THE BALKAN SITUATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 9 April 1913, Page 5

THE BALKAN SITUATION.

CABLE NEWS

(United Preu Amciationr—Bv W4& trie Telegraph—Copyright.)

AN AUTONOMOUS ALBANIA. STATEMENT BY SIR, E. CAREY. LONDON, April 7. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking in the House of Commons, mid that Great Britain ( was participating i ti the naval demonstration at Antirari because she favoured an autonomous Albania. Agreement on the part of the Powers was essential for European peace, and such agreement was onl.v just accomplished in time to preserve peace. The war had long since ceased to be a war of liberation, and there was no reason why Britain's sympathies should not be extended to Albania, which was fighting for its life, its lands, its languages, ajid it*, religion. - WITHIN THREE DAYS. MGNTENEG'RjO MUST BACK DOWN. AN AUSTRIAN PROPOSAL. PARIS, April 7. The blockading battleships have been ordered to-operate effectively on the Montenegrin coast unless thePowers' demands are satisfied within the next three days. ~ - VIENNA, April 7. Austria-Hungary hay proposed that the Powers extend the blockade to San Giovanni and Durazzo. GERMAN CHANCELLOR. EULOGY OF SIR EDWARD GREY. BERLIN, April 7. The Imperial Chancellor (Hen* von Bethmann Hollweg), in introducing the Defence Bill .in the 'Reichstag, eulogised Sir -Edward: Grey's devotion and ability in conducting the Ambassadors' Conference. -Sii" Edward Grey, by eliminating misunderstandings, deserved Europe's gratitude. Germany's policy in regard to the Balkans was, the Chancellor added, identical with Britain's. I THE VOICE OF SLAVDOM'. • SPRJEADJN'G. A DANGEROUS OUTLOOK. N (Received Last Nighty 11.20 o'clc'O LONDON", April 8. j The Daily Telegraph's St. Petersburg correspondent . states : that the Slav agitation is spreading daaugerously. The leaders are convinced that Prince Hohenlohe's mission has proved that Austria is afraid of war, an< that Germany lia,s. grasped the situa tion, hence the new Army Bill France has realised the position, fore shadowing a German-Slav conflict England alone hag put the spoke in the wheel of fortune, .believing tha she is working for peace, whereas sh is endeavouring to stem the Slav tid with a broom-stick. Montenegro d< f.ies Europe, because she sp-eaks witV the voice of Slavdon.. , ; . SETTLE.MENT EVADED. PENDING CAPTURE OF SCUTARJ SPEECH BY SIR EDWARD GREY. (Received La-st Night, 11.20 o'clock.) LONDON, April 8. ■ln diplomatic circles it is believed that the Allies are systematically evading a final settlement until Scutari is captured. Sir Edward Grey, in the House of Commons, said Admiral Burney was instructed to join irn consultation with the other internationals on. a practicable -means of exerting pressure on Montenegro, but the landing of naval brigades and field guns, or an actual bombardment would mot be tindertaken without further instructions. The war in Albania had become a war of conquest, and was not bearing on the war with Turkey. Hence the Go- . verament had no hesitation in joining the agreement' of the Powers, believ- | ing it to be in accord with humanity, liberty and justice: *Mr Bonar Law supported Mr Aequith in opposing any discussion taking place on "the • naval demonstration for the present . CRITICAL SITUATION. GERMANY'S POSITION. STATEMENT BY GERMAN CHANCELLOR. (Received This Morning, 12. o'clock.) BERLIN, April 8. Herr von Bethmann Hollweg, German Chancellor, declared that as far as human, calculations could fdretell, "there would be no European war in which Germany would not be involved.. It required the whole sense ■ of the European Cabinets, most nearly interested, to prevent tension over the Balkans, which might lead to a violent outbreak. Europe might well know how to thank Sir' Edward Grey for his extraordinary devotion and conciliatory spirit applied in adjustv.' f differences at-the Ambassadors' Conference. The decisions of the London conference "must be carried- out with all vigour to ensure a peaceful settlement, as it was of the-utmost importance that the vitally active States, which had arisen in the Balkans, should be as effective in neace a»s in war, but beyond doubt should the ■ Slavs and Germans be opposed in an European conflgration, Germany would be at a disadvantage, by the Slav States replacing Turkey in the Balkans. It was thus imperative to j take precautions against the PanSlav currents, which had made Bismarck uneasy, and had •enormously! promoted the Balkan victories. Ger-; ; many could not afford to bury her head in the sand. Her relations with Russia and France were, good, hut

wide sections ol France were not merely Chauvanists relying on the quality of the army, the Russian allegiance and the hope (.1' British help, but entertained ideas of ''revanche." He hoped tiic time was past when every comparison of Anglo-German naval strength le. ; ] to agitation and poisoning tho relations of both countries, when their long lacking confidence was beginning io return. DESPERATE BATTLE. TURKS DEFEATED. (R, oeived This Morning, 12.dQ o'clock.) BELGRADE, April 8 A sonii-dfijeia! report stares that Djavid Pasha was routed at l.iousiiie, after a desperate engagement. The Turkish troops are flying in disorder. The iS'erviaiig occupied Lie'i'sue and! captured K>oo Turks, I and sixty administrative officials. TWO REGIMENTS DECIMATED ' RESULT OF TNEXPfERiT.NCF. (Received Tin's groining. 12.30 o'clock.> SOFIA, .April 8. Two Sofia iregiments were decimated: early in the war, owing to injudicious handling. They were recruiter! from youths of the best families. and sent to Chatalflja and placed in positions where they would be * unlikely to be attacked. The Turk 9, learning of their inexperience, outflanked and killed the majority of them. The incident "caused a revulsion of feeling among those most prominent in> favour of peace. MILITARY CAMP BOMBARDED. (Received This Morninif, 12.3u o clock.) ' . z ATHENS, April 8. A Greek destroyer bombarded the military camps near Smyrna, where itr was alleged tht> Turks were concentrating, preparatory to landing troops at. Chaos. Eight Turks were killed and 120 wounded. BBSS?*'''.