THE BALKAN CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6679, 30 November 1908, Page 5

THE BALKAN CRISIS

TURKEY AND AUSTRIA BARON VON AEEENTHAL IS THREATENING. MENACE TO PEACE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 29, 4.38 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. The Constantinople correspondent of “ The Times ” quotes from the Grand Vizier’s organ, the ” Yeni Gazette,” a conversation which Baron von Aoronthal, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, had with Eeshad Bey, the Turkish Charge d’Affaires at Vienna. Baron von Aerenthal assured Ileshad Bey of his friendly feelings -towards Turkey. He had proved those feelings under the old regime when ho opposed with the utmost energy the hostile policy of Britain and Russia, who desired to detach Macedonia from the Turkish Empire. He had lately been animated by the same sentiraente in the negotiations with Constantinople, hut the friendly proposals of the Marquis Palavicini, the Austrian Ambassador, had been unfavourably received, and the negotiations ruptured. Reshad Bay replied in general terms, and expressed the hope that a conciliatory settlement would be reached.

To this Baron von Aerenthal rejoined that his constant efforts in that direction had boon fruitless. Austria wished to bo friends with Turkey, but she could also be an enemy. Baron von Aerenthal added that if the Porte assumed a hostile attitude towards Austria it would find itself always confronted by him. The Marquis Palavioini’a request for leave of absence would be granted when he (Baron von Aerenthal) was assured' that the negotiations were certain to fail. ■

WHAT 1®!) PAPERS SAY,

AUSTRIA’S ACTION UNJUSTIFIED,

THE POWERS AND THE BOYCOTT.

LONDON, November 28.

"The Times” says Baron von Aorenthal’s language is menacing to peace. There is nothing in Turkey’s attitude to justify its extraordinary tone. The negotiations were ended because Austria demanded the cessation of the boycott as a preliminary to the continuance of negotiations. The Paris correspondent of the “ Daily Mail ” says Russia will refuse to join the conference if the questions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are excluded and compensation to minor States fe'refused. “The Times” Berlin correspondent states,that Germany is confining her efforts to supporting Austria in obtaining cessation of the boycott, and is urging- that a conference is useless. VIENNA, November 28. The Austrian press attribute Turkey’s obstinacy to British encouragement. Austria has urged France to exert her friendly offices at Stambou! to terminate the boycott. M. Pichen, French Foreign Minister, has replied that France must abstain from intervention. THE HUNGARIAN PREMIER IOTERVIBWm PARIS, November 28. Dr Wekerle, Prime Minister of Hun-, gary, in an interview published in the Paris newspaper “ Le Matin,” said Austria had been compelled to annex Bos-, nia and Herzegovina, because if Servia acquired these provinces she would create a great dangerous State around Austria. This is interpreted to mean that Austria’s designs on Macedonia would be thereby blocked. WHAT THE BOYCOTT COST. LONDON, November 28. The Turkish boycott has cost Austria, Hungary two millions sterling in sugar* and clothing alone. Turkey has assured Austria that shej is endeavouring to do all that is legally possible to counteract the boycott. THE BAIL-WAY QUESTION. SOFIA, November 23. Bulgaria is willing to pay £4,440,001)| for the Oriental Railway seized by it,and for the capitalisation of the lioumelian tribute. GUNS MOUNTED. LONDON, November 38. Montenegro has mounted a series of heavy batteries on Mount Loochet,; dominating Cattaro, a seaport of Aus-, triar-Hungary, in Dalmatia.