THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 205, 18 January 1913, Page 8

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

. s THEN AND NOW. Auckland, January 15. The first news cablegram transmitted directly from London to New Zealand was published on August 16, 1878. In recalling this interesting fact at the Paci-, fic Cable Board's luncheon, Mr. H. Horton ' remarked that, strangely, that first message dealt with the "Balkan crisis." It stated that during trie debate in the House of Commons on the Eastern ques- ! tion, Mr. Bruce moved that the Government, respecting existing treaties, should exercise its influence to secure the welfare and equal treatment of the different religions 1 in Turkey. This suggested an enquiry regarding the progress that European diplomacy had made in 36% years. The message also reported that "the Servians are stubbornly disputing the advances of the Turks." Mr. Horton also quoted the concluding sentence of a leading article of that time. "Happily, England seems determined, to keep clear of the struggle. Events, however may arise causing great danger to England's interests. Turkey may get into such a state that Russia or Austria may feel compelled to interfere in friendship or in antagonism, and the other nations of Europe could hardly stand by and see the whole of the Turkish Empire seized by one of these Powers or divided/between them."