MISCELLANEOUS WAR NEWS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16138, 15 January 1913, Page 9

MISCELLANEOUS WAR NEWS

The following cable messages havß been published by the Sydney " SUQ " :_ • • A- rt. Dissensions are arising regarding tne royal houses of Servia and Montenegro. Each is credited with the desire to unite the two nations under one kingship. In Montenegro the agitation is becoming strong for junction with the Serbs, and it is suggested that King Nicholas shall bo pensioned. It will require all that monarch's skill and diplomacy to conquer and control the clamour of this section of his people. The hole in the side of the Turkish battleship Hamidieh, caused by a Greek shell, was, before she arrived in Constantinople, covered with canvas painted the same colour as the ship. This was done because it was considered highly inadvisable to let the public see that any damage could possibly be inflicted by tho Greek artillery. A widow at Kensington claims to be the Empress of the iEgean Isle's. _ Sho says she is descended from a Prince of Genoa, who married the Emperor of Constantinople. She has laid her claim before the Peace Conference. An official army review explains the defeat of tho Turks as being due to the way their forces were scattered and linked only by undeveloped rail communication. Tho greater part of tho army had to come from Asia Minor. The Allies worked on a concerted scheme, and displayed vigour and celerity. They proved once again that a well-prepared foe will not allow his adversary leisure to perfect his arrangements when the decision to proceed to hostilities has been made.

Martial law is being rigorously imposed in the Greek villages contiguous to the Dardanelles. No lights are allowed, and everybody must stay indoors after dark. If three or more men stop to converse in tho street they are arrested, court-martialled and heavily fined.

Tho Vienna correspondent of the "Times" writes:—",Tf the present opportunity of saving peace be neglected it may not rocur until the greater part of Europe is convulsed by a terrific struggle. Cliques, which appear to have lost their power of sober calculation, are again acquiring influence, and are putting forward in support of their scheme lunatio arguments and assumptions. One notion is that Austria could support the Allies and make their victory sure at the price; another is that she l could support Turkey, and take her chance of Russian intervention and continental war; and a third that she could remain neutral, providing that the belligerents pay for her neutrality. The military are possessed of the idea that success will attend action in any direction, and against any adversary. The delay in effecting peace makes this campaign dangerous." ■