BALKAN CRISIS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 3

BALKAN CRISIS.

BULGARIAN PREMIER'S SPEECH

A GRAVE SITUATION.

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reulcr's Telegram.)

BELGRADE, Dec. 30.

A grave situation between Jugoslavia- and Bulgaria followed a speech in the\Sobranje by lzanoff, the Bulgarian Premier, who referred to the treatment of Bulgarian minorities' and Bulgaria's dosira to suspend voluntary enlistment of the army, aiid hoped the Allied Powers would authorise the Government to temporarily recruit the army on a conscript basis. This is interpreted in Belgrade as a demand , to keep a standing army and equivalent to a challenge to the Jugo-Slavs. Cabinet discussed the speech, after which Raidteh, tho Serbian Minister in Sofia, was telegraphically instructed to return to Belgrade to confer with the Government. Official circles are of the opinion that Izanoff's utterance marks a definite change in the Bulgarian policy in favor of tho restoration of pre-war conditions of the Balkans. Tho newspapers, irrespective: of party, declare that it is the duty of the Government to adopt military steps, if necessary, to assure the future prosperity.