THE BALKANS CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15076, 20 August 1912, Page 7

THE BALKANS CRISIS.

MASSACRE IN ALBANIA.

CHRISTIANS MURDERED BY

MAHOMEDANS.

RETALIATION AGAINST TURKS

TWO VILLAGES SEIZED

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

Cettinje, August is. Mahometan Arnauts (Albanians) have massacred the Christian women and children of Berane, a small town in Albania, on the. Montenegrin frontier, and carried off the maidens into captivity.

The Christians retaliated by seizing two villages and razing three Turkish blockhouses.

Fighting is proceeding day and night.

The Turks threaten to exterminate the whole Serb and Christian population of the Berane district.

Several Christian villages near Berane have been set on fire by Turkish shells.

ANOTHER OUTRAGE.

TURKISH TOWN PILLAGED.

RELEASE OF CRIMINALS,

FURTHER RISINGS PROBABLE.

(Received August 19, 10.55 p.m.)

London, August 19.

The Constantinople correspondent of the Daily Telegraph reports that 12,000 Albanians, defying their chiefs entered Uskub (a Turkish town), pillaged the town and released the prisoners from the gaol.

• A force of 3000 then went to Koprulu (27 miles from Uskub), which was also seized.

Another band has gone, to Salonika, it is believed, with the intention to liberate Abdul Hamid, the late Sultan of Turkey.

Other telegrams state that the Albanians demand the restitution of their arms and the impeachment of Said Hakki'a Cabinet.

The more responsible Albanian leaders disavow liability for the release of the prisoners at Uskub.

The Government has sent 15 trustworthy battalions to Koprulu and Salonika.

The Malissori tribes are threatening trouble at Scutari (Albania). Germany is supporting the suggestion made by Count Berchtold (Austrian . Minister for Foreign Affairs) that the Powers should exchange views on the Balkan question.