THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3027, 26 October 1908, Page 5

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

A MISSION THAT FAILED. MILITARY PREPARATIONS RESUMED. PARIS, October 23. French advices from Constantinople state that the mission of M. Dimitrnfl" (a Councillor to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Aii'airs) to Constantinople was a failure. It is also stated that a persimistic feeling prevails* in Turkish diplomatic circles, and that military preparations are, as a precautionary measure, beine resumed.

TURKEY AND BULGARIA. A VERBAL AGREEMENT. Received October 25, 4.30 p.m. SOFIA, October 24. M. Dimitrofr has informed the correspondent of the "New York Herald," that he has concluded a verbal agreement with Kaimil Pasha, whereby Turkey recognises the independence of Bulgaria, and Bulgaria consents to a mixed commission to settle the financial questions. M. Dimitroff predicts that the-Turkish-Bulgarian entente will develop into an alliance.

"VICTIMS OF MONSTROUS AGGRESSION." AN ELOQUENT APPEAL. ST. PETERSBURG, October 24. Russian newspapers publish an eloquent appeal by the Committee of Servian Women, urging their Russian sisters to raise their voices on behalf of the victims of monstrous aggression.

THE POWERS IN COMMUNICATION. WHAT THE OBJECT IS. STATEMENT BY SIR EDWARD GREY. LONDON, October 23. In the House of Commons yesterday Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, declared that the object of communications now passing between the Powers was to secure some agreement regarding the programme to be followed by the proposed European Conference. This programme was designed to secure a settlement of outstanding differences without widening the area of disturbance. As Turkey was the party most adversely affected, the British Government trusted that the first object of the Powers would be to secure/compensation far Turkey, to safeguard her interests, and to strengthen the new regime. ' The approval of Turkey, added Sir Edward Grey, was a condition necessary to the adoption of any programme,

NON-PAYMENT OF TRIBUTE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 23. Kaimil Pasha, Turkish Grand Vfzier, insists that Bulgaria must furnish compensation for the cessation of Roumelian tribute. M. Malinoff, Bulgarian Premier, declared that the proclamation of Bulgaria's independence involved the cessation of tribute.

THE ANNEXATION QUESTION. PERTAINING TO THE CONFERENCE. Received Qctober 25, 4.30 p.m. LONDON, October 24. The Porte has emphatically informed Austria that the settlement of the annexation question pertains to the Conference.

BRITAINS' ATTITUDE. VIENNA NEWSPAPERS ANGRY. Received October 25, 4.30 p.m. LONDON, October 24. Vienna newspapers are angry at Britain's insistent attitude, and assert that King Edward's recent visit to"the Czar at Reval had upset the Austro-Russian agreement regarding Macedonia, and led to the creation of the present dangerous situation in the Balkans.

THE IRREDUCIBLE MINIMUM. SERVIA'S DEMAND. Received October 25, 8.11 p.m. LONDON, October 24. The Belgrade correspondent of "The Times" telegraphs that the irreducible minimum of Servia's demand ia autonomy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and . territorial compensation for Servia. It is declared on all hands that unless both these demands are conceded war will ultimately be inevitable .

UNDER BRITISH INFLUENCE.

Received October 25, 8.11 p.m. LONDON, October 24. Reuter's Vienna correspondent states that information received indirectly from official sources confirms the report that Turkey, under British influence, ruptured direct negotiations with Austria-Hungary. The same correspondent also reports that Bulgaria had decided to leave pending difficulties to the Conference. Austria has resolved to attend the Conference only when the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is registered as an accomplished fact. Germany supports Austria in this attitude, and has decided to adopt the same course.