SCUTARI'S SURRENDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 108, 7 May 1913, Page 5

SCUTARI'S SURRENDER.

ANGRY MONTENEGRINS. THE MINISTRY RESIGNS. International troops will occupy Scutari until its administration is definitely settled. " "**•'- Messages from.Cetinje state that the Council of War meeting, at which the decision to ■ yield Scutari was arrived at, was a stormy one. ' ■ .General Martirioviteh (President "of the State Council) and his party exercised warlike ardour in an effort to gain the upper hand. When the discussion was at its height King Nicholas, having conquered his own feelings, enterpd the chamber and confronted the Ministerial tempest.

The King said: . "The supreme interests of the country demand that we should bow our heads before the will of Europe." " . ■" UTTER FOLLY OF "WAR. His Majesty pointed out the utter folly of war, "and said: "It will add another page to Montenegrin history! hut it-.:will iJfe.Oift.-Ja-'ti-il-.rJo ..not. wish to close your. history thus." General Martinovitch, in a violent speech, said that after he had himself successfully stormed Tarabosch (the key to Scutari") he felt justified in levelling the bitterest reproaches against those who had humbled Montenegro. He then tendered the Ministry's resignation.

ETERNAL JUSTICE. King Nicholas has telegraphed td Sir Edward Grey (British Minister for Foreign Affairs) stating that Montenegro's attitude in regard to Scutari has been inspired by the eternal principles of justice sanctified by the history of conquest. "■'.,....- ' ' -._■'. "My dignjfcv and that of my people," the King added, ''will not allow mc sto submit to isolated orders, and I therefore place the destiny of Scutari in the hands of "the Powers."

OUT. OF THE IMPASSE. The Ambassadors' Conference has expressed gratification at the satisfactory solution of the Balkan impasse, which has been brought about by Montenegro's decision to evacuate Scutari. .

Sir <Edward Grey reminded the conference that Austria and Italy had ibeen charged with the preparation of a draft proposal regarding the status of Albania, which would be submitted at the next meeting of the conference. GREAT B*_TAJtirS XNTX.UENCE. Reuters/Agency states that Great Britain exercised a separate and strong influence with King Nicholas. Russia exerted a similar influence.

Servian political circles consider that King Nicholas has acted with heroism, but tbat he has exposed himself and his dynasty to a great danger.