In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 38, 20 January 1916, Page 5

In the Balkans

AUSTRIA & MONTENEGRO. NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF. j ' CONDITIONS OF SURRENDER UNACCEPTABLE. (Press Extraordinary). (Received 10.15 a.m.) Paris, January 19. Official.—Negotiations between Austria and Montenegro have been broken cff, as the conditions of surrender proved to be,unacceptable. I SURRENDER OR RUIN! WAS MONTENEGRO FALSE? ALLEGED SECRET ACREEMENT. (Received 8.10 a.m.) Rome, January 19. The Montenegrin Consul announces that King Nicholas issued a proclamation declaring that it was a question of surrender or ruin. Newspapers gave numerous details with a view to proving that there was a secret agreement existing in October giving Austria Lovtehen and .Montenegro Scutari. One paper suggests that the Entente should have seized the principal military and political authorities in Montenegro,, thus defeating the agreement. THE POSITION OF GREECE. London, January 15. A Sofia message, received via Amsterdam, reports that French troops landed at the Piraeus and Phaleron. The report possibly originates in the Allies' systematic search of the Greek coasts and islands and of Crete, with the object of discovering German and Austrian submarine bases. The Neonasty, a Government organ at Athens, publishes articles strongly protesting against the Allies' action and states that search was made without permission of the Greek Government, which would never have sanctioned such an infringement of its rights. • The Cologne Gazette states that a strong anti-royalist demonstration is threatening in Athens. King Constantine only retains the sympathy of the high military officers and the support of the rest of the army is doubtful. THE THREATENED ATTACK. Paris, January 18. Le Temps' correspondent at Salonika says that it is reported that an attack will begin to-morrow, by the Germans and Bulgarians, along the Ghevgheli-Monastir front, while the Turks under Enver Pasha and General von Sanders will attack from the East. It is expected that General Mackensen will have supreme command. AERIAL BOMBARDMENT. Athens, January 18. Twenty-six French aeroplanes bombarded Petritsi, killing hundreds of Bulgarian soldiers and wounding a largo number. THE OCCUPATION OF CORFU. Amsterdam, January 18. Austria has protested to the United States against the occupation of Corfu, as a flagrant violation of the agreements of London, made in November, 1883. ENEMY CONCENTRATSONS. HOSTILE FORCES ABOUT SALONIKA. (Received 8.30 a.m.) Rome, January 19. The Salonika correspondent of the Giornale d'ltalia says: information is reaching headquarters that hostile forces number 320,000 are being distributed between Monastir and the extreme right wing of the Allies, 250,000 being massed, for an attack ,on the left wing and the centre, while 18,000 Turks and 30,000 Bulgars and 12,000 Germans will oppose the rigut wing. ON THE MOVE. POTSDAM BILL AT NISH. (Received 10.45 a.m.) Amsterdam, January 19. Tile Kaiser has arrived at Nish and reviewed Austrian ' and Bulgarian troops on whom he conferred decorations.

IYJONTENLCiiG'S CAPITULATION

London. January 19. A Montenegrin official message says that tha capitulation vva; duo to exhaustion of ammunition and the im(.1.,. ability to escape ::.■..'..ards, owing to thi? hostility ol the Albanian!;. Teiegrams from Cottinje describe pathetic scone; that occurred at the Kiirrender oi' tlio town. A while Hag ,■ as Itohted, and General Graham •"■ .\icholas handed over his sword i ..'eneral Hcrlees, while the officers <u .Jeneral Nicholas' staff wen,. oen era it listovic and Valutovie refused to sur- . ender and escaped and joined the Serbians. Some of the Paris newspapers, howver, express doubts as to Monteagro's sincerity. La Patrie states: Probably we have assisted in a wellitaged farce, similar to the fall of icutari in the last war. We are still nclined to think that the .Montenegrin ..'ourt, alter its feeble resistance, has ulfilled an earlier treaty with the Jentral Powers, and it must he renembered that M. Danilo is the Kai,er's cousin." Amsterdam, .January 18. A Vienna telegram states that a Montenegrin major and two Ministers ppeared at the advanced posts on 3th January and wished to open negotiations for 1 capitulation. They vere informed that they must uncon•itionally surrender their arms, blinding weapons that had been handed iown as family heirlooms. Later it .as arranged that men who were fit or military service should be assembled and literally lay down their arms. ipecial care was taken to prevent uerilla hands forming, and later the .-hole male population will be sent to i certain district. London,i January 18. The unconditional surrender of Montenegro lias aroused exultation in Merlin and Vienna, where it is haded is the first tangible indication of the altimate triumph of the Central Pow>rs. It is expected that Prince von Bulow will represent the Kaiser at the icgotiations. It is noteworthy that the publication of the news of Montenegro's lownfall synchronises with the wild rumors regarding the situation in Greece and King Constantine's position. Amsterdam. January 19. When the president of the Prussian Diet announced the capitulation of Montenegro he said: "1 hope a second will soon follow, and that the hist ..-ill have to pay the bill." There was a storm of applause, and then a deputy interjected: "We are not there yet; it's a long long way to Tipper-