THE BALKAN TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 180, 17 December 1912, Page 5

THE BALKAN TROUBLE.

THE PEACE CONFERENCE. ttf Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, December 15. At a preliminary gathering the delegates settled the procedure and the terms of peace which they would offer to Turkey. Then, after peace has been •eeured, they will settle the Balkan boundaries. It is believed that the conference possesses full knowledge of what the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance »re willing to ratify. • M. Daneff, interviewed, reaffirmed the Unanimity of the Allies on all questions. A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. Athens, December 15. JTwo Greek destroyers are at the entrance to the Dardanelles. One shelled the forts and the other attacked a Turkish destroyer. The latter took refuge in the Straits. The cruiser Medjidieh emerged and fired upon the destroyers, but six others appeared and the Medjidieh retreated to the shelter of the forts. THE FIGHT AT JANINA. Athens, December 15. After a lively cannonade the Turks evacuated the lines and took shelter in the fortifications surrounding Janina. AUSTRIAN DEMONSTRATIONS. London, December 15. Reuter's Paris correspondent states that in consequence of ever-growing military measures, Servia has complained to Austria of anti-Servian demonstrations, particularly opposite Belgrade.

INCREASED TURKISH CONFIDENCE.

London, December 15.

M. Novakitch will preside at the Peace Conference unless the Turks object, in which case the chief of each mission will preside alternately. All accounts agree that Turkish self-con-fidence is increasing. They now hold ft formidable position with fresh, troops. These circumstances stiffen the Turkish delegates, who will not accept or object to names.

A GREEK VICTORY.

DESPERATE FIGHTING NEAR JANINA.

Received 16, 5.5 p.m

Athens, December 16.

The Greeks occupied Scala Paramythid, an important point in the Janina district, after a desperate all-day fight. Bixty Turks were captured. Details of Thursday's battle near Janina state that the Turks held a strongly entrenched position, supported by thirty guns. The Greeks advanced on the Turkish left flank up a steep slope in the face of a heavy fire. Two hundred fell in a few minutes. The advance continued to the trenches, which ■were charged with fixed bayonets. Fierce hand-to-hand conflicts occurred with the flank, whereupon the whole Turkish line retired. The Greeks captured seven puns.

AUSTRIA'S PREPARATIONS. Received 16, 10.55 p.m. Berlin, December 16. The Vossiche Zeitung says that Austria's preparations will be completed by next Friday. The Adriatic incident is an insufficient explanation of her preparations, which probably arise from a determination to show Servia who is master. There is a strong assumption that the Archduke Francis Ferdinand is the moving spirit. PROVISIONS FOR BULGARIA. Received 16, 10.55 p.m. Sofia, December 16. Several train loads of provisions for the Bulgarians at Chataldja have passed through Adrianople. A TRIBUTE TO THE ARMIES. Received 16, 10.55 p.m. Sofia, December 16. The King's speech at the opening of the Sobranje, paid a tribute to the armies' fearlessness and self-sacrifice. He hoped that the peace conference would result in a treaty satisfactory to the Allies and commensurate with the costly sacrifices already Tnade. AN AGGRESSIVE CRITICISM. Received 16, 10.50 p.m. Sofia, December 16. The newspaper Mir states that a bellicose spirit impregnates the Sobranje, and declares that the chances of peace are insignificant, and that instead of plenipotentiaries it will be guns that will again speak. It adds that all the territories occupied and the places besieged ought to become the victors' property. THE PEACE PROSPECTS. THE ALLIES' DEMANDS. Received 16. 10.55 p.m. Paris. December 16. M. Danefr. interviewed by Le Temps, stated that the chief points for set'flement by the Allies were the new frontiers in Turkey and questions relating to the future of Adrianople. the Adriatic and the Aegean Tsles. Bulgaria insists on the possession of Adrianople. If Turkey refuses, war will begin again. If the Powers' ideas on the Adriatic and the Aegean Isles are communicated to the conference, they will be deferentially discussed. If there is no communication, then Turkey will be asked to satisfy the desiderata of the Allies, who will also claim indemnity.