THE BALKAN TROUBLE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 799, 9 February 1909, Page 2

THE BALKAN TROUBLE.

NO ANNEXATION BILL PASSED. MORE QUIBBLING. TURKEY'S REQUIREMENTS. [BY ELEGTBIO TELEGBAPH — OOPTBIGHT.] [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] | Vienna, February 8. I The Reichrath's session closed with- i out passing the bill for the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sofia, February 8. The Porte's counter-proposal ie deprecated at Sofia, as it is calculated to increase the tension.* It is stated that unless Baron Isvolsky's offer be frankly accepted, the Bulgarian Reservists, who remain under arms until the end of this week, may be allowed to return to their homes, but equal or larger numbers will be summoned, thus increasing the war spirit. ■ Statesmen at Sofia emphasise that i the Porte's acceptance would not pre- j elude separate arrangements for the liquidation of the Turkish debt. Meanwhile news from Macedonia is somewhat disappointing. Constantinople, February 8. The Porte informs Baron Isvolsky that it is ready to renounce all claims against Bulgaria, provided that Russia in return will consider the RussoTurkish War Indemnity as fully liquidated. According to Reuter, this would entail upon Russia the sacrifice of a million sterling beyond M. Isvolsky 's offer. [Under Baron Isvolsky 's scheme, Russia proposes to make good the difference between the indemnity offered by Bulgaria and that demanded by Turkey. Russia will cancel sufficient of the remaining seventy instalments of the Turkish war indemnity due to Russia, amounting to 22 million, to enable Turkey to borrow five million sterling. Bulgaria undertakes to pay Russia £3,280,000 for interest and sinking fund. Instead of receiving eight million francs (about £330,000) annually from Turkey, Russia will draw five million francs (about £208,000) annually from Bulgaria.] (Received February 9, 8.4 Ba.m.) Constantinople, February 8. Turkey counter-proposes to hand Russia £2,000,000, besides Bulgaria's £5,000,000, to cancel Turkey's annual payments of £315,000 in 74 yearß.