BALKANS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1916, Page 5

BALKANS

BULGAR IjCING ILL RI'MORED ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE, ■Rome March 3. King Ferdinand ia ostensibly ill at Coburg. It is rumored that an attempt was maon 'his life when he ■,va« heweward 'jound from Vienna. SHAMING ILLNESS. Rome, March 3. Roumanian despatches state that KJu J Ferdinand is shamming bronchitis f«r the purpose of delaying his return te Sofia, where he fears assassination. The discontent in Bulgaria is so strong that King Ferdinand Ims been advised not to return till a German victory promises an early termination of the war. It is pointed out that Ferdinand's bronchitis developed consequent on the failure of the attack on Verdun. • \ CROWING DISSENSIONS, BETYREEN AUSTRIANS Aac ' GERMANS. ; . Londen, March 3. Major Ajpland, who has 1 returned from Serbia via Vienr.a, says that there ia growing irritation between the Auatriana and the Germans. The latter have requisitioned nearly all the food and live stock in Serbia, leaving the Austrian* to garrison the country. The latter do not conceal their disgust at the Germans' over-bearing conduct and are fast becoming disillusioned. Many of the ofl}cers declare!# that they would welcome peace. Major Aspland remarks on the strong contrast between Austrian courtesy and German brutality while he wa« on the journey. The German officers jeer at the Austrians for assisting tho ''English swine."

| The American Ambassador it Vienna , told Major Aspland that the Austrian i War Minister had said the Govern stent . wished to behave generously towards the British. Major Aspland admits that his release with ten others was a pure act of grace. r'W.Y AND THE SALONIKA LANDING. Rome, March 3. Barm: Sonnino is expected to make a 1 sensational address in the Chamber today justifying Italy's non-participation in the Salonika landing. Shortly after Bulgaria mobilised, Count Bo*'dari, Italian Minister at Sofia, notified his Government of the 'Bulgarians' iatention to join Germany. Italy eemmunicated with England and France urging the occupation of Salonika i i order to save Serbia, but Sir K. Grev and M. Viviani refused, believing that Bulgaria would join the 1 Allies. When France and England discovered their mistake they at once invited Italy to join in the Salonika expedition, but Ttaly declined, saying that it was ttow too late to save Serbia, RUMANIAN TROOPS* MASSING OK BTJLGAR FRONTIER. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received March 4, 5.5 p m. London, March 3. Salonika report* that Rumanian trooni ksjmmjm PB