TODAY'S NEWS. THE BALKANS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8270, 15 October 1915, Page 5

TODAY'S NEWS.

THE BALKANS.

THE ALLIES' DIPLOMACY.

STATEMENT BY SIR EDWARD CREY. NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY AND BULGARIA. SERBIA'S SPLENDID COURAGE. (Received October 15, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. Mr Asquith declined to allow the House .of Commons bo discuss the situation id the Balkans. Sir Edward Grey," who was loudly j cheered, said he did not propose to j de y al With military problems, but would confine himself to the objects of the present diplomatic policy m the Near East. He said he was aware that there had recently been many criticisms of that policy, but he did not desire to reply to them—not because there was no answer, but because the situation wee most delicate. The Allies, at the beginning of the war, were desirous that the war should not extend to the Near,-East. Turkey, was assured that if'she'remained neutral the Entonte would see she did not suffer loss of territory, and when Turkey entered the conflict the efforts of the were concentrated upon securing a Balkans agreement. They sought to obtain concessions for Bulgaria if she took the eide of the Allies.

The Allies' relations with Roumania were friendly, and she was favourable to a policy promoting an agreement in the Balkans. A policy encouraging divisions, and embittering existing antipathies tt as infinitely easier than a policy of reconciliation: The Allies, throughout the war, had given Serbia all possible help freely and .unconditionally. When the Allies were unable to send troops last winter, Serbia drove out the enemy after fights which were among the most .remaxkable incidents of the war. Serbia vva-s meeting the new crisis with the same splendid courage, but, the entry of Bulgaria j made a great difference. It was obvious 1 that the interests of Greece and j Serbia were one in the long run—they stood or ' fell together—and only through Greek territory could assistance ibe ,given to Serbia. Desiring to give Serbia 1 all the help possible, France and Britain sent all the troops immediately availablo to Salonika, and' were still acting in close co-operation. The assistance of Russian troops had been promised as soon as they could be made .available. It was impossible to disclose plans,, but the military authorities of the Allios were constantly .consulting as to the best methods to meet, the, situation. He beu'eyed these methods were based on the principles of sound strategy. , "Serbia is fighting an'intense and acute struggle for .national existence," said Sir.--Edward Grey, " but all of us I are fighting the same/issue. Everywhere it is a fight for the right to live away from the shadow of Prussian militarism, which has not observed the ordinary rules of humanity in war, and offered a menace of depression in peace." (Loud cheers).