POWERS' CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 328, 15 October 1908, Page 7

POWERS' CONGRESS

IMPROVED OUTLOOK. THE LEADING NATIONS FAVOURABLE. A UNITED BRITAIN. "THE FEWER POINTS THE BETTER." (BI TELEGRAPH —FRRSS ASSOCIATION— COMritlflHT.l (Roc. October 14, 10.5 p.m.) St. Petersburg, October 14. A Russian Note to Servia and Montenegro promises to safeguard their interests. Getinje, October 13. His Royal Highness Prince Nicholas of Montenegro, in receiving tho Parliamentary Deputies, said that Austria's action had inflicted a great wrong, and that unless peaceful endeavours were made to set thingß right the Montenegrins would sacrifice tho last drop of their blood. BRITSSH POLICY. THE NOTE OF UNITY IN LORDS AND COMMONS. REGARD FOR INJURED INTERESTS. London, October 13. In the House of Lords, the Marquis of liansdowne, Leador of tho Opposition in that Chamber, warmly endorsed the recent speech" by tho Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey) on the Balkans situation. A cooler speech, said Lord Lansdowne, one could not desire. The Oppositior Id endeavour to strengthen the hands ;ie Government, and assist in maintaining international law and peace. Lord Fitzmaurice, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said' the Government, encouraged by the confidence of a united nation, believed that diplomacy would be able to secure the maintenance of Turkey's improved institutions, and simultaneously maintain the goodwill and honour of tho Balkan States. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, stated that the Government considered that recent events in tho Balkans necessitated the consideration of the Powers, with a view to arriving at a settlement showing due regard to the interests of Turkey or any State whose, interests the recent changes may have prejudiced. The British Government would strive to secure a settlement that would be both peaceful and equitable.

Mr. Asquith added" A conference has not yet been arranged. Tko Powers are discussing how a settlement can bo attained, and what should be comprised therein." He hoped thoso aggrieved would continue in their attitude of moderation and restraint, thus replying to a general desire to show fair consideration for their interests. Mr. Asquith's 1 remarks wore received. with cheers. Some of the London newspapers fear that the reference made by Mr. Asquith in his speech to States claiming to bo prejudiced involves a dangerously wide opening of tho door to claims for compensation, and is practically a now departure after the AustroHungarian declaration that Turkey alone was entitled to compensation. BANQUET TO RUSSIAN MINISTER. BOTH PARTIES PRESENT. (Reo. October 15, 0.38 a.m.) London, October 14. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, gave a banquet in honour of tho Russian Ministor for Foreign Affairs, M. Isvolsky. x The guests included the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith; the principal other ministers of the Cabinet; Mr. Balfour, Leader of tho Opposition in the House of Commons; tho Marquis of Lansdowne, Leader of tho Opposition in the House of Lords; the Marquis of Londonderry (who was Lord President of the Council in the last Unionist Government); and the Marquis of Salisbury and Mr Austen Chamberlain (who wore respectively Lord Privy Seal and Chancellor of the Exchequer in the last Unionist Government). THE CONFERENCE. WHAf FORM OF COMPENSATION FOR TURKEY? A GUARANTEED LOAN. (Rec. October 14, 10.5 p.m.) Constantinople, October 14. The Ambassadors of the five Powers (Britain, Germany, Russia, France, and Italy) have informed the Porto that they are favourable to the principle of a conference. Tho Porte intends to propose a strictly limited programmo. London, October 14. "The Times" says: "Britain's attitude will doubtless be 'the fewer points submitted to debate the better.' Sho will be no party to the admission of any demands for compensation, at Turkey's expense, to which Turkey objects. France and Russia recognise the justice and the expediency of this standpoint." According to Rduter, the indemnification of Turkey-lies in tho regularising and legalising of Austria's and Bulgaria's acts as accomplished facts. It is oxpected to take the form of a guaranteed Turkish loan. ITALY'S ATTITUDE. WILL ACCEPT INVITATION. (Rec. October 14, 10.5 p.m.) Rome, October 14. Signor Tittoni, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, has informed the British, Russian, and Austrian Ambassadors that tho moment that Britain and Russia issuo an invitation to tho Powers to hold a European conferonce, Italy will unreservedly accept the invitation, desiring to solve tho various Balkan questions in accordance with the spirit of existing treaties, without endangering peace. London, October 14. Renter's Constantinople correspondent states that Germany and Italy have declared that treaties cannot bo modified without tho assent of all the signatories. THE TURKISH CAPITAL. ANTI-AUSTRIAN DEMONSTRATION. (Reo.' October 14, 10.5 p.m.) Constantinople, October 14. A mob of Shabats burned an Austrian merchantman's flag. Tho ringleaders wcro arrested. Tho population rigorously boycott tho Austrian Consul. A meeting of 20,000 people a ; t Stamboul (Constantinople) denounced Austria and Bulgaria, and thanked Britain, Franco, Italy, Rusnift, and Gorrawjy for- thair friendly, attitude