BATTLES IN THE BALKANS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 267, 15 October 1912, Page 5

BATTLES IN THE BALKANS

ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS. DANGER OF A WORLD WAR. RUMOURS REGARDING AUSTRIA. Vienna, Oct. 14. The “Neue Wiener Tagblatt” denies that Bosnian volunteers are joining Servia. Count Berchtold has initiated negotiations with a view to averting an Austro-Russian conflict during or after the Balkan war. He asks Russia to approve of the non-annex-ation of Novibazar by Servia or Montenegro. Nevertheless Austria is apparently not disposed to give a pledge to refrain from new conquests in the Balkans. There are persistent rumours of the mobilisation of four Austrian army corps. There is much comment on M. Pasics ’remarks to the “Neue Freie Presse” representative. He says that if the Powers interfere Russia will likewise, and then there will be danger of a world’s war. The remark is interpreted as Russia’s answer to Count Berchtold concerning the maintenance of Austrian interests in the Balkans. (Received 15, 8.55 a.m.) Vienna, Oct. 14. It is stated that no action by either Montenegro or Servia in Novibazar will induce Austria to interfere. Rumours of mobilisation in Bosnia are unfounded and only after the termination of hostilities will Austria act. London, Oct. 13. Consols have fallen to £72/18/9. The slump on the Paris bourse is unparalleled since 1870. It is estimated that the loss since the last settlement represents £16,000,000. The leading banks vainly attempted to stem the panic on the Russian bourse. The leading banks also endeavoured to stimulate the Berlin Bourse. (Received 15, noon.) The Stock Exchange and Continental bourses are steadier. Consols touched £72/10/- and closed at £72 17/6. The Bank of England is refusing discount below 5 per cent. | GER M A N ANG LO-PHOBIA. Beilin, Oct. It. The German Foreign Office, through the "Cologne Gazette,” rebukes the tactics of the little PanGerman newspapers in accusing Great Britain of fomenting a European conflagration by inciting the Balkan States to attack Turkev.

FIGHTING IN SCUTARI. MONTEN EG RINS VICTORIOUS. Cettinje. Oct. 14. Reserves from Ipek and Ragova have been sent to Berana and Gusinje. The fighting around Gusinje favours the Turks. Essad Pasha has reached Scutari strengthening the garrison, while two battalions hold the line of communication against the Maiissori. A CRUEL MASSACRE.

The Montenegrins burned a Mussulman village at Krai)ia. Several children were incinerated. The fighting round Tuzi and Rabat and Kranin was visible from Scutari . Two Turkish gunboats, on Lake Scutari bombarded General Martinovics’ right wing. The barracks at Ccttinje have been transformed into a hospital with 1000 beds. General Vnkovics is operating with a view to junetioning with the Servians. Chipcenik was practically demolished by the .Montenegrin artillery. General Martino vics report's an on- j gagement below the Chafbotil j heights, when after a fierce struggle I the Turks were repulsed, losing 300 killed and wounded. The Montenegrins’ final charge up precipitous crags at Dctchick was so furious that the Turks were unable to disable their guns before retreating, and were fired at with their own guns by the Montenegrins. The total Turkish force in the Skutari regions is sixteen battalions. The Montenegrins are striving to prevent their retreat southward.

THE FALL OF DETCHITCH. AFTER A HAND TO HAND STRUGGLE. (Received 15, 11.5 a.m.) Pedgoritza, Oct. 14. Scttandinc Bey. the commander captured at Detchitch, states that! the fort was only loose stones. Thej-e ; were only four hundred defenders, i of whom one quarter were non ■ Turkish and deserted during the ! When the Montenegrins at-; tacked, he did not know war had i broken out. The artillery was old j and he was unable to reply to the ' Montenegrins firing at 5000 metres. ! The defenders were finally overwhelmed by numbers in a hand to’ hand struggle. i

> HEAVY TURKISH LOSSES. Thi’ Montenegrins occupied Visitor Hill and two other positions commanding Gusinje. They took lour machine guns, rifles, and ammunition. The lurkish losses are heavy. The Montenegrin casualties since’ the outbreak are 256 killed and Soo ■wounded. I SERVIAN DEMANDS. TROOPS ADVANCING To THE FRONTIER. Belgrade. Oct. 14. , The Servian rrply i> practiealiy idtntical xvith that of the other Allies. It regrets inability in mm : ply with ihe Boners' wishes owing! to (lie insufficient guarantee- for tin.-' CXuvUt IG‘l of rchiFUis. j

Servia simultaneously forwarded to the Porte a. memorandum demanding reforms in Macedonia in consonance with Article No. 23 of the Treaty of Berlin under the control of the Powers ami the Balkan States ; also immediate Turkish de mobilisation. The Skupshtina adopted a three months’ morn tori urn. Troops from Nish are advancing on Vrania, Ristovac, amt Deverti, frontier towns. The Premier, in an interview, accused Turkey of arming irregular bands of marauders anu vagabonds and letting them loose upon the unprotected Servian population in the Kosovo district, whence 800 families had taken refuge in Servia. He added that Servia demanded ethnical autonomy for the oppressed Servians in the Turkish provinces, including Novibazar. TURKISH ARMY INVADES SERVIA. (Received 15, 9.50 a.m.) Belgrade, Oct. 14. An official message says that the Turkish troops crossed the frontier at Restovae and attacked the Servians. BULGARIAN NOTE. London, Oct. 14. The “Daily Mail’s” Sofia correspondent says that. Bulgaria demands decentralisation of government in European Turkey, with an elective' council for each government ami proportional representation of the* various nationalities in the Constantinople Parliament. The Note imposes no time limit.

GREECE WITH THE ALLIES. TERMS DEMANDED. (Received 15. 8.55 a.m.) Athens. Oct. 14. The demands of Greece to Turkey are expressed in similar terms to those of Servia and Bulgaria. SEIZURE OF’ GREEK VESSELS. RELEASE DEMANDED WITHIN 24 HOURS. ■ Constantinople, Oct. 14. The Greek vesseds and cargoes detained are valued at a million sterling. Though under the Greek flag, the bulk of the vessels represents British capital. The Porte proposes to purchase the cargoes. (Received 15. 8.55 a.m.) Greece has demanded the release of and indemnity for the seized merchantships within 24 hours. PORTE REJECTS POWERS’ NOTE. MILL NOT TOLERATE INTERFERENCE. (Received 15, 8.55 a.m.) London. Oct. 14. The "Daily Telegraph’s” Constan-, tinople correspondent says the Porte has rejected the Pov. cis' collective Note. Constantinople, Oct. 11. The Turkish reply to the Note of the Powers lias been communicated to tiie Austrian Ambassador. The reply states that Tin key is determined to earn out reforms, but can not tolerate foreign interference. I lie heir to the Throne goes to Adrianople to-day. and the Sultan on Tuesday.

CRETAN UNREST. (Received 15. 11.5 a.m.) .Athens, Oct. 11. Ihe Cretan Deputies, profiting by the war, defied tlie Powers and entered the Greek Chamber. Malta, Oct. 1 I. The second battalion of tlie North ampton Regiment has been ordered to he in readiness to proceed to Crete. FIGIITING ON SERVIAN FRONTIER. (Received 15, 1.0 p.m.) Belgrade, Oct. 11. The Turks surprised a Servian force at Ristovae. but they hastily rallii d and repulsed their assail ants. Fighting continues along ton miles of the frontier.