THE BALKAN STATES

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13211, 30 September 1915, Page 6

THE BALKAN STATES

LONDON, Sept. 28. < Hir Edward Grev announces that in the event of Bulgaria assuming an aggressive attitude, Britain will be prepared to assist her friends la the Balkans without reserve. Sir Edward Grey, questioned in the Commons, said Bulgaria had taken up a position of armed neutrality to defend her rights and independence. She had no aggressive intentions towards uer neighbours. Not only was there no hostility between England and Bulgaria, but there was traditional sympathy with the Bulgarian people. So long as Bulgaria did not side with Britain's enemies there was no question of British influence as a hostile force against Bulgaria. If Bulgaria's mobilisation is the lesult of an aggresive attitude, we are prepared to give ear friemls in the Balkans all the sup-

welcome to them in concert with our Allies and'without reserve or qualification. These are also the views of our Allies. Our policy has been to secure agreement among the Balkan States ensuring a brilliant-'future and independence based on a territorial and political union of the kindred nationalities."' (Cheers.) The German policy ou the other hand had been to create for her own purpose disunion and war in the Balkans. She bad used Austria to precipitate the European war with the result that the Dual Empire had been completely subordinated to Germany. Turkish interests would have been preserved if Turkey had remained neutral, but she <vas forced by Germany into the war to realise the German aspiration of dominion from Berlin to "Bagdad. In the same way it could be the German policy to use Bulgaria, with the inevitable result that Bulgaria would territorial gains she would lose her independence. Reuter's Athens correspondent says the news of the Allied victory conies at the right moment, dispelling the last vestiges of pro-Germanism. German-Italian newspapers assert that Bulgaria has not made an engagement to support any belligerent. Berlin denies that Bulgaria has sent an ultimatum to Serbia..*?

The Temps says M. Vestniteh, a Serbian Minister interviewed, stated: It is necessary for the Allies to act quickly in defence of Serbia, and we have reason to believe their support will be forthcoming.

The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says travellers from Constantinople state that Russian, French, and British aviators flew over Constantinople and Smyrna, and dropped bulletins describing the German defeats in Russia and France. It is reported that Dedeagatch is full of Bulgarian soldiers fraternising with the Turks. Dr Radoslavoff (Bulgarian Premier) has authorised the despatch of Bulgarian cereals to Constantinople, which is now completely re-stocked with flour, rice, and bread, which had been greatly reduced. It is reported that dissenions among the Young Turks are increasing. Enves Pasha does not possess his former authority, and the departure of a number of German officers has impaired his prestige. The Sheik-ul-Islam told the Sultan that it, would be necessary to finish the war before the complete dismembership of the Empire. The cession of Thrace to Bulgaria would be regarded as the beginning of dismemberment. ONDON, Sept. 28.

In the Commons Sir Edward Grey said that every effort had been made through the American Ambassador to obtain a list of British prisoners in the Dardanelles, and Turkey was warned that until these obligations were fulfilled Britain would not furnish similar information. Hitherto Britain had received only the names of the submarine crews and 136 officers and men.