Balkan Crisis.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10163, 31 August 1915, Page 5

Balkan Crisis.

AUSTRO-GERMAN MENACE. INVASION EXPECTED IN FEW DAYS. LONDON, Aug. 30. The Daily Telegraph's Bucharest correspondent learns that the Austrians are mussing troops on the Serbo-Houinanian frontier. The Times' Bucharest correspondent says Austria and Germany are using every means to cause war between Bulgaria and her neighbours while the Entente is trying to promote an understanding on the basis of Serbian and Grecian concessions to Bulgaria. Competent experts exjiect that the German invasion of Serbia will begin in a few da vs. ROME. Aug. 30. All Roumanian officers in Switzerland have been recalled. TURKEY'S PLIGHT. PARIS. Aug. 30. A Frtr.ehman from Turkey says the Germans have established three munition factories in Turkey, but all are inadequate. The Turks cannot prolong resistance after September 10th, though every train from tho north brings Gorman officers, soldiers and workmen. FAMOUS AUTHORITY'S VIEWS.

LONDON, Aug. 30. Sir Edwin Pears, who lived for many years in Constantinople, in an interview with the Daily Chronicle, said:— "If Bulgaria secures a promise from Sorvia and the Allies that Macedonia will be restored to her 1 believe that despite King Ferdinand, who has Austrian leanings, will como in, and if she joins the Allies Greece will follow. King Ferdinand is a born diplomat. He began life as an Austrian officer and possesses vast estates in Hungary. He is very vain and ambitious, and, I fear, unscrupulous. The foreign policy, owing to the. Bulgarian group system, is almost entirely in his hands. Nevertheless, Bulgaria is democratic in name.'and may Income so in a crisis like the present, which is democrat in reality. King Ferdinand regards Bulgaria as the Prussia of the Balkan*. 1 fancy he even once made preparations for his own coronation a* the Byzantine. Kmperor in St. Sophia. It would bo a mistake to overestimate the influence [assessed by the Royal families, but it. must not be under-estimated. At this moment, in Roumania, .Bulgaria, Greece. Sweden, and Kussia there are strong pro-German dements in the Court Ihe democracy, however, mostly takes a different view. I : m sure the Bulgarians, but for their chagrin oyer the second Balkan War, would long since, have joined us."' "Regarding Greece, the Queen, who has preat influence with King Constantino, quite recently brought Greece within measurable revolution. M. Venizelos' concern is rather how far he can rely on tJ* army, which is not inclined to take great risks. Veniselos is in favour of conciliating Bulgaria and for adequate compensations would perhaps surrender Kavalla. Had Greece joined the Allies originally she would have had the province of Aiden with Smyrna the capital. Even now the abominable Turkish outrages on Greeks at Aivali make it certain that the Allies', success, if Greece supports them, will imply a very large extension of territory in Asia-Minor. "The key to the situation is an arrangement Itetween Bulgaria and Serbia to surrender Macedonia. This will probably ensure the aid of Roumania and Greece. The King of Roumania as a Hohcnzollern naturally looks towards Germany, hut this in itself is insuflicient to keep Roumania neutral. She, like Bulgaria, is somewhat afraid that Russia's success will imply the occupation of Constantinople, and consequently the transformation of the Balkans into Russian provinces. The danger from their standpoint is less great than formerly. The German alliance with Turkey compels them to favour Russia rather than the Teutons. Roumania is populous, wealthy and powerful. lam hopeful her relations with Bulgaria and Russia will soon enable her to participate in the war. "Regarding Turkey's future, if the Dardanelles is forced she must leave Europe. She lias lost the Aegean Islands and will lose part of Asia-Minor. Adrianople will revert to Bulgaria. My solution would be to create Constantinople and the country surrounding the Sea of Marmpra, the Bosphorus' and the Dardanelles into an international State governed by an international commission similar to the Danubian. which has been so successful. Constantinople and the Dardanelles would be unfortified inasmuch as the New State would bo guaranteed internationally and defences would be unnecessary.'' PARIS, Aug. 29.

Matin's Sofia correspondent states that a protocol lias born signed whereby Turkey transfers to Bulgaria ten kilometres of territory eastward of Knos and also cedes the Karagach station. The frontier then runs to eastward of the Maritza The difficulties in the direction of India are still unsettled.