BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1916, Page 5

BALKANS.

GREEK RAILWAYS. FOR TRANSPORT OF SERBIANS. Athens, April 10. Sir Francis Elliot, British Ambassador, emphasised that the transport of Serbians across Greece was due exclusively to the submarine danger, and tlie sovereign rights of Greece were in no wise prejudiced. Tho British Minister, interviewed by the Nea Hellas, said that had Greece properly watched her own waters and coast the need for transporting Serbian troops on Greek railways would not have arisen. GREECE'S DILEMMA. "BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE 'DEEP SEA. TRANSPORT OF THE SERBIANS. Received April 17, 9.5 p.m. London, April 17. The Daily Chronicle says that Mr. Martin Donolioe, from Athens, reports that excitement runs high. As a condition of the transport of the Serbians it was originally proposed shipping them at Corfu, and three days later to disembark at Salonika, but the voyage was full of peril to troopships, and the Allies determined oii the sea journey of twelve hours to Patras, and thence by the Peloponnesian railway, via Athens. The Greek Government offered strong opposition, whereupon tho Allies informed M, Skouloudis that Greece's official sanction ivas immaterial, as the Allies would not permit the Greeks to interfere with their plan of operations. Learning of the scheme, Austro-Germany c-mphatically intervened, and told Greece that it would be regarded as aii unfriendly act if she remained passive and permitted the Serbians to reach the firing line.

The Allies then indicated thai they also would have recourse to strong measures if the Greeks thwarted their designs.

M. Skouloudis is now seeking peace able escape from his dilemma.

GREEK MINISTERIAL CRISIS. PREMIER NOT BELIEVED. Athens, April 10. M. Skouloudis, the Greek Premier, in the Chamber, denied promising or sending sacks to Bulgaria. No member of the Government was concerned in the matter. Diplomatists consider the Premier's declarations insufficient. The Chamber unexpectedly adjourned until May 3. This is attributed to the Ministerial situation. BASE AT SUDA BAY. Received April 17, 9.5 p.m. . Athens, April 17. Allied battleships have arrived at Suda Bay, apparently for the purpose of creating a naval base similar to that at Argostoli. ILL-FEELING INCREASES. BETWEEN GERMANS AND TURKS. London, April 10. The Times' Balkans correspondent says that since the fall of Erzerom the hostility of the Turks towards the Germans has been increasing. The Germans reciprocate the feeling, and some frankly state that they would never have taken Turkey's part but for the prospect of possessing Constantinople and Asia Minor, which would more than compensate them for the loss of the African colonies. The ill-feeling between the Turks and Germans would probably have led to a crisis but for the internecine feuds between the Turks themselves. Open rivalry exists between Talaat and linver The former for the moment reigns supreme in Constantinople. A new plot against Enver's life was recently discovered by the Germans, and 20 persons were arrested and executed. BULGARS AND GERMANS SKIRMISH. London, April 10. Salonika reports that in a fight between Bulgarians and Germans for possession of a telegraph office in a village westward of Lake Ochrida several were killed and wounded on both sides.