THE BALKAN SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12240, 8 April 1903, Page 5

THE BALKAN SITUATION.

INTERVIEW WITH THE SULTAN THE RISING IN ALBANIA. THREAT OF AUSTRIAN OCCUPATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. Constantinople, April 6. M. Zenovieff, the Russian, Baron Calice, the Austrian, and Sir Nicholas O'Conor, the British Ambassadors, have interviewed the Sultan and urged the necessity for the military occupation of the chief centres in Albania. The Sultan promised compliance, and professed his intention to send 32 Anatolian battalions to Albania. ' In the event of coercion he is to employ Anatolian troops alone. It is suspected, however, that he will rely on persuasion and money to pacify the districts. Vienna, April 6. The Austrian troops at A gram, Sarafeus, and Temesvar, have been mobilised. Austria has warned the Sultan that she will occupy Mitrovitza unless the Albanians are coerced.

According to the Aust.ro-Bussian scheme of reforms, the Porte is required to keep the Albanians in order, and it is intimated in the official Russian statement'of the scheme that their consuls will watch over the execution of the reforms. The application of the scheme to the Albanians' vilayets will legalise their tyranny over the Christian uiineT-'t" in them. The Turkish Government in 1879 and 1830 was afraid of them, and probably is still, for they have influential compatriots at Constantinople. But its officials dm* not hesitate te use them in the latter year to obstruct the rectification of the Montenegrin frontier. If the Porte wants to wreck the scheme, the Albanians are ready to be its tools. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Committees appear etiil to he organising; revolution in Macedonia, and feeling in the Balkan States in very bitter against the scheme. Preparations are being made in Austria-Hungary and Russia to apply coercion. But one cannot heln fearing that they may be meant for the Bulgarians. A good deal has been said in the Italian Chamber about the claims of Italy to Albania-, and the danger if Austria-Hun-gary pets a foothold on the coast. It seems, however, that an understanding on this subject wad arrived at in 1893 between the two Governments.