THE BALKAN WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 289, 29 April 1913, Page 5

THE BALKAN WAR.

A DEEPENING CLOUD.

AUSTRIA THREATENS WAR,

TROOPS DESPATCHED TO THE FRONT.

,* By Cable-Press Association-Copyright. Received 28, 9.5 p.m. Berlin, April 28. The newspapers give prominence to telegrams from Vienna, apparently of M. Berchtold's inspiration, threatening that unless to-day's London conference of ambassadors recommends the prompt coercion of the Montenegrins, AustriaHungary'will instantly take independent ,/wtibn.

The,Lokal Anzeiger's Vienna correspondent states that a Note hag been sent warning the Powers of Austria's intentions. The correspondent quotes' a high Austrian personage as saying: In four days we shall be in Antivari." The Vossiche Zeitung's Trieste correspondent says'that a naval division has sailed with 10,000 troops. The intention is to occupy Antivari, Dulcigno and San Giovanni, and their advance against Cettinge from the heights of Budua and ißisano. I

Vienna, April 23,

Official organs declare that a European mandate is unnecessary. Austria is acting as a reluctant but loyal executor for Europe. "Will," they ask, "diplomatists be convinced that Austria should be left to move alone,, knowing that none of the Powers are favoring force!"

Europe still optimistic.

RUSSIA'S FRIENDLINESS.

Received 28, 12.25 a-m. London, April 28. The latest Continental messages still «how official optimism concerning the vitality of the European Concert. Russia is orally friendly, and has counselled Austria to -refrain from precipitate action, inasmuch as it means persuading King Nicholas td respect Europe's wishes. There are indications that the Emperor Josef's statesmanship is now playing a great role in the maintenance of a pacific, policy. x - The Powers' representatives at Cettinje, including the Russian representative, have presented the demand for the evacuation of Scutari.

Essad Pasha had a great welcome at . Alessit Adadut. There was festive firing by his artillery. It is reported in Belgrade and Servia that as part of Essad's plan King Nicho- : las is transporting heavy guns from Scuy" tari to Idvneen Mountain.

AdvicW from Salonika, dated April 14, state that- a Bulgarian regiment has been provisionally retained at Salonika.

THE ALBANIAN /THRONE.

ESSAD PASHA TO BE KING.

A SUCCESSFUL INTRIGUE.

STORMING OF SCUTARI A FARCE.

Received 28, 8.40 p.m.

Cettinje, April 27.

Essad Pasha has 'proclaimed himself King of Albania, at Alessio. According to one report, he placed the Kingdom under the Sultan's sovereignty.

Paris, April 28.

The Due de Montpensier announces that he resolutely declines the recent offer of the Albanian throne. No crown will induce him to relinquish h'fs two titles as a French citizen and a French

prince. Essad. Pasha's proclamation of himself as King of an independent Albania has been confirmed. He has 40,000 troops, including Djavid's 10,00(T. Djavid will become Essad's War Minister. The storming of Scutari was a farce, Essad surrendering after a regular compact with King Nicholas, the latter to obtain Scutari and Essad to take the • ' remainder of Central od Northern Albania. The Essad-Nicholas alliance in Montcj negro keeps Tarahosch on the ridge of [ the Boyana Valley, while Scutari town becomes Albanian. The fact that Essad I' has a great following anong the Albanian tribes assures his tuccess.

/*- THE ALLIES AND AUSTRIA.

A CRUCIAL POSITION.

Paris, April 27.

A Belgrade correspondent states that Servia has informed the Powers that should Austria, with or without Europe's mandate, take the field against Montenegro, the four Allies will unite against her.

According to the Temps' correspondent Essad's capitulation was arranged with the Montenegrins to enable him to proclaim himself ruler of Albania. Essad belongs to a great Albanian family. Vienna, April 27.

All the Powers* representatives at Cettinge, except Russia, have been instructed to summon Montenegro to quit Scutari. ;, fc AUSTRIA'S POLICY. [ Vienna, April 27. (* The FremdenMatt says that AustriaHungary must insist on the speedy and thorough enforcement of the Powers' decision.

It is stated that the Powers have agreed that the ruler of Albania shall be styled King.

Berlin, April 27.

Herr Jagow, Foreign Minister, speakin" in the Reichstag, said that the Powers had intimated that the capture of Scutari in nowise altered the previous decision. The last conference of Ambassadors decided to call upon King Nicholas to evacuate the region round Scutari, and if he does not comply with the order further steps will be considered.

Vienna, April 27

Herr Bcrchtold, Foreign Minister, and . General Hoetzendorff, War Minister, had

an audience lasting two hours with the Emperor Francis Josef. Germany has promised to support Austria in all circumstances. GRAECO-BULGARIAN DIFFERENCES.! THE SALONIKA QUESTION.' London, Apiiil '.27. The announcement at Salonika <of the sudden withdrawal of all the Bulgarian troops within the next three days to Serres is interpreted rn diplomatic circles in Louden as c6nnected with the grave' Graeco-Bolgarian differences. The Greeks have latterly concentrated considerable forces in the vicinity of the port, ajid the Bulgarian commander at Serres was probmbly alarmed at the isolated position iof the comparatively small Bulgarian forces at Salonika. The withdrawal is .not .interpreted as an abandonment >of the Bulgarian claim to the port. Further 'developments are awaited with great anxiety. Advices from Corfu state that the Servian Jieavy artillery has arrived from San Giovanni and proceeded to Salonika. Eleven transports at San Giovanni- are. embarkimj teoqps for Salonika. THE TEACE PRELIMINARIES. Constantinople, April 27. The JPorte has selected London for the signature of the peace preliminaries. THE SURRENDER OF SCUTARI.

Cettinje, April 2".

M. W>uko/utch?s -first interview with Essad IPasha lasted a'day. The latter rejected the demand for the surrender of all artillery, sand 'further bombardment followed. iKing .-Nicholas sent M. Vukowitdli -again, -with instructions to treat *he Turks chivalrously. Vizams to the number of -.26,000, 5000 BashiBaxouks and 458 officers, including a number'of Austrians, then surrendered. Prompt orders were given to occupy the AasMan and Italian consulates and the Cathedral, and to distribute food to the,' starving. During .the'ilast days of the siege a threatening mob followed Essad Pieha Shouting ■''Bread- or surrender!"'

'CONGRATULATIONS FROM. .AUSTRALIA. '• i : V

Received -.28, ,10.55 p.m. jj; . April 28,

The Creek community has cabled to King Nicholas their rejoicing at' the glorious victory (df their valiant brothers, the Montenegrins.