CABLE NEWS. THE BALKAN TROUBLE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 763, 28 December 1908, Page 2

CABLE NEWS. THE BALKAN TROUBLE.

GRAVE DANGERS AND MILITARY PRECAUTIONS. (BT ELECIBIO TELBGBAPH — CGPTKIGHT.] [PBR PBBBB ASSOCIATION.] St. Petersburg, December 24. M. Isvolsky, the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a weighty Circular Note to th© Powers, emphasises the grave dangers of the v.mlateral aotion taken by Austria anJ Bulgaria, and declares that ti:s.-pre-liminary exchange of views amoug the Powers proposed by Austrl? constitutes an introduction to the finference with which the final decisi r rests. He adds that Clause 25 of tht. Treaty of Berlin cannot simply be abolished, and another Article must be substituted to define th© situation as regards Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is eemi-officially hinted in Vienna that Austria will never compensate Turkey pecuniarily. Turkey complains of Austria s action in appending conditions to the offers previously submitted unconditionally. Th© latest 'proposals, in the absence of pecuniary compensation, are considered inadequate. The London Daily MaiTs/Mostar correspondent says $here. is great danger of Herzegovina rising unless the Conference grants autonomy Every railway bridge, culvert, and mountain pass in -Bosnia and Herzegovina is guarded by Austrian troops, as there are fears of a rising. The* Berlin correspondent of the London. Times says there are indications that injury may. befall German interests in Constantinople, # and Baron von Aerenthal's irreconcilable attitude, if protracted will cause Prince Bulow's support to sink to the lsvel of Italian lukewarmness. The? Daily Telegraph's Vienna correspondent states that^ Austria firmly refuses -*o pay an indemnity lest the concession Bhould,.lßad Turkey to impose on Bulgaria an unbearable financial burden. St. Petersburg, December 26. M. Isvolsky, during a powerful speech' in the Douma, commended the great results of tfce Anglo-Rus-sian agreement, and vigorously criticised Austria's . policy. He affirmed that Russian views in the Balkans were in accord with the views of all with whom international law is a living entity. He strongly warned Servia and Montenegro against any^ rashness, and", replying to the criticism of those declaring that Russia's policy ought to be simply a protest against annexation, admitted regretfully that Russia was handicapped by a certain secret engagement made between 1876-78, so that Russia" wa| now unable to protest alone against the annexation, which concerned, the signatories collecjavejy. Russia needed peace and time to recuperate, and she aimed at a peaceful solution in the Balkans by legal % means. Amidst cheers from the majority in the chamber, M. Isvolsky advocated a moral political union of the Balkan Slav States, and 6aid that Russia's aim was to have them combined with Turkey, with a common ideal for the defence of their national economic development. A vote of confidence was passed by the Douma. Parish December 26. The French press denounce Baron von Aerenthal's cynicism, and declare that France expects the violators of the Treaty of Berlin to compensate the sufferers. Vienna, December 26. The local newspapers attach much importance to the fact that Count Mensdorff, the Austrian Ambassador at London,- is bringing the Emperor Josef a verbal message from King Edward, who, it is believed, recommends Austria to come to an agreement with Turkey. Austrian newspapers profess great indignation at Russia's attitude, and accuse her of imperilling the peace of Europe. German newspapers declare that Russia, while delaying the conference, is advancing demands which Austria is unable to accept.