THE BALKANS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10476, 11 October 1912, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

GREAT BATTLE EXPECTED,

TURKEY PROMISES REFORMS.

United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. St. Petersburg, October 10. At a mass meeting at Moscow, 3000 volunteers^,were enrolled to assist Servia. London, October 9. Reuter’s Podgoritza correspondent reports that an artillery duel lasted for hours. The Turks evacuated the heights at Planitza. The Montenegrins then attacked a foi titled position at Detcchich. The Turks were reinforced in the afternoon. A general engagement is continuing. Constantinople, October 9. Newspapers assert that the Albanian leader Reza Bey, with 4000 men, broke the Montenegrin line at Berano and penetrated Montenegrin territory for six miles. Turkish papers hail the declaration of war as a day of festival. The papers are delighted that the suspense has ended. The Ikdam newspaper writes: “Forward, Ottomans, embrace your firearms ! Forget your differences!” Five Ambassadors are deliberating on the text of the Note to bo addressed to the Porte. The Ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, and Servia are without instructions, but their luggage is packed and they have secured places on a steamer leaving to-day. , The Sultan went to the Topaku Palace and prayed over the relics of the Prophet* for the success of the Ottoman arms. All able bodied men at Adrianople have been called to the colours. Four Bulgarian spies were arrested at Adrianople. Mr Bennett Burliegh, the war correspondent, who is at Sofia, states that a great battle is expected. The Adrianople" trains are full of regulars and irregulars who are constantly passing frontier wards. Cettinje, October 10. King Nicholas’ proclamation to the army at ;Podgoritza : calls on the Montenegrins to help their brethren in old Servia, where men, women and children are being massacred. Peaceful endeavours to protect the martyrs have failed. Montengro is settng out on a holy undertaking to prevent the extermination of her brethren, assured of the sympathy of the civilised world, also with the loyal assistance of the Kings of Servia, Bulgaria and Greece, whose people have ranged themselves with Montenegro in this affair like brothers.

It is estimated that Manchester is losing £30,000 daily owing to the stoppage of trade with the near East. There have been heavy falls on the foreign market stock exchange. Consols 70%. Paris, October 10. The slump on the Bourse is the worst for thirty years. Vienna and Berlin are nervous. Vienna, October 10, The Turkish Ambassador states that Bulgaria desires Macedonia, Montenegro, Scutari, Servia, the plain of Kossano, Greece, and Crete, and possibly Epirus. In response to Austria’s solicitation the Porte has already promised far reaching concessions. They have been despatched on a special commission to Albania.

DEFINITE GUARANTEES WANTED. Received October 11, 10.115 a.m. London, October 10. The Liberal Foreign Affairs Group, including Messrs Eyles and Ponsonby, resolved that no settlement will be satisfactory unless definite guarantees of effective reform in Macedonia are given. THE POWERS CONCERNED. Constantinople, October 10. Mobilisations in the Balkans notwithstanding mutual exchange of views is concerning the Powers. Representations are steadily proceeding. Shots were exchanged by outposts at Klissura, southwest of Tsaribrod. ESCAPE MILITARY ' SERVICE. Five thousand Rayhas in Turkey have paid the Treasury tax of £4O to escape military service.

RUSSIA HELPS MOBILISATION. Loudon, October 10. The Chronicle’s Constantinople correspondent witnessed at Cettinje a month ag oactive mobilisation preparations under a Russian general and four assistants lent by Russia. "" AEROPLANES FOR TPIE BALKANS. Paris, October 10. Thirty French aeroplanes have gone to the Balkan States in a fortnight. THE POWERS’.PROPOSALS. Received October 11, 9 a.m. London, Octoler 10. Correspondents at Sofia, Belgrade and Athens state that the general impression is that the Powers were three weeks over late with “the Note which might have averted mobilisation. The only possibility of peace was tbe Powers insisting on European Governments giving tbe allies representation on a European Board for supervision of reforms Sofia. October 10. M. Gueschaff, interviewed, said the pronosals of the Powers were unsatisfactory, giving no guarantees. Bulgaria had spent so much and cannot withdraw without somehiug substantial. Athens, October 10. Newspapers complain bitterly of Britain’s alleged pro-Turkish attitude. , _ Belgrade, October 10. Prince George has asked his father to give him command of a tegiment. AUSTRIAN GOODS BOYCOTTED” A boycott has been declared of Austrian goods as a protest against the favourable attitude towards Turkey.

AN ANGEY ARMY. Salonika, October 10, The army is angry at Cabinet’s acceptance of the reforms of 1880, and there have beera meetings of protest. ALBANIA ENTHUSIASTIC. Enthusiasm is immense in Albania over the war. Leaders state that they have 100,000 men, and are able to defeat the Servians and Montenegrins alone.

A BRITISH PROTEST,

London, October 10.

Sir E. Grey telegraphed the Porte that the detention of Greek vessels cannot be justified by international law inasmuch as British interests are affected, and they must strictly preserve all rights of other Powers similarly. Cettinje, October 10. All men between the ages of 18 and 50 have joined, the army. Prince Peter opened the campaign, firing a shot against Tuzi’s fortifications before the battle. The general commanding at Podogoritza succeeded him, fearing that the King’s presence meant that he would be superseded. Ten battalions of Turkish infantry and 5000 ; Basin Bazonks are advancing from Salt Chi for Scutari’s relief. Salonika, October 10. A message states that Essad Pasha, commanding the Scutari column, passed thekiver Coyanna unopposed. RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE. Berlin, October 10. Several newspapers criticise Russia, believing she is behind Montenegro. They accuse Russia of mobilising! Poland on pretext of a test of mobilisation. Russia denies the statements. Constantinople, October 10. The French and Russian Ambassadors have urged the Porte to grant complete to Macedonia in order to avoid, war.

Athens, October 10. King George was ovationed. ROUMANIAN ASSURANCE. London, 'October 10. The Times’ Bucharest correspondent says that Koumania tendered Bulgaria explicit assurances regarding neutrality in the'event .of a war. Turkey, he adds, endeavoured without success in September to secure the co-operation of Roumania, recalling the consideration of November, 1910. , PEACE PROBABLE. Sofia, October 10. M. Quechoff, in an interview, said he did not despair of peace at the eleventh hour. The exchange of views betwean Greece and Servia continues. Athens, October 10. The King and the Premier delivered pacific restraining speeches. Constantinople, October 10. There are rumours that the Powers are increasing steps to restrain the Balkan powers and stop Montenegro. Paris, October 10. It is reported that Austria-Hungary has concentrated 12,500 troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES,

Received October 11, 1 p.m. Yeinua, October 10, The Albanian villages northward of Bojana river axe ablaze. Numerous Albanians sought refuge at Skutari, but the Motenegrius tired rifles at them for upwards , of an hour. An Austrian steamer proceeding from Bojano to Oattaro was likewise tired on. Count Berohtold, in thanking the Hungarian Delegations for the vote of confidence, said the Monarchy had associated itself with the Great Powers to preserve the status quo in the Balkans where Austria had vital interests which it was determined to preserve.