THE EASTERN QUESTION

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9367, 9 February 1909, Page 5

THE EASTERN QUESTION

United Frees Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Vienna, February 8. The. Reichsrath’s' session closed wihont passing the Bill for the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sofia, February 8. The Porte’s counter-proposal is deprecated at Sofia as calculated to increase the tension. It is stated that unless M. Isvolsky’s offer be frankly accepted, the Bulgarian Reservists, who remain under arms until tne end of this we.ek, may he allowed to return to their homes, but equal or larger numbers will be summoned, thus increasing the war spirit. Statesmen Sofia emphasise that the Porte’s acceptance' would not preclude separate arrangements for the liquidation of the Turkish debt. Meanwhile news from Macedonia is somewhat disquieting. Constantinople, February 8. The Porte informs M. Isvolsky that it is ready to renounce all claims against Bulgaria, provided that Russia in return will consider tne Russo-Turkish War Indemnity as fully liquidated. , According to Router, this would entail upon Russia the sacrifice of a million sterling beyond M. Isvolsky’a offer. TURKEY’S PROPOSALS. SS Received February 9, 9.57 a.m. Constantinople, February 8. Turkey makes a counter proposal to hand Russia two millions besides Bulgaria’s five millions to cancel Turkey’s annual payments of £815,000 for 74 years.