THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 252, 17 October 1908, Page 2

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

\X IMPORTANT ANNOINCEMJSXr. CONI'KKKNt.'I-: BETWEEN RUSSIA AND IMITAI.Y. A SATISFACTORY RESULT. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. Received lli, MUM p.m. ' Umdun, October 111. The following aiinounceiueiit regaling liie agreement between Sir Edwu'.d lirej (l.nlish Minister I'm- Foreign Aflairsi ami Al. l-vol«ky (Russian .Minister for Korean Allain.) has been Uhu-.-(1 hv the Foreign Olliee.- -

The eM-hnngc of views between 11. UvoUkv and Sir Edward lirey have led to a complete agreement. regarding the Near Ka>i. It is agreed that a tonfereiiee is necessary, lull lo ensure su. • cess (rcnlliiming resjuct lor the law <il uat'oiis and making reparation to tliov.' injured) it is the conference should In' limited in its scope and (hv.l exclusively with the ipiesiioiis arising I nun Ihe violations ot the Xrealv of llerl ii.

The lii.-t object of the conference i" the compensation of Turkey. Oil this point there seems general agreement among the Powers. Provision must also be made lo effectively strengthen the prcscm regime in Turkey, which all'ords I lie best safeguard lor the iiiaiiiU'liiinee of peace. It is likewise hoped that menu- will be found to meet the reasonable wishes oi the .smaller lialkan States, bill not at Turkey's expense. There is good reason lo believe Hull the Cretan ipiestion will lie satisu'-" torily ih'iilt with, ulthoiigli provisionally excluded from the scope of the conference as being in tin' first instance a cpicstiun for the discussion between Turkey uml the protecting Power. It is hoped the .moderation, rcasnnublciicHs, mid disinterestedness of the»o views will commend them to the signatories. It wits- not intended to submit the question of the Dardanelles lo the conference. It was a question wherein Kussia and Turkey were primarily concerned. There was no desire on Russia's part to settle it in any sense "hostile to Turkey or seek for compensation, inasmuch as Russia enters the cout'eronic as one of the nisinterested Powers. It is Dually declared that the subjects arising under the Anglo-Russian convention have been reviewed, and the discussion proved the identity of the views of the two Ministers, which promised a continuance of the cordial and harmonious co-operation of the two Governments in the settlement of the Central Asian question.

SOLVING A DIFFICULT QUESTION". THE ANG LO-RUSSiAX-FREXCH UXDERSTAXDIXG. Received 10, 11.1 p.m. Paris, October 10. M. Pichon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, interviewed regarding the Balkan question, said it must be .solved by an unanimous, equitable, and cordial agreement on the piyt of Europe. The Anglo • Russian - French understanding was closer than ever. BRITAIN AS A CHAMPION OF TURKEY., Received 10, 11.1 p.m. London, October 10. The Times, commenting on Russia's abnegation and self-restraint, says it is profoundly gratifying to find ourselves side by side with new Russia iu championing the rights of a new Turkey. MILITARY ACTIVITY IX BUWSARLV. TURKEY'S POSITION. Received 10, 11,1 p.m. , Constantinople, October 10. The Porte, i u a circular to her Ambassadors abroad regarding military, activity in Bulgaria, reiterates Turkey j pacific intentions, and adds that should Bulgaria persist in her present attitude, Turkey will reluctantly be compelled, to take precautionary measures, and would decline responsibility in the event of a conflict occurring.

BULGARIA TALKING FIGHT. Sofia, October 15. The military party is getting the upper hand in Bulgaria, Si. Slalinoff, the Premier, state* tha't if Europe exacts a ransom aa the price of Bulgaria's independence tine country will prefer to fight. Germany and Austria have Intimated that Bulgaria must obtain the Porto's consent before negotiating with tlte? Orient Railway Company, adding that, the recognition of Bulgaria's independence is dependent on a satisfactory settlement of the company's claim*. FEDERATION OF THE BALKANS. St. Petersburg, October 13. The Xovoc Vreniya advocates tiii federation of the Balkan Stntcs under. a regenerated Turkish leadership a* the best possible defence of Balkan interests against Austrian attack. A SOLUTION oTthE QUESTION. ' ENGLAND REPROACHED. London, October 13. Leadms French newspapers support the Human wishes with reference to the Dardanelles, and suggest that a good solution of the question would ba to leave the passage open in time* of peace and close it in war time If Torkey so (>sires. Le Temps reproacSics Engand lor pillaging Turkey in the past by taking Cyprus and Egypt from her control. AUSTRIA ANDTHE CONFERENCE.

Vienna, October 13. lAustria declines to agree to a conifer- - ence on the Balkan question unless the annexation of Bosnia and Hcrezgovina is acceptedas an accomplished fact and legalised without discussion.