The Balkan War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 272, 9 April 1913, Page 5

The Balkan War

THE NAVAL DEMONSTRATION. REFERENCE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. i» By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. London, April 7. Sir Edward Grey, in the House of Commons, said that Britain was participating in the naval demonstration because she favored an autonomous Albania. Agreement among the Towers was essential for European peace, and was only just accomplished in time to preserve peace. It was a long time since the war had ceased to be a war of liberation, but there was no reason why sympathy should not be extended to Albania, which was fighting for its life, lands, languages and religion.

BLOCKADE OF MONTENEGRIN COAST. Paris, April 7. A blockade of the Montenegrin coast has been ordered unless the demands of the Powers are satisfied within the next throe days. PROPOSED EXTENSION. Vicuna, April 7. Austria-Hungary proposed that the blockade should be extended to San Giovanni and Durazzo. THE INTERNATIONAL SQUADRON. 'ALLIES EVADING FINAL SETTLEMENT. V SLAV AGITATION DANGEROUS. MONTENEGRO DEFIES EUROPE. Received 8. 11.30 p.m. London, April 8. Admiral Blimey, not Admiral Tronbridge, commands the international squadron. Diplomatic circles believe that the Allies are systematically evading a final settlement until Scutari is captured. In the TTouse of Commons, Sir Edward Grey said that Admiral Burney was instructed to join in consultation with the other internationals on practicable means of exerting pressure on Montenegro, but landing naval brigades and field guns, or actual bombardment would , not be undertaken without further in- : structions. The war in Albania had become a war of conquest, not bearing on the war in Turkey. Hence the Government's non-hesitation in joining in the agreement of the Powers, believing it to be in accord with humanity, liberty and justice. Mr. Dollar Law supported Mr. Asquith in opposing discussion on the naval demonstration at present. The Daily Telegraph's St. Petcrburg correspondent states that the Slav agitation is spreading dangerously. The leaders are convinced Austria is afraid of war. Germany had grasped the new situation; hence the new Navy Bill. France realised the position, foreshadowing the German-Slav con diet. England alone put a spoke in the wheel of fortune, believing that she was working for peace, whereas she was endeavoring to stem the Slav tide with a broomstick. Montenegro defies Europe because she speaks with the voice of Slavdom.

A CREEK BOMBARDMENT. Received fl. 12.10 a.m. Athens, April 8. A Creek destroyer bombarded the military •.■amps near Smyrna, where it alleged the Turks are concentrating, preparatory to landing troops at Chios. Eight Turks wen; killed and 120 wounded. FAT) INCIDENT RECALLED. YOCTIII-TL RECRUITS DECL . MATED. Received 9,12. 1.0 a,m. . Sofia, April 8. The two Sofia regimen's decimated early in the war. owing to injudicious handlim, were recruited from the youths of the best families. Tliev were sent to Chatahljn. and placed in positions where thev were unlikely to be attacked. The Turks, learning of their inexperience, outflanked thorn and killed the majority. The incident caused a revulsion among those prominent in favor of peace.

A SERVIAN VICTORY. Received !). 12.10 a.m. Belgrade, April 8. A semi-official despatch states that Dgavidpasha was routed at Liousme in a despatch engagement, his troops flying in disorder. The Servians occupied Liousme and captured fifteen hundred Turks, several officers, and sixity administrative officials. TROUBLE AT THE PORTE. POPULATION incensed: RECENT TURKISH LOSSES. (Sydney Sim's Special Service.) London. March 31. Tn Constantinople the Cabinet is considered to have hern gravely compromised llv recent events. If the (V.'and Vizier, Phevket, Pasha, should resign as a result of his advocacy of and preference for peace, the utmost dill'icult.v will be experienced in finding a successor. The Opposition leaders have all declined to join a coalition.

The populace is excited over the fall of Adrianople and the «>xn;r?erate<? statements re«nrilin<; the »I(in«l>ti'r of Moslems in Salnn'ka. The Turkish losses in the recent reverses are placed at three thousand hilled, wounded and missing. ALBAXTAX FROXTTKtt*. ADVICE FROM OKRMAXY. London. Ala veil ,11. The Xorth r,'aze(fn says that the eaiUttve of Adrianople after a heroie r n sisteiiee, instead of a surrender dur'ni the nonce negotiation- 5 , makes easier for Tu-l;c" to accent the conditions of the powers. Til" naner hone* (hat the Allies' reply will hj" favnurali'e. the Powers am in rnitv, air' tlif deliniinat.imi of Albania ; s assured as reyo'-ds the sn"l.herii frontier, which is politicall" of no moment, "In r.dtini" it is l!ioii<rlil that (lie w'r.iliw «l will continue. be--11: • Potts will, owhjr to the in-

accessible nature of the country, be unable to enforce their demands. "PRISONERS" OF WAR. TURKISH OFFICERS IN CLOVER. London, March 31. Shukri Pasha, the defender of Adrianople, and his staff are now "prisoners" in Sofia. They have been accommodated in a palatial hotel, and allotted sumptuous apartments replete with every comfort and luxury. Shukri Pasha has thanked the military commandant of the Bulgarian capital, remarking, "AVe could not have had better treatment even in Constantinople." AUSTRIA DISTURBED. STUBBORN KING NICHOLAS. London, March 31. Vienna, is uneasy at the defiance of Montenegro, which may not only entail drastic action on the ' part of Austria, but may mean a closer union between Montenegro and Servia. But the disappointment in the little country is likely to involve .serious consequences. It has been reported that King Nicholas was dead, but this story is groundless. lie is suffering from shock as a result of the Powers' decision re-1 garding Albania, which means the complete destruction of his long-cherished hopes. Servia considers that the Powers' request for her to withdraw her troops from Albian territory is ungracious, in view of the promise already given by lier to evacuate the country on the conclusion of peace. "OCEANS OF BLOOD." LOSES AT ADRIANOPLE. London. March 31. The Times correspondent at Adrianople says that the Turkish losses were ten thousand and the Bulgarians' seven thousand. The success of the n«nult was largely duti to the Servian artillery fire. The Tasvuevkar. a Constantinople newspaper, savs that vensreanee can only be taken in "oceans of blood."