BALKAN DISSENSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16213, 14 April 1913, Page 6

BALKAN DISSENSION.

Tjtf, report of dissensions within ths Bnllcan- League has suddenly taken definite} form. Bulgaria is stated to have laid claim formally to Salonica, and to have iudicated an intention of support-

mg tho 6emruicl by military measures. Greece, which would f UK I it hard indeed to retiro from the port at this stage, is concentrating an army before Salonica. It is said in Vienna that Britain and tho Triple Alliance aro supporting Bulgaria, 011 the plea that compensation should he given that country for yielding Silistria to Roumania and so avoiding a quarrel that would havo embroiled the Great Powers, while Russia and France are disposed to favour tho Greek claim. Tho Bulgarian Prime Minister, in announcing his Government’s consent to the Turkish boundiry as defined by the Powers, has stated that Bulgarian rights in western Macedonia will be maintained firmly. The situation thus created is a serious one, since the satisfaction of Bulgaria’s demand is not possible except at the price of very bitter feeling in Greooe, and probably also in Servia. The Greeks have regarded Salonica as their possession evor 6inco they captured ’t many months ago but a few hour 3 before tho arrival of a Bulgarian force, and if they are to lose it now their share of tho spoils of viotory must bo very 6mall indeed, since the now Albania is blocking their path to tho west, and Servia has pushed down to Monastir on tho north. The terms of the original agreement among tho Balkan kingdoms are not known, but certainly they did not contemplate the creation of tlio State of Albania. If Servia and Greece aro now to bear all tho loss of prospective territory caused by tho decision of the Powers in that respect, while Bulgaria takes her arranged portion and perhaps a little more, tho bonds of mutual interest which bind the Allies together will bo strained very severely.