THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

ON HIS DIGNITY. A MUCH-MALIGNED MONARCH?. OR A PAST MASTER IN TREACHERY! Received Dec. 7, 10.35 p.m. Athens, Dec. 7. King Constantine gave an audience to the Times correspondent. He said he was deeply grieved and hurt at the suspicions of his intentions, and mentioned that lie had always preferred England to other countries, and had spent his holidays there; but England had forgotten that he was King of Greece. His first duty was to keep Greene clear of disaster. The pitialble coi, !i----tion of Belgium was always before his eyes, and he would only consent to war if the existence of Greece was threatened, or the certainty of victory was so great that the rewards would justify the sacrifice. He added: "I have given my solemn assurance that Greece will never cherish designs against the Allies. It is an insult to think that Greece or its king is capable of treachery."

SPECIAL PLEADING. GRECO-SERBIAN TREATY. " SITUATION SUMMED-UP. WILL ADHERE TO NEUTRALITY. Received Dec. 8, 12.50 p.m. London, Dec. 7. King Constantine continued: The attack on the Dardanelles was a gamble which might or might not have succeeded, but Greece was unable to run such risks. Nor was the Allies Balkan policy very definite. If Greece joined in and the Allies decided to retire, Greece would become a second Belgium. Greece's friendly feelings had been sufficiently demonstrated when she placed the railway and telegraphs at the disposal of the forces at Salonika, and had perhaps overstepped her neutrality. King Constantine then asked sharply: "If the Allies' confidence in (Bulgaria had been justified is it suggested that Greece is now the vict»m of vexation at her unsuccessful policy elsewhere? The Greco-Sertian treaty dealt with the Balkans, and could only come into force if Bulgaria alone attacked Greece or Serbia."

He emphatically denied the rumored treaty between Greece and Bulgaria. The latter was Greece's hereditary enemy. The King said: "The present situation can be summed up in a few words. The Allied Powers made certain demands regarding the Greet: forces in Macedonia, and we replied giving moat solemn assurances that nothing detrimental to the Allies need be feared from Greece, but before we would bind ourselves to an irrevocable programme we were desirous of knowing the programme that the Allies had drawn up. In reply, we have been tokl that England and the Allies are deliberating and have no fixed programme yet decided. Can Greece in justice be invited to remove her troops to other districts, while .the Allies still are undecided whether they will occupy and hold the evacuated rejion? Though, whatever the Allies' plans may he Greece will not abandon neutrality"

King Constantine concluded by expressing his gratitude at the visits of Lord Kitchener and M Cochin, and by re-asserting that the suspicions regarding his political views and aims are unjustified and cruel. THE GREEK SITUATION. AGAINST THE ENTENTE. GERMAN BRIBES TOO TEMPTING. Received Dec. 7, 8.15 p.m. London, Dec. 7. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent says that dispatches from Italian correspondents at Salonika and Athens indicate a very serious situation, to the Allies disadvantage. There is nothing to show that the reports arc exaggerated. King Constantine's intentions are still veiled in mystery, and are causing the Allies growing concern. Despite enor. mous financial difficulties the Greek military preparations are being feverishly hastened, and are secretly intensified by fresh decreea which appear daily, covering the particular exigencies in the event ef war. New uniforms have been distributed, the winter outfits improved and strategic positions have been strongly occupied. The officers' pay has also been increased. German influences are openly at work, c»pedially among the officers, who are -brazenly advocating war against the Entente, while .closely spying the Allies' positions in Macedonia. German officers are openly discussing ways and means of neutralising an economic blockade, and are contemplating a combined German-Bulgarian attack on the Allies in Macedonia.

King Constantine is less and loss disposed to yield to the Allies. He is completely under the influence of his staff officers, who recently ostentatiously received special decorations from the Kaiser.

CONFERENCE OF COMMANDERS. AN ATTACK ON RENI. Received Dec. 7, f1.50 p.m. Athens, Dec. 7. General Pallis has gone to Salonika to confer with General Sarrail regarding the demands for the facilities of -the Entente's troops. Four Austrian monitors have left Rustchuk to attempt to bombard Reni. CAMPAIGN IN SERBIA. GERMANS WITHDRAWING TROOPS. Copenhagen, Dec. 6. Telegrams declare that as the Austriaus and Bulgarians are able to defeat the Anglo-French in Serbia the Germans are withdrawing and proceeding to other front*-