WAR DECLARED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 121, 9 October 1912, Page 5

WAR DECLARED

MONTENEGRO TAKES THE INITIATIVE.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.

Received 9, 1.5 a.m. London, October 8,

A Reuter message says that Monte-

negro has officially declared war.

THE VILLAYETS LAW. Received 8, 10.30 p.m. Paris, October 8. The Turkish Ambassador has informed RT. Poincare of the decision to apply the Villayets Law of 1880 to the Roumelian districts.

AN AVIATOR UNDER FIRE.

Received 8, 11.55 p.m,

Rome, October 8. •The Turks at Benghazi fired on Lieutenant Vece, who was flying 3000 feet above their encampment. The shells exploded three hundred feet below the aeroplane. Vece's snapshots ehow the Turkish guns were tied to trees and pointing skywards.

STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT.

London, October 7.

Sir Edward Grey, replying to Mr. Bonar Law, said that it would be difficult for Turkey to proceed with reforms in view of the mobilisations. Likewise, it would be. difficult to convince the Balkan States that the promised reforms would be effective in promoting the welfare of Macedonia. Eence the Powers had agreed on collective steps to overcome these difficulties, by means of representations to the Balkan States and to Constantinople. He believed that if the peace Were broken, none of the great Powers would be involved.

PEACE PROSPECTS.

Constantinople, October 7.

Eleven Greek merchantmen, which ■were detained in the Dardanelles, have proceeded to Constantinople.

Austria and Russia, on behalf of the Powers, are making joint representations to the Balkan States, and the Powers are making collective representations to the Porte. The outlook foi peace is now more hopeful.

INDIAN-MOSLEMS EXCITED.

Calcutta, October 7.

An enormous meeting of Moslems adopted a violent resolution, regarding the Balkans. Speakers accused the Christian Powers of conspiring to rob the Moslems of territories, and added that the cry of "Allah! Allah!" would regound throughout the world.

THE POWERS' ULTIMATUM.

SOME. CRITICISMS. Paris, October 7. 1 It is reported that Sir Edward Grey takes exception to the phrase that the Powers have resolved to take in hand the realisation of the reforms which MM. Poincare and Sazanoff deem essential. Sir Edward Grey considers that the wording is incompatible with Turkey's independence, and reduces the eountry to the level of Persia.

Le Temps criticises England's attitude, so different from the humanitarian enthusiasm in 1876.

Vienna, October 7.

Austria woidd substitute the word for "Carlatian population," and preferred a verbal representation to the Porte to written communications.

Newspaper comment suggests that Austria dislikes the role of policeman, which might prove expensive and tend to ruin Austrian trade with the Balkans. She could prevent Servia annexing any country, but who could make Bulgaria withdraw if victorious? —certainly not Russia. The newspapers add that Austria is apprehensive of a Servian invasion of Novibazar, and fears that the Greeks will land at Salonika. Rome, October 7.

Italy will join the Powers, but declines to interfere at Constantinople until peace has been concluded. Constantinople. October 7.

K is reported that the Porte is applying in Macedonia the reforms drawn up in 1880 for oriental Roumelia. The court-martial condemned a iJeslem to death for the Kocliana massacre, and another to penal servitude. Several minor sentences were passed. Russia, is threatening to demand an indemnity from Turkey for detaining Russian grain carried in Greek ships.