THE BALKANS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14356, 28 October 1908, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE. PORTE'S REPLY TO THE POWERS. AWAITING THE SULTAN'S' APPROVAL. Press Association-By 'Telegraph-Copyright CONSTANTINOPLE.. Octohcr 26. The Porte's reply to the. inquiries made by Great Britain, France, and Russia awaits the Sultan's approval next- Saturday, a tier the [east- of Bairam. It will then i|:o communicated to the Powers inlereMetJ. The I'orlc accepts as subjects for discussion by the conference consideration of the status o[ Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, and the extent-. of compensation due owing to the alterations in the status of those provinces; but- the Porte asks the six Powers to guarantee the Ottoman Empire against- any further aggression. The I'orlc is also ready to discuss a. modification of the existing capitulations, hut- the Cretan question, if it. should arise, must be reserved for discussion between i-li? Pcrle and' (he protecting Powers exclusively. Tli-;* reply adds that- the claims of Sarvia- and l of Montenegro for territorial compensation do not concern Turkey. This ivil' leave the discussion on this aspect- of lite question solely to Austria and her aggrieved neighbours. GERMANY AS AN INTERMEDIARY. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 26. Kianiil Pasha- has requested Germany to advise Austria to accept the proposal to hold a conference. GERMANY AND RUSSIA IN UNISON. BERLIN, October 27. (Received Oct. 27, at 10.58 p.m.) It is semi-ofßeially announced in Berlin that Germany and Russia nro at one in recognising that a -conference would be useful only if all the .signatories to the Berlin Treaty previously- came to, an agreement- regarding the scope and contents of the programme. The statement adds that Germany, cannot, assent to any proposals whereto Austria-Hungary raises objections. These, points will form the subject bf further, .negotiations. Oil the other hand Germany agrees on the other points of the Graft- scheme, which, have been elaborated as a. result of M. Isvolsky's negotiations in London and Paris, particularly for aimij-sments in which the interests of Turkey are concerned, TURKEY AND AUSTRIA. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 27. (Received Oct. 27, at 10.58 p.m.) It is stated at Constantinople, 'thatAustria is willing to accept- the Porte's verbal assurance that Turkey will recognise- Austria's annexations .ami not. raise (Miscnssion thereon at the conference. "The Austrian Ambassador will resume pourparlers with the Porte after the feast cf Bairam. ATTACKS ON BRITAIN. , / REPLY BY SIR K ftREY. LONDON, October 27. (Received Oct-. 27, at- 10.58 p.m.) Sir E. Grey has authorised the follow- ! •ing statement:—"The reports in the Austrian press that (lie interruption of * direct negotiations between Turkey and ! Austria was due to Britain's advice and influence are totally devoid of foundation.' Throughout, the negotiations Britain's viow ' was that- a oiicet. arrangement between Turkey and Austria, if satisfactory to Turkey, would smooth the way for a general settlement, tot it was for Turkey to decide whether the proposals mado were acceptable, as she was', tho best judge of her own interests." 9 SERVIAN ISLAND OCCUPIED. ■ AUSTRIAN' AGGRESSION.' LONDON, October 26. A message- from Belgrade states that Austrian, soldiers have occupied tho Servian island of Bressina, in- the River Drin. SERVIAN CROWN PRINCE. INVITED TO 'RUSSIA. . ST. PETERSBURG, October 26. The Czar invited the Servian Crown Prince to Russia, but the motives for the invitation are unknown.