THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15498, 27 January 1916, Page 8

THE BALKANS.

IN MONTENEGKRO. AN AUSTRIAN CLAIM. FOUR TOWNS OCCUPIED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received January 26th, 8.15 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 25. An Austrian communique says: — "We occupied Scutari on January •23rd.. The garrison, which comprised several thousand Serbians, retreated without risking battle. v "We also occupied Niegushi, Danilovgrad, and Podgoritza." Scutari is at the south-east end of Lake Scutari, in Southern Montenegro. Podgoritza is on the river Zeta, thirty miles north by west of Scutari. Danilovgrad is also on the Zeta (which flows into the northern end of Lake Scutari), fifteen miles from Podgoritza. Niegusir i-'-i.ve miles fro Cettinje.

THE AUSTRIAN ADVANCE. SAN GIOVANNI DI MEDUA OCCUPIED. (Received January 27th, 1.30 a.m.) ROME. January 26. The Austrians have occupied' San Giovanni di Medua. San Giovanni di Medua is a smail port 17 miles by west of Scutari. DESPERATE FIGHTING, AUSTRIAN CLAIM DENIED. ROME, January 25. Th© occupation of Scutari is denied. (Received January 26th, 8.15 p.m.) ROME, January 25. A few thousand Montenegrins and Serbians, in a desperate battle near Podgoritza, held un two Austrian divisions. The enemy's losses were enormous. The Austrian vanguard advancing towards Scutari was checked.

EXPLAINING THE POSITION. A GERMAN DIFFICULTY. ("limes" and "Sydney Sun" Services.) LONDON, January 25. The German Press iinds a difficulty in explaining the Montenegrin position in view of the fact that the schools of the Empire were given a holiday in order to hear Icctures entitled "Montenegro's Separate Peace."

SERBIA'S SORROWS. GERMAN REQUESTS REFUSED. PARIS, January 25. The "Petit Parisien" saysvthat the Germans have requested the Serbian ex-Ministers to convoke a new Skupshtina. The Kaiser has promised to open it, and to appoint his son or an Austrian prince as king. The ex-Min-isters refused, despite the worst threats. Their fate is unknown. Germany is not allowing anybody to leave Serbia. ATHENS, January 25. The Allies continue the landing of Serbian troops at Corfu.

ATTITUDE OF GREECE. PROMINENT POLITICIAN DEAD. CHIEF OPPONENT OF M. VENIZELOS. (Received January 27tK, 1.30 a.m.) ATHENS, January 26. The death is announced of M. Thootokis. the chief opponent of 31. Venizelos. A GERMAN~PREDICTION. CABINET CRISIS PROBABLE. (Received January 27th, 1.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 26. The German newspapers predict a crisis in the Greek Cabinet, resulting in the return of M. Gounaris to power with pro-Entente sympathies.