THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 248, 13 October 1908, Page 3

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

HISSSLAN MINISTER IN LONDON. OfBfFEBS WITH BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND KING EDWARD. SETTLING THE IMPENDING QUESTIONS. Received 12, 11.3 p.m. London, October li It 18 officially s tated that M. Isvols'icy, Russian .Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Sir Edward Grey, British Minister for Foreign Affairs, hail a two hours' interview on Saturday. This exchange of views affords reasonable ground for hoping that a satisfactory solution will be found tor the settlement of the pending questions. King Edward had audience of Sir Edward Grey an hour yesterday morning, aild of 11. Isvolsky lor nearly an hoar in the afternoon.

King Edward gave a dinner in honor of M. Isvolski, the guests including the Prince of Wales, Jlr. Asquith, Sir Edward Grey, and other Ministers, Sir John Fisher, General French, and Karl Beaucliamp. Sir Edward Grev' g and 11. Isvolsk/'s conferences were resumed to-day.

SERVXA AND AUSTRIA. 'j : i WHY HOSTILITIES ARE IMPOS SIBLE. Received 12, 11.3 p.m. Belgrade, October 12 The Skuptstchina held a stormy meetißg to-day. M. Milovanoviteh, Minister for Foreign Affairs, declared that one reason why hostilities were impossible was the scarcity of ammunition for the ■ew field artillery from Creuzot. The ammunition had been detained in Austrian territory. Tha leaders of all parties criticised ■e terms of the Government's note to *e Borers concerning annexation, on .?• B ronn( * the terms did not JMisiy. Servia's patriotic aspirations. Muovanovitch succeeded in convincing the House of the correctness of the Cabinet s attitude.

AUSTRIA'S BENEVOLENT FEELINGS

HOLDING OUT THE OLIVE BRANCH.

Received 1-2, 11.3 p.m. ■ , Vienna, October 12. Baron Aehrenthal, addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the AuaJtnan Delegation, emphasised Austria's benevolent.feelings towards Servia, and added that on tile occasion for the prolongation of the Danube Convention he contemplated proposing tliat Servia and Bulgaria be admitted thereto. .TURKISH PROTESTS. I BRITAIN CHEERED.

Received 12, 11.3 p.m. Constantinople, October 12. At a meeting of twenty thousand people at Adrianople it was resolved to telegraph to all the Great Powers except Austria, protesting against the uecferation of independence of Bulgaria and the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A great meeting at Salonica charged Bulgaria with attempting to disturb the waaiquility of Macedonia and revive the fratricidal struggles of the past. Cheers were raised outside tlie Consulates of Britain and Greece. The Scvrian and Bulgarian agencies wete hooted.

BERVIAS REPLY TO AUSTRIA. Received 12, 11.3 p'.m. Constantinople, October 12. Servia's reply to Austria relatm- to reservists explained that the summoning was connected with the maintenance of order in the interior. GERMANY AND TURKEY. KAISER NOT CONSULTED BY AUSTRIA. Received 12, 11.3 p.m. Constantinople, October 12. Herr Buberstea, in a written declaration, assured the Porte, on behalf of the Kaiser, tihat events in the Balkans occurred without Germany's upinion having been previously obtained. BRITISH REPLY TO MONTENEGRO. Received 12, 11.3 p.m. Ikmdon, October 12. Sir Edward Grey, in reply to Montenegro's protest, declared that the annexation was a violation of the Treaty of Berlin.

BRITAIN THANKED. Received 12, 11.3 p.m. Oattinje, October 12. A great meeting thanking Britain was held at Cettinje. The Austrian Consulate shield was burnt at Antivori. DEMONSTRATION AT BELGRADE. SERVIAN PARLIAMENT DECLARE AGAINST WAR Belgrade, October 11. Huge crowds demonstrated before the Crown Prince's Palace at Belgrade. •Tie Prince, addressing uae people, * said: "I share your feelings, i hope that in a few days we shall be able to give our lives for our King and Fatherland." (The statement was greeted with frantic cheers. Professor Johanovic'fl, a leading agitator for war, has been elected president.

(The Skuptsehina held a secret sitting and, by 93 votes to 66, decided against war.

Bervia has despatched a pacific reply to Austria's demand for an explanation o! Servians action in calling out ithe reserves. This action is stated to be due to international necessities and a great numerical shortage in the Serbian Army. THE FINANCIAL BAROMETER. London, October 11. The deep depression on the Stock Esdhange was due to speculators rushing to realise. The collapse would have been greater but that the big South African houses supported the market. Consols are now at £B-1 7s Gd.

One interesting feature about Bulgaria is that the land is all divided amongst the farmers on lease ill perpetuity. There is no freehold, as the Government is the nominal bolder of ail the land, the farmers paying rental >v way of taxation, except in regard to .woodland and pasture lands which are 'shared by all members of the Communes without payment to the State. Of the whole country forty-eight per cent. i» under pasture, twenty-five per cent, under cereal and vegetable cultivation, one and a-half per cent, under vine-1 yards, and seventeen per cent, under forest and commons. They raise up io 40,000,000 bushels of maize, and a lot of barley, oats, rye, and potatoes annu'ally, as well as attar of roses and grapes. .Sofia, the capital, is a fine town about the size of Wellington, electrieJighted and trammed, and generally up-to-date.

CABLE NEWS (By Gable.—Press Association,—'Copy* right.)