THE BALKANS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 100, 23 December 1912, Page 6

THE BALKANS.

THE PEACE CONFERENCE. (By Electric Telegraph,—Copyright. (United Press Association.) London, December 22. The King gave an audience to th peace delegates for half an hour. Th peace conference sat for two hours The Turks are prepared to negoti.it with the Greeks, but as a preliminarj on humanitarian grounds) ask to b allowed to re-victual Adnanople an other heseiged towns. The Allies rt plied that that question had previous ly been settled at Chataldja, and wa outside the scope of the present con fere nee. The Turks replied that they mus refer the matter to the Porte. The conference adjourned until to morrow. Belgrade, December 22. Tho Government adheres to tin Powers’ recommendations regardin' the Albanian autonomy and the Ser fans’ commercial access to the port.

ADRIANOPLE

Paris, December 21

Le Temps’ Constantinople correspondent reports that Reshid Pasha has been instructed to raise the question of Adrianople at the Peace Con ference quickly. If the Bulgarian: persist in its surrender Turkey will break off negotiations.

ALBANIA’S ALTONOMV

London, December

It is officially stated that the greal Powers have agreed to the Ambassa dors’ recommendation for the accept ance of Albania’s autonomy with :

guarantee to give Scrvia’s commercia access to the Adriatic.

MONTENEGRO’S POSITION

London, December 20

The Daily Chronicle’s Cettinje cor rcsmyalent reports that there is ai agiH» /to dethrone King Nichola: becavfscv the Montenegrins lacked sue

cess compared with the Servian tri umphs. To restore his popularity. King Nicholas assumed command o. Skutari. During the two months he had command tho Turks were enables to improve their position, while tin Montenegrin army was reduced. Tin country generally was in a deplorable condition.

PROGRESS OF PEACE

(Received 8.0 a.m.) London. December 22

The newspaper Observer declarethat the Bulgarians are obdurate, and declare that war is preferable to acceding to tlie request concerning the re-victualling of Adrianople. Vienna, December 22.

Pasics’s spontaneously expressed to tho Austro-Hungarian Minister that the recent blunders were the fault of individual military officers in the Pro chasca incident, which is now satisfactorily closed.

Paris, December 22

M. Poincaire, in the Chamber, foreshadowed Albanian autonomy under the Sultan’s suzerainty and European control, with a free neutral port of Servia and means of railway communication like it was under European control.

An official communique issued emphasises the marked improvement in the international situation, and adds: “Austria, who hitherto maintained an

attitude of reserve, has derided tr come into line with all the othe 1 Powers, and urge prudence and mod oration with Turkey.” It concludes “Peace made great strides during th; last forty-eight hours.” (Received 9.10 a.m.) Paris, December 22.

M. Poiricairo, speaking alternately in the Chamber and the Senate, said he hoped for an early settlement cf th ' Balkan trouble, but if war resulted France would offer mediation. _ He anticipated that peace, when signed, would rest on a solid basis. The Balkan Allies rose in the name of justice and liberty, bespeaking France’s goodwill in judging their work, while Turkey would retain a considerable part of the Empire, enabling them to continue their fruitful relations witn France.

(Received 8.-15 a.m.) Belgrade, December 22. The newspapers state that the Turks are making excuses at the Peace Conference, so as to gain time. They urge the Allied parties to force peace or immediately resume hostilities. Constantinople, December 22. The Mali, of Janina, reports that the Greeks were repulsed after a five days’ battle.

London, December 22

The Balkan delegates have decided to wreath the late W. E. Gladstone’s monument in gratitude for a great faithful friend.