DISTURBED CONDITIONS IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2709, 2 March 1916, Page 5

DISTURBED CONDITIONS IN THE BALKANS

DEPRESSION IN BULGARIA DISCREDITED GERMAN MONEY IN TURKEY AND BULGARIA i B.r Telenaph—'Pre»< Association—CopjTieht ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services;) r ' „ , London, February 29. In view of the prospects of developments in the Balkans, dispatches by Mr. Calvert; the special correspondent of "The Times," confirming the accounts of Turkish and Bulgarian depression are specially interesting. The Germans Hooded the Turks and Bulgarians with discredited German money, alia traders refusing to accept it at its face value were fined or imprisoned. The result at Varna was that most of the shops closed. The economic condition of Bulgaria is depressed. Meat and bread, which jvero abundant- and cheap before the entry of the Germans, liavo quadrupled iu price. The nation is quickly becoming demoralised. It realises Germany's weakness as a protector, and regards Greek and Rumanian exploitation of Bulgaria's extremities as a dismal certainty. The greater part of the Bulgarian army is tied to the Greek frontier, while 45,000 Germans garrison the cities, and make ,an impressive show on the Rumanian frontier. Discussion of politics in Bulgaria is prohibited, under severe penalties. The Austrian administration of Serbia extends along the Morava Valley to Krushevatz. The Anstrians have taken hostages in each city, as a guar 1 - jntee for the passivity of the population, and have removed Serbian males, except artisans, from Belgrade, where no Serbs are allowed in the streets after sunset, or to travel on the trams without a special permit. Austrian officers have brought their families t-o Belgrade, Hungarian speculators have forced extortionate prices from the people, And a Hungarian Jew has been appointed Assistant-Mayor.. Turkey is wailing -under even worse extortions. ' A committee of Young Turks is monopolising the supplies, requisitioning them from districts at small prices, and reselling them at fabulous profits, and even doubling the prices of sugar and dry produce from Austria. The Young Turks are alarmed bv the multiplying signs of popular resentmonf, these, exactions. In connection ivith the murder of Prince Yusuf, Morterutes,. including Riza. (President of the Chamber), Halil Bey, Zia (a high functionary of the Grand Vizierato), and thirty officers wore arrested. All were deported to Asia Minor, whence tney are unlikely to return. TENSION BETWEEN GERMANS AND BULGARIANS. . Paris, February 29. The "Petit Parisien's" Salonika correspondent reports significant'" newn from Bulgaria. Anti-war meetings an> boing held in the streets, and the policn are powerless. The troops refuse to assist. Some meetings demanded Ferdinand's abdication in favour of the Crown Prince, and the withdrawal of the Germans. The tension between tne Germans and Bulgarians at IJslrub is extreme. Tli9 troops occupy separate banks of the Vardar. The .Bulgarian sentinels have been ordered to fire on any Germans attempting to cross the river. . PRINCE WILLIAM OF WIED ONCE MORE. (Rec. March 1, 11.10 p.m.) „ Sofia, February 29. Bulgaria has informed Austria that the reinstatement of Prince William of Wicd on the Albanian throne would be strongly objectionable.