BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1916, Page 5

BALKANS.

THE TURKISH CRISIS, « ■POSITION* AT CONSTANTINOPLE. London, March 14. Mr, Jefferies wrote from Salonika that the latest information from Constantinople lessens the probability of insurrection. Ten thousand Austro-German troops are in the city and Turkish control has vanished. The Young Turks suspected the Heir Apparent, but won him over with a large pension. The Daily Telegraph Ath ens correspondent says that u reliable military correspondent's uncensored letter describes the situation in Constantinople as most critical. Turkey is unable seriously to oppose a further Russian advance in., Asia Minor, where 30,000 Cossacks are operating. Despite German endeavors it is impossible to move more than four trains from Ilaidar Pasha (a harbor in Asia Minor opposite Constantinople) to Angora and from Haidar Pasha to Konia daily. These are hampered by the scarcity of coal. Moreover, owing to the fears of the Young Turks regarding Bulgaria it is impossible to withdraw troops from Europe, while a local revolution in Syria is probable, especially if the Allies land on the Syrian coast. The Turkish army in Mesopotamia is threatened with annihilation in the event of an Anglo-Russian junction. The Bulgarian Government is seriously alarmed at the probability of Turkey's collapse, and is considering how Bulgaria can seek safety by a separate peace.

A SIGNIFICANT MOVE. WAR VOTE PASSED. Bucharest, March I'-l. Parliament lias agreed to the War Office vote of sixteen millions sterling. It is officially announced that Generals Avescu, Cotwcu, and Presau have been nominated commanders of the three Roumanian army cerps.

BULGARIANS ANXIOUS. ABOUT VERDUN ISSUE. Bucharest, March 14. It is reported that M. Radoslavoff, the Bulgarian Premier declared to a group of deputies that the result at Verdun would show whether God was for or against them. He believed that Bulgarian politicians would not hesitate to desert Germany if the attack failed, and Berlin and Vienna were fully aware of this, GERMAN REQUEST DECLINED. Bucharest, March 14. Germany has asked Bulgaria to send two divisions to the French front. Bulgaria has refused, owing to Roumanian uncertain attitude. GERMAN SUBMARINES AT THE DARDANELLES. Athens, March 14. Five German submarines of 1000 tons displacement have entered, or are about to enter, the Dardanelles and break seaward.