ON BALKAN SOIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1915, Page 5

ON BALKAN SOIL.

ALLIES LAND AT SALONIKA. Wellington, Last Night. The High Commissioner reports, under date London, October 5, 5.55 a.m.: — The Morning Post's Athena correspondent states that the Allied forces have landed at Salonika, FORMAL GREEK PROTEST. THE ALLIES' MISSION. GREEK UNANIMITY. Received Oct. 5, 10 p.m. Athens, Oct. 5. The projected landing of troops at Salonika lias aroused uneasiness, necessitating the British and French Ministers issuing reassuring declarations. The Ministers point out that the Allies have a mission to defend the railway against Bulgaria, and succour Serbia. They will co-operate with Greece if the latter joins the combatants. The Greek Government has issued a formal protest against the landing. The public accept the necessity for the step, though they regret that it is .unavoidable.

A well-known Greek politician states that a protest, pro forma, could have been avoided if some mistakes had not been committed. It was absurd to compare the landing with the violation of Belgian neutrality.

Complete unanimity exists among the governing factors that if Bulgaria attacks Serbia Greece will go to the Allies' assistance.

Bucharest, Oct. 5,

A Bulgarian patrol, opposite Zimmitzu, on Tuesday harmlessly fired on Roumanian fishermen, in Roumanian waters. A DELUDED RULER. WHO WOULD NOT LISTEN TO REASON. A ' TiII,LING OONFKIIKXVK.

A CASE OF "MIND YOU! HEAD." Received Oct. 5, 8.55 p,m. London, Oct. 4, The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent gives a verbatim report of the interview between King Ferdinand and the Opposition leaders in September. M. Malinoll, the Democratic leader, addre.-sing the King, said the Government's policy to throw Bulgaria, into the arms oi' Germany was contrary to the aspirations, and interests of the country, and added: 'lf the Government obstinately continues, it will provoke disturbances of the greatest gravity." The King did not reply.

M. Stambulivski, representing the Agrarians, said: "Speaking on behalf ot every farmer in Bulgaria, wc held the King personally responsible for the disastrous adventure of 1913. It will be irreparable if the adventure is repeated, and the nation will not hesitate to call you personally to account." M. Zanoff, leader of the Radicals, said: 'I had sworn never again to set foot in your palace, hut my interest in ruy country compels me to protect it at this juncture." M. GueshofT, a former Premier, supported the protests of ail leaders, and handed in a written communication summing up their views. They awaited the King's reply for some time, and then King Ferdinand rose and said: "Gentlemen, you have delivered your threats. I will refer them to the President of the Council of Ministers, and he will decide what to do."

A chilly silence followed, the King paring to and fro. He. nervously attempted to change the conversation, but M. Zanoff abruptly intervened: 'We cannot on any account approve of an anti-Russian policy. If Bulgaria repeats the criminal folly of 11113 it will be a premeditated crime, deserving punishment.''

The King replied, frigidly: "The policy which I have decided to i'ollow is that which I consider to lie the best for the welfare of the country.'' I 11, iStawbuJivski retorted: 'lt is a policy that will only bring misfortune, and compromise not only the future of the country tout your dynasty, I.t may cost you your head." King Ferdinand appeared astonished. I"I don't itiind ray head," he said: "it is already old. Rather, mind your own.'' (Cables from Athens and Sofia on September 10 stated as follows: —It is reported from .Sofia that Kin" Ferdinand received the leaders o!' the Opposition, who expressed themselves opposed to the Government's Germanophile policy, and recommended the formation of a new Government. The King promised to seriously consider the suggestion.—Athens. Leaders of the live political parties representing the Opposition had a two and a half hour's audience with the King, the Crown Prince, and 11. Dobroviteh, the King's chief counsellor. The deputation urged that it would be fatal to adopt: a neutral attitude, and recommended a coalition Cabinet and th-e immediate summoning l of the Sobranje to safeguard the country against a policy contrary to the interests and sentiments of the nation. The reception of the deputation has relieved public feeling.—Sofia.)

SHEER SUICIDE. BULGARIA'S TRAGIC COMPLIANCE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received Oct. ii, r>."> p.m. London. Oct. *>. The Times, in an article, states that Russia lias taken the only possible course by issuing an ultimatum, but the fear of a stern protest will not deter Bulgaria's ruler and his pliant Ministers from pursuing a course violating the whole spirit of the brief history ol modem Bulgaria in the Balkans. It is a sad story. There has been no sight more mournful nor more tragic than the preparations of Bulgaria, to shatter every prospect of Balkan unity by marching into battle beside the Turks, who have oppressed the Bulgarian race for five hundred years. The path tint Bulgaria lias tn'ren »r P Hi ■.:'•!.