suspension of hostilities had the^ sole objects of giving time to assure the retreat of the Montenegrins and their evacuation towards Podeoritza and Scutari, and also avoided the other Montenegrin forces being impeded on distant fronts, and gave time for the Serbians to reach Alessio and Durazzo. Thus Austria was delayed' at least a week. The Montenegrins, under General Vukotics, continue to struggle with the enemy, with the object of joining the Serbian Army. - Lyons, January 23. * Press correspondents state that_ the loss of Mount Lovchen was due exclusively to want of food and munitions. Austrian submarines blew up the transports. The negotiations for an armistice enabled King Nicholas to organise a final resistance. , , TfrEIR CROWNING DISASTER-SUPPLY SHIP. TORPEDOED.. (Rec. January 24, 9.5 p.m.) Rome, January 23. The torpedoing of the. Italian steamer Brindisi some ten days tigo was the crowing disaster to the Montenegrins—it was' their last hope. The vessel was bringing one million francs in gold and much food and ammunition, and her safe arrival would have saved Lovchen. . , , All the American passengers, and also 400 Montenegrins, were lost. OPINION IN EUROPE ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Ser vices.T Rome, January 23. The Italian Press advises caution in. accepting the Montenegrin assertions pointing out the extreme . smallness of the casualties at Lovchen. King Nicholas has not yet given proof of his actual intentions. Vienna is officially silent, but unofficially claims an ultimate-success. The pro-Austrian party in Montenegro suggests that Montenegro 'and Serbia be a joint kingdom under King Nicholas. The various European capitals describe the Austro-German attempts to raise up a pro-Austrian party in Serbia.. "THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS." ("Times" and Sydnsy "Sim" Services.) (Rec. January 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 23. The Montenegrin Consul-General at Rome states that there have never been peace negotiations with Austria. "I emphatically deny the capitulation lie," ho says. TEUTONIC PRESS ADMITS "SOME DIFFICULTIES." Amsterdam, January 23. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" admits that some difficulties have arisen over the negotiations. Other journals are gently breaking the news of their col- ' aPS The "Kolnische Volk Zeitung" says thai owing to the Montenegrin Ministers quitting Cflttijne Austri* carnipt nu«4tiata with tlietit, Alicia Tup I all anas to be eurreuderad within wurty-sw hour*, othsnvww military.

will take steps. Austria professes to regard the Montenegrin surrender as a fact, and has notified the Montenegrin commanders that the Austrians have begun to march to the interior to disarm troops as a preliminary to further peace negotiations, and threatens penalties to those who resist.' The "Cologne Gazette," which recently haughtily commented on England's efforts to starve an Empire stretching from Arras' to Bagdad, says" "The King of Montenegro will find a means of compelling his rebellious soldiers to acquiesce in the surrender." The "Gazette" adds: "All effectual auxiliary is starvation, however modest the Montenegrins, claims in the matter of food." MONTENEGRIN ROYALTY AT LYONS. Rome, January 23. The Montenegrin Consul-Gcneral confirms the report of King Nicholas's arrival with Prince Peter at Brindisi. They will join the Queen and Princess at Lyons. Prince Mirko, with three members of the Government, remains to organise the defences. KING CONSTANTINE'S PROTEST TO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS DAMNING REPLY BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. London, January 23. A French wireless communique, commenting on the Associated Press interview with King Constantine, published in New York, complaining of tho encroachments by the Allies on Gre<jk sovereign rights, points out that the Allies went to Salonika at the request of Greece, and adds: "During the last few months the Greek Government has allowed the neutrality of Greece to be violated by the Germans and Austrians, who used tne coasts and islets for submarine bases. An entire German staff was found at Corfu on the eve of the French disembarkation. From theso coasts and isles the pirates were sent out who sank the Ancona and the Persia* AN APPEAL THAT FELL FLAT. New York, January 23. King Constantine's appeal to the United States has fallen flat. The newspapers are not sympathetic, reminding him that the Allies came virtually at the invitation, of Greece. BULGARS WANT FOOD; NOT VISITS FROM THE KAISER. Salonika, January 23. The Kaiser's visit to Nish has not inspired the Bulgarian troops with equanimity or energy. They prefer less rejoicing and more food. Deserterß state that tho army is almost without bread. KING CONSTANTINE IS QUERULOUS COMPLAINS OF THE ALLIES' ATTITUDE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. January 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 23. _ Mr. Crawford Price, of the British Press, has been accorded an interview with King Constantine. The King said that he was displeased at the fact that Greece was being made the battle-ground for foreign armies. All*. Price asked: "Do you not admit that there has been certain justification for our recent actions, however distasteful they may have been to youP" King Constantine: "Yes —and no. You could have chosen another place m which to re-form the Serbian Army rather than have violated the neutrality you guaranteed, lite Belgium. lam willing to do all I can to help the Serbians provided lam approached in a proper manner. I object to you overriding us roughshod. We would have got rid of the Consuls if you had asked us. I recognise the necessity for the destruction of Demirh'issar in the event of a hostile advance, but there was no object in the present cutting off of our military communications. There has been a studied attempt to do everything unpleasantly, anil this treatment of us is in every way unjustifiable. I have given my personal word that there would be no hostility to the Allies, and therefore any further assurance cannot be demanded, as neither the Government nor the army can do anything without mv authority." Mr. Price adds: "Germany has strongly protested against the seizure' of Corfu, and will hold Greece responsible for the' Kaiser's palace. Kinir Constantino is being .squeezed by both sides, but it is unlikely that he will depart from his attitude of neutrality."

INTERVIEW WITH SERBIAN PREMIER (Rec. January 24, 9.5 p.m.) /n M r -,^ lart j n Uonohoo ("Daily Chronicle") has Pasitch (the Serbian Premier), at Corfu. In reply to a question the Premier said: Serbia is unconquerable, and never will be beaten while a dozen Serbs remam alive to handle the rifles. ■ ~"The. Austrq-Germans and tho Bulgars have combined to trample out our national existence, but I tell our enemies that they cannot kill Serbia although they slay her people." ' THE NEW SERBIAN ARMY. • (Rec. January 24, 9.5 p.m.) rm. a • Tr- • i , „t. . . Milan, January 24. ihe American Minister to Serbia, interviewed, : said that within six months the Serbian force would be ready, splendidly equipped for an offensive. % FIERCE FIGHTING IN MESOPOTAMIA CASUALTIES REPORTED TO BE HEAVY , CAMPAIGNING IN ATROCIOUS WEATHER The High Commissioner reports:— I London, January 23, 3.50 p.m. Telegrams from Sir Percy Lake (the British Commander in Mesopotamia), dated Saturday, state that General Avlmer attacked the Turkish position at Essin on Friday, fierce fighting' continuing during tho day, with varying success. - The weather throughout was, atrocious, and the pouring rain rendered the movement of tho troops extremely difficult. Owing to the floods, it was impossible to renew the attack on Saturday, and General Aylmer took up a position 1300 yards from, the enemy's trenches. The weather continues to be very bad, with incessant rain, and the floods are increasing. No details of casualties have yet been received, but they are reported to be very heavv on both sides. GENERAL POSITION GREATLY IMPRpVED. (Reo. January 24, 10.10 p.m.) '» r, ' m• , • it ..r. Pfltrograd, January 23. A Russian official communique states: "Captures of prisoners and artillery in the Erzerum'region continue. During a Turkish headlong flight the roads were strewn with the frozen bodies of Turkish soldiers." Other Teports from Petrograd indicate that tho whole position in, the Middle East has greatly improved. The Russians at Hamadan and Sultanabad are co-operating with the British at Kut-el-Amara, while other Russian troops from Tabriz have reached Miandorb, south of Lake Urmia Turkey is disappointed that Germany is insisting on Mesopotamia' being cleared up before the Egyptian campaign. ; GERMAN PLANS OF EXPECTED CAMPAIGN. . Rome, January 23. The Athens correspondent of the Tribuna" states that the Germans are concentrating three thousand motor-cars at Constantinople, supposed to be for Mesopotamia. They are also amassing enormous quantities of material, floating mines; and submarine parts for Bagdad.