TROUBLE IN THE BALKANS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 7 September 1923, Page 7

TROUBLE IN THE BALKANS

AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK

BY CABLE—PitESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received Sept 7, 10.5 a.m. PARIS, Sept. 6. A sensation has been caused by the publication of a message from the JPolitika, the semi-official organ of the •Government in Belgrade, detailing re'cent negotiations between Jugo-Slavia -and_ Italy. This, viewed in the light ■of Signor Mussolini's sabre-rattling in ■the face of the Balkan Powers, is re.garded as extremely, grave news. The Politika describes the Italian pian as .meaning that Italy is annexing the >State of Fiume and Port Baros. and -Jugo-Slavia has been given until September 17 to accept the Italian plan, which is cojiched in the form of an ultimatum.. This the Jugoslavian 'Government cannot' do.—Aus.-N.Z. 'Cable Assn. Discussing the Politika's message, Paris newspapers describe it as a new war-cloud, which may involve the whole *of southern and central Europe. The Politika states that Serbia is, on her t guard, and Belgrade is awaiting the ■ arrival of the Greek Minister from Athens, but the Serbian Government is determined that nothing must be •done to upset the equilibrium of the Balkans. The Serbian Cabinet, how--eyer, decided not to put forward its viewpoint w.hilst the present conflict is before the international tribunal, and in pursuance, of "this policy has not replied to the appeal for help she received from Greece. Le Temps is so impressed with the ■danger that it urges the Allies not to waste time in discussing procedure in ■the dispute between Greece and Italy, i If the new crisis becomes acute, peace will only be maintained by perfect har- j ~mony among the Allies and the sentimient of solidarity among the nations j which stood side by side during the world Avar. If Britain foresees this -eventuality she will avoid complications in the present quarrel.—-Aus.-N.Z. •'•Cable Assn.