THE BALKANS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10479, 15 October 1912, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

A TURKISH DEFEAT. United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Cettinje, October 14. Chipcenik has been practically demolished by the Montenegrin artillery. General Martinovics reports an engagement below Chafbotil heights. After a fierce struggle the Turks were repulsed, losing three hundred killed and wounded. The Montenegrins’ final charge up the precipitous crags at Detchitch was so furious that the Turks were unable to disable their guns before x-etreating. They were fired at with their own guns by the Montenegrins. The total Turkish force in the Scutari region is sixteen battalions. The Montenegrins are striving to prevent a retreat southwards. Two Turkish gunboats on Lake Scutari bombarded General Martinovics’ right wing. The barracks at Cettinje has been transformed into an hospital with 1000 beds. General Yukovics" 1 is operating with a view to junctioniug with the Servians. BRITISH TROOPS FOR CRETE.

Malta, October 14. The 2nd battalion of the Northampton Regiment has been ordered to be in readiness to proceed to Crete. TURKS STRENGTHEN SCUTARI. Eassad Pasha reached Scutari, and is strengthening the garrison, while two batttalions hold the line of communication against the Malissori. The heir to the throne will go to Adrianople to-day i The Sultan will go on Tuesday. THE BULGARIAN DEMANDS. London, October 14. The Daily Mail’s Spfia correspondent says that Bulgaria demands the decentralisation of the Governments of European Turkey, an elective Council for each Government, and proportional representation of the various nationalities in the Constantinople Parliament. The Note does not impose a time limit. Sofia, October 14. The Bulgarian demands include Belgian and Swiss governors, with gendarmerie and militia under Belgian and Swiss officers, reforms to be entrusted to a superior Council controlled by the Powers, and to be carried out within half a year. The public acclaimed the declaration to make Servian and Bulgarian money interchangeable.

TURKISH DESERTERS TO BULGARIA. Many Christian deserters from the Turkish army have entered Bulgaria. AUSTRIA AND RUSSIA. Vienna, October 14. The Nouwiener Tagblatt denies that Bosnian volunteers are joining Servia. M. Berchtold, the Austrian Foreign Minister, has initiated negotiations with a view to preventing an Austro-Russian conflict during or after the Balkan war. He asks .Russia to approve of the non-annexation of Novibazar by Servia or Montenegro. Nevertheless Austria is apparently indisposed to give a pledge to refrain from new conquests in the Balkans. There are persistent rumours of the mobilisation of four Austrian army corps. There is much comment over Panic’s remarks. The Neue Presse representative says that if the other Powers interfere, Russia will do likewise. Then there will be danger of a world’s war. The remark is interpreted as Russia’s answer to M. Berchtold concerning tho maintenance of Austrian interests in tiic Balkans. Berlin, October 14. The Foreign Office, through the Gazette, rebukes the tactics of little Pan-German newspapers in acusing Britain of fomenting a European conflagration by inciting the Balkans to attack Turkey. GREEK ACTIVITY.

Athens, October 14. Greeks arc leaving Stamboul in large numbers for Adrianople. reported spies proved to be harmless cattle dealers. Reserves from Ipek and Ragova were sent to Berane and Gusinje. The fighting around Gusinje favours the Turks.

EFFECT ON FINANCE. London, October 14. The slump on the Paris bourse is unparalleled since 1870, It is estimated that the loss since the last settlement represents 16 million sterling. Leading banks vainly attempted to stem the panic. The Russian bourse and the leading banks also endeavoured to stimulate the Berlin bourse. London, October 14. Consols—72 15-16. AUSTRIA’S INTENTIONS. Received October 15, 9 a.m. Vienna, October 14. It is stated that no action by either Montenegro or Servia in Novibazar will induce Austria to interfere. The rumours of mobilisation in Bosnia are unfounded and only after termination of hostilities will Austria act. GREECE’S DEMANDS. , Athens, October 14. Greece’s demands to Turkey are exactly similar to Servia’s and Buigm'ici’s, TURKEY’S "REPLY'. Constantinople, October 14, The Turkish reply to the Powers’ Note has been communicated to the Austrian Ambassador. The reply states that.. Turkey is determined to

carry out reforms, but cannot tolerate foreign interference. A GREEK DEMAND. Greece has demanded the release of and indemnity for the seized merchantships within 24 hours. THE CAPTURED FORT. Received October 13, 11 a. m. Podgoritza, October 14, Settadine Bey, the commander captured at Detchittch, states that the fort was only loose stones, and there were only 400 defenders, of whom a quarter were non-Turkish and deserted during the fight. 'When the ‘Montenegrins attacked he did not know that war had broken out. The old artillery was unable to reply to the Montenegrins’ firing at 5000 metres. The defenders were finally overwhelmed by numbers in a hand to hand struggle. THE CRETAN DEPUTIES. Athens, October 14. The Cretan deputies profiting by tli© wax*, defied the Powex’s tuicl entered the Greek Chamber.

THE COMMERCIAL BAROMETER. London, October 14. The Stock Exchange and the Continental Bourses are steadier. Consols touched 72jJ, and closed at 72%. . p . The Bank of England is refusing ,to discount below 5 per cent. Belgrade, October 14. It is officially reported that the Turkish troops crossed the frontier at Ristovac and attacked Sorvia. The Montenegrins occupied Visitorhill and two other positions commanding Gnsinjo. They took four machine guns, rifles, ana ammunition. The Turkish losses were heavy. The Montenegrin casualties since the outbreak were 265 killed and 800 wounded.