AUSTRIA'S AIMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13939, 22 December 1908, Page 5

AUSTRIA'S AIMS.

BALKAN POLICY EXPLAINED. THE PAN-SERB AGITATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright. (Received December 21, 11 p.m.) Vienna, December 21. A debate in the Reichsrath to-day on the Balkan situation revealed an ambition on the part of some of the authors of the annexation policy to transform the, dual monarchy into a tripartite empire, the . newest autonomous State comprising Croatia proper, Slavonia, Dalmatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, with the idea of ultimately including the whole Servian race. Baron von Bienerth, the Austrian Minister for the Interior, remarked that Servia and Montenegro had long cherished the fantastical hope that occupation of the recentlyannexed provinces would cease. This catchword had been propagated from Servia as a means of creating unrest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore Austria was compelled to annex, in order to neutralise the Pan-Serb agitation. It is stated that Turkey's indemnity claim and Austria's offer are gradually mutually approximating (Received December 21, 10 p.m.) Cettinge, December 21. Montenegrin merchants have resolved to boycott Austrian goods. ANGLO-RUSSIAN PLOT. THE AUSTRIAN LEGEND. (Received December 22, 1.25 a.m.) London, December 21. Professor Arminius Vambery now apparently accepts the Austrian legend that Britain and Russia plotted as rivals against Austria's Balkan interests. He blames the English Liberals for the feeling engendered against Austria.