THE BALKANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 26

THE BALKANS.

AUSTRIA MORE CONCILIATORY. LONDON, December 2. It is reported in Vienna that ths Emperor Francis Joseph is alarmed at the danger resulting from the policy oi Baron Aehrenthal, which was initiated under pressure from .the Archduke FranciSj , and insists upon a peaceful solution of the ' difficulties created with Turkey, Servia, j and Russia. j A Belgrade telegram asserts that Austria is moving 100,000 more troops to Bosnia. A Buda-Pesth telegram states that Austria is assembling at Ragusa transports for 8000 troops. Circumstantial reports have reached Berlin and St. Petersburg that Baron Aehrenthal's position is severely shaken, partly owing to the disastrous effects of the Turkish boycott and parti}- to European disapproval of has policy. December 4. Reports affirm that Austria is increasing her army in the south to 60,000 men. The Telegraph's Paris correspondent advises that Great Britain, France, and Russia are about to address Austria. They propose to make firm representations regarding her menacing preparations, emphasising the fact of Servia's prompt and effective compliance with their recent appeal. December 5. The outspoken utterances of the Ministers and ex-Ministers in the Italian Chamber have caused a sensation in Vienna, and a profound impression in Paris, especially Signor Forti's declaration that the only State threatening Italy is her ally. The Times' Paris correspondent says that ihe Italian Government has already so far dissociated itself from the spirit of the Triple Allance as to have given France positive assurances regarding its attitude in the event of grave complications. PARIS, December 7. The Temps says that Russia and Italy have arranged a verbal understanding to support their mutual interests in the Balkans whatever happens. BERLIN, December 3. Prince yon Bulow, conversing with representatives of the Powers, expressed his -complete confidence that peace would be maintained, and that Austria would satisfactorily settle her differences with her neighbour*. VIENNA, December 1. . A Hungarian -newspaper publishes a telegram from Kasehan stating that a detachment of the 34th Infantry, which was proceeding to Bosnia, lost four men owing to an ambush prepared by a •Servian band. The telegram is unconfirmed. Renewed racial riots have occurred at Prague. The gendaimerie cleared, the streets at the point of the bayonet. December 2. . The pro-Servian, anti-German troubles at Prague have led to the proclamation of martial law. j December 3. j There have been pro-Servian riots at Bnmn, seveial persons being eeriously injured. December 5. Two steamers with ti'oops have left Fiume under sealed orders. Their destination is believed to be Cattaro. Two more steamers are to follow. ROME, December 4. j In connection with Signor FusinatoVs motion of confidence in the Government, moved in the Italian Chamber, Signor Forti described Austria's action as an effective violation of the Treaty of Berlin. The abandonment of Novi Bazar was in- | sufficient as compensation. Austria ought to evacuate Spezzia. Austria's position on the Adriatic would be greatly strengthened, thus facilitating her future designs, besides preventing the formation of a great Serb State. Italy was unable to oppose the annexation of the occupied provinces or to obtain compensation, but 6he could join the proposed conference with full liberty of judgment. Although Italy wished to remain loyal to the Triple Alliance, that loyalty vra& daily becoming more difficult, owing to Austria's extra- | ordinary and excessive armaments. The situation was sruch that Italy was within dagger of war. The Government ought to complete the defences of the country.— (Cheers.) " i December 5. Signor Fu"sinato's motion was adopted ' by 297 votes to 140. Signor Tittoni, in upholding the inter- : national treaties, declares that Austria, . by preferring uni-Jateral to a legal solu- ] lion based on the content of all the | Powers interested, had created a difficult i and uncertein situation in Euroj^ which i «

would react en the internal situation oJ other States, and which deeply disturbed their political atmosphere. He declared that Barzilaij's statement was unfounded. Signor Tittoni added that a Tapprochement between Italy and Russia was un fait accompli, and was bound to ; have important consequences in the future. k ST. PETERSBURG, December 2. f Russia has informed Austria that she I does not object to the latter arriving > at a direct understanding with Turkey ' r regarding Bosnia-Herzegovina if the other i ' Powers' at the conference are allowed liberty of discussion. , > ! CONSTANTINOPLE, December 1. ' I It is reported at Stamboul- that- Austria 'is more conciliatory. She has postponed • [ M. Pallavicini's departure, i i' December. 2. ' The Customs porters and boatmen at 1 Constantinople and Salonica, under Go- ■ vernmeut pressure, aTe handling Austrian goods. The popular boycott, however, is expected to continue until Austria resumes negotiations with Turkey. j December 3. I Satisfaction ie expressed at the Porte's correct attitude regarding the Customs porters, as its actions had proved effective in suppressing the boycott at the principal seaports. Austria is willing to negotiate regarding compensation for the annexation of the occupied provinces. Montenegro and Turkey have signed an exchange of sti'ips of territory rounding off their frontiers. i December 7. The Porte has sent seven batteries to Mitrovitza. The boycott of Austrian goods continues unabated.. Fiume is a seaport town- in Hungary, on the Gulf of Quarnero. in the Adriatic, 40 mites" S.E. of Trieste. Cattaro is a fortified seaport in the province of Dalmatia, - part •of which adjoins Herzegovina.