THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3013, 9 October 1908, Page 5

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

.SCENES IN SERVIAN CAPITAL. ■GREAT MASS MEETING. "['Received October 8, 8.10 a.m. BELGRADE, October 7. : A nws3 meeting of 10,000 persons ■•at Belgrarie urged the Government to prevent the annexation of Bosnia .and Herzegovina, and offering their fortunes and lives to promote their •country's cause. Austria's military attache at Bel..grade has been recalleJ. .THE EMPEROR'S PROMISES. ►-■■. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. deceived October 8, 10 a.m. VIENNA, October 7. In a rescript addressed to Baron Stephen Burian, Ausiro-llurgarinn Financie Minister, who is charged with the administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Emperor. Francis . Josef's declares that it is his intention to grant full measures of civic .rights under constitutional institutions by means of national representation, whicn will reflect the existing religious and political conditions of the two provinces. The Budapest newspaper "Pester Lloyd" states that it Turicey decided to recognise Francis _ Josef's • sovereignty, Mahorntdans in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be permitted • to mention the Sultan's name in their public prayers, and also be allowed •to hoist the Ottoman flag on their • minarets on the occasion of Mahom*adaß festivals.

ANTI-AUSTRIAN DEMONSTRATIONS, AUSTRIAN LEGATION STONED. BELGRADE, October 1. "During anti-Austrian demonstrations in Belgrade, the windows of • the Austri an Legation were ftoned. University students went to the Turkish Leagtion, cheered the Minister in charge, and received a Turkish flag, which they carried in a procession, Newspapers appear with big headings, entitled, "War with Austria!" SCENES IN CONSTANTINOPLE. PROFOUND GRATITUDE TO BRITAIN. WAR D3PRECATED. Heciived Or.obar 8, 8.15 a.m. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 7. The biggest procession ever se-m in Constantinople was held to-day. .All classes—both civil and militarytook part. There was a large iontingent from the Hellenic colony. The crowd cheered th-» Bri'.isli, French, and Russian embassies. Telegrams conveyed to King Edward ar.d the British Government Turkey's proft.uiid gratitude to Britain and admiration of the British ;sens3 of justice during the present crisis. Turkish newspapers deprecate wnr -unless further aggression is intended.

PROPOSED CONGRESS. SHAMELESS VIOLATION OF LAW. VIENNA, October 7. Austrian opinion opposes the holding of a European Congress, lest it might raise differences between the Powers. LONDON, October 7. "The Times" protests against Great Britain's association with any congress that might inflict further wrongs on Turkey, and advises the Sultan to acquiesce in the present moral injury under protest, and thus render the congress unnecessary. The British press protests, against the Emperor Francis Josef's rescript as sophistical reasoning in defence of ' a shameless violation of international law. ! GERMANY AND HER FRIENDS. BERLIN, October 7. The newspaper "Kolnishe Zeitung" ■states:—"Although Austria technically infringes an international arrangement, she really only gives a new constitutional form to a de facto condition of things." Germany, the papeJ adds, in ends to support her -comrades in the Triple Alliance (Italy and Austria) in order to avoid complications. The "Kolnische Zeitung" severely blames the Bulgarians for their ■arbitrary violence. .RECEIVED QUIETLY. 7 Received October 8, 9.45 p.m. VIENNA, October 8. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovnia received the proclamation of •annexation quietly, expressing good wishes for the future of the new regime.

PROTEST FROM SERVIA. BELGRADE, October 8. The Servian Narodna - Skuptschina (National Assembly) has been convoked. The tenth Government .has addressed an energetic protest to the Powers against the action of Austria. GERMANY AND THE CONFERENCE. BERLIN, Octobers. Official opinion is that Germany does not oppose the conference of the Powers if Turkey desires one, fout implies that should Austria decine to attend the Conference Germany will follow suit. .VIENNA,, Octobers: . Baron von . Aerenthal's note to the Powers claims that the surrender of Novibazar.is >a.striking proof