THE BALKANS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 5, 31 December 1912, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

PEACE NOT FAB OFF. • Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Constantinople, December. 29, It is semi-officially stated thatTUrkey will not consent to the cession,of Adrianople under any circumstanbes. London, December 30.' ' ; The Allies declined to criticise the Turkish proposals, because they as- v sume Macedonian reforms are still sought, whereas the destinies of the Macedonians have passed out of Ottoman hands. A territorial lease is tike only one whereon negotiations can proceed. v

Rescind Pasha, the Turkish delegate, reminded the conference that the Allies undertook the war to compel the Porte to grant reforms which it was now willing to concede, and', that the League had spontaneously and emphatically disclaimed any territorial ag-, grandisement. ,■

Berlin, December 30. In Vienna official quarters there is an optimistic feeling regarding the outcome of the conference.

Reuter’s correspondent states that the Turks have felt justified in submitting excessive counter proposals, because the Allies presented term! beyond what was expected. The retention r of Adriano|>le and Thrace are indispensable to Constantinople’s security. Likewise their retention is necessary if Turkey is to remain a State. The Turks appear hopeful ihat the resumption of hostilities will secure better terms for them. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, December 30. One Bulgarian delegate states that the Conference will finish its business this week.

“The new Turkish proposals,” tlie delegate says, “are a mockery. If the Turks required time to complete the Chataldja preparations, so did we.”

The Allies are now in a better position than when hostilities were .suspended. They have summoned all the Christians in the conquered provinces between nineteen and twenty-live years of age, giving 30,000 to 40,000 recruits, and it is estimated that 41,000 will be secured.

TURKS FINESSE THE GAME. Constantinople, December 30.' It is stated on good authority that the Cabinet Council has decided to ipstruct the delegates to refef the points at issue to an Ambassadors* Conference. SULTAN'S SENTIMENTAL - EXCUSE. ' The newspaper’s state that the Sultan informed his entourage that he would rather risk the loss of his Throne than surrender Adrianople, which shelters the tombs of "his glqrious ancestors. THE GREEKS’ SUCCESS. Athens, December 30. Tile Greeks continue to attack Bigam, where the defence is weakenihg. They repulsed several Turkish night attacks. RAIDS AND MASSACRE. Albanian raiders at Bakiaoga, after being driven out of Macedonia,’ end exploiting Epirus, invaded Zegoiri, and looted and burnt churches and many houses. They impaled a priest at Lordani, and strangled two notables. , Many inhabitants are taking reftigU in the forests. 1 •*, ■ ADRIANOPLE IN A BAD WAY. Sofia, December '36. The ‘Mir’ reports daily desertions from the Turks. Adrianople is described, and the situation thereirt »s depicted in the darkest colours. MILITARY ACTIVITY. Bucharest, December 36. The Chamber have granted military votes amounting to 151,000,000 fra lies. Belgrade, December 30. Repeated reports are received from Roumania of military activity on the frontieiv Vienna, December 30. The ‘Zeit’ states that military exercises on a large scale under war conditions are projected during the present winter.