THE BALKAN SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12241, 9 April 1903, Page 5

THE BALKAN SITUATION.

MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS. THE ALBANIAN RISING. THE REVOLUTION SPREADING. Br Telegraph.—Press Association.— London, April 7. Advices from Nish, the chief town of Southern Servia state that many Albanians have attacked Okhrida and massacred the Christians there. The Times correspondent declares that the Macedonians and Bulgarians are now out of hand, and that no foreign jrSuence wculd avail to arrest a revolution. The Albanians are determined to recover their ancient privileges. Stussien Hilmi Pasha is convinced of the inefficiency of reforms and suspects that Austria and Russia share his conclusions, and consider that reforms are only a make-shift to avert immediate international complications. One hundred and ten villagers in the Okhrida district of Southern Servia have been arrested for harbouring revolutionaries. The Daily Mail states that Catholic Albanians at Durezzo, on the Adriatic coast, have revolted owing to Turkey's exactions, and that several houses have been burned and a number of people killed. A general insurrection in Scutari is feared. The Sultan has reprimanded the commandant at Mitrovitza for firing on the Mussulman attackers before exhausting pacific means. Belgrade, April 7. Owing to differences with the Skuptschina, or National Assembly, King Alexander of Servia has suspended the Constitution, and dismissed the Senate and the Skuptschina. He also annulled several laws, but subsequently restored the Constitution for a new election.