EVACUATION OF SCUTARI.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 101, 29 April 1913, Page 5

EVACUATION OF SCUTARI.

MONTENEGRO'S PROTEST.

"CKVEh AND tfirjTTST REQUEST"

AUSTRIA'S PREPARATIONS,

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright)

(Received 10.50 ajn.)

LONDON, April 28. In reply to a demand for the evacuation and transfer of Scutari by the commanders of the International Fleet with the briefest possible delay, Montenegro has protested against the "cruel and unjust request," and has asked to be treated on an equality with the other Allies. The Berlin newspapers give prominence to telegrams from Vienna, apparently inspired by Count Berchtold yon Ungarschitz (Minister for Foreign Affairs), threatening that unless to-day's conference of Ambassadors in London recommends the prompt coercion of the Montenegrins in connection with the latter's occupation of Scutari, Austria-Hungary will instantly take independent action. The "'Lokal Anzeiger's" Vienna correspondent states that a Note has been sent warning the Powers of Austria's intentions. The correspondent cuotes a high Austrian personage as saying: "In four days we shall be id Antivari." The "Vossische Zoitung's" Trieste correspondent states that a naval division hns sailed from tho Austrian port with 10,000 troops. The intention is to occupy Antivari, Dulcigno and San Giovanni di Medua. and to advance against Cetiuje from the heights of Buda Risano. Official Vienna organs declare that a European mandate'is unnecessary. Austria is nctinj; as a reluctant but loyal executor of Europe's will. Diplomatists ;iro convinced that Austria will be left to more alone, none of the Powers favouring tlio use of force. Tlie latest mossagps from the Continent still show official optimism concerning tho vitality of the European concert. Russia in a message of a friendly nature has counsel let] Austria to refrain from taking precipitate action, inasmuch as it means persuading King Nicholas to respect Europe's wishes. The indications aro that the Emperor Francis Josef's statesmanship is now playing a great rnlc in tho. maintenance of the pacific policy. The Powers' representatives at Cetinje, including the Russian, preseutod a demand for the evacuation of Scutari.