MONTENEGRO'S RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1916, Page 5

MONTENEGRO'S RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES

INFLUENCE OF AUSTROPHILE ADVISERS. NUIXIFrED BY AUSTRIA'S EXORBITANT DEMANDS. PREMATURE ENEMY ANNOUNCEMENT OF SURRENDER. LONDON, January 23. The Rome correspondent of the Paris newspaper "Le Petit Journal" states that fighting in Montenegro continues. recent interruption was due to the adroitness of King Nicholas. He utilised the occasion to send away useless youths to protect the retreat of the army. General Martinovitch has repulsed the Austrian:* at Beran'e, in the cast of Montenegro. The resumption of hostilities by Montenegro has mystified the Austrian newspapers, which are asking whether King Nicholas is playing a double game. The German newspaper "Munehener Naehrichten" insists that the disarmament of the Montenegrins is proceeding rapidly. The Milan correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph" writes:—"Since the defeat of the Serbians the Austrophile advisers of King Nicholas have gained the upper hand, and they persuaded King Nicholas to surrender to avoid the fate of Serbia. The King listened unwillingly and sent General Martinovitch as a last resource to defend the approaches to the capital, promising, if the defence were futile, that he would negotiate for peace. General Martinovitch's efforts failed through want of sincere cooperation. He was unable to muster more than 1.200 men. "When negotiations were opened with Austria the King was stunned by Austria's demands, which were intended to reduce Montenegro to vassalage. Meanwhile General Matinovitch resolutely opposed capitulation and retreated towards Scutari. King Nicholas was between two fires with his political advisers and his generals. Finally he sided with the army and rejected the Austrian terms." The Paris newspaper "Le Matin" thinks that possibly his entourage deceived King Nicholas as to the possibility of an honourable peace. He subsequently perceived the humiliation of the Austrian terms. Austria prematurely announced the total surrender of the Montenegrins in <£ler to provoke rejoicings in the Hungarian Parliament and among the people!