War Again

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 19, 23 June 1913, Page 5

War Again

In the Balkans 6ERVIA AND BULGARIA COME TO BLOWS. FIGHTING ON THE FRONTIER By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 23, 12.40 a.m. London, June 21.. A Belgrade correspondent telegraphs that as the result of concentration Bulgaria now has a numerical superiority over Servia of 85,000 infantry and cavalry, and 15 batteries of quick-firers. Conscious of this preponderance, Bulgaria has begun skirmishes on the Servian lines, almost equivalent to an unofficial war. The Bulgarians have crossed the river Zlatovschitza, and it is officially stated that the Servians have had twenty-two pounded. \,' Private-reports declare that two com-. ■ : ; panies have been annihilated. Both sides are now reinforced. Bulgarian troops appeared on the Servian side of the Ashogovo mountain,' expelling the outposts. Fifty Bulgarians attacked the Servian outposts at Kamanovo, and were repulsed. Sofia, June 22. Servia has rejected the proposal to demobilise. MONTENEGRINS ACTIVE. CROSS THE ALBANIAN FRONTIER. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. Vienna, June 21. ) It is reported that the Montenegrins (Crossed the Albanian frontier, 25 miles , north of Scutari, and that the Malissori \ are assembling to prevent further in-; roads. Vice-Admiral Burney, in command of the Powers' forces, has requested the ; Montenegrins to withdraw. a critical situation. Austrian" policy. | must have a voice. Belgrade, June 20. The situation is critical, owing to the Cazr's dilemma of having to arbitrate on the basis of the Serbo-Bulgarian treaty, thus prejudicing the case , against Servia, or on the basis of equity, -. irrespective of the details of the treaty, thus prejudicing the ease against Bulgaria. Vienna, June 20. Count Tisza, in the Hungarian Chamber,' in a carefully prepared speech, defined Count Berchtold's policy, declaring that Russia cannot be allowed to settle ] the Balkan question without AustroHungarian co-operation. Austria would not exert pressure on the Balkan Allies, as the latter were independent States, free to choose war or arbitration. FEELING IN GREECE. j A PAINFUL IMPRESSION. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. Athens, June 21. Count Tisza's speech has created a painful impression at Athens, where it is interpreted that Austria supports Bulgaria's uncompromising attitude. BULGARIA AND GREECE. SIGNS OF PACIFIC SETTLEMENT. I Received 22, 5.5 p.m. ] Sofia, June 21. Bulgaria accepts Greece's proposal to stop Bulgarian concentration in the vicinity of the Greek lines and to reduce the effective soldiers in Macedonia if Greece consents to a joint occupation of the territories formerly occupied by Bulgaria, and also the territories southwest of Macedonia occupied by Greece. Bulgaria also complains of molestation of Bulgarians in districts under Greek occupation, and holds Greece responsible for any violence. THE POWERS OPTIMISTIC. ' RUSSIA AGAINST SERVIA. ROUMANIA HOLDS THE KEY. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. London, June 21. Notwithstanding pessimistic advices from the Balkans, the best-informed circles in London, Paris, Berlin and > Vienna anticipate a peaceful settlement of the Serbo-Bulgarian dispute. Bulgaria insists on the full concession of her demands, believing that a display of firmness will enable her to win most of them. The latest messages have driven Russia to remove her support from Servia. Meanwhile Roumania, dissatisfied with the small territorial concessions, holds the key to the final issue in the event of war. APPORTIONING THE FINANCES. THE POSITION OF THE BELLIGERENTS. Received 21, 1.55 p.m. Paris, June 20. The Balkan financial Commission unanimously admitted the five belligerents to a deliberative voice in the proceedings, instead of a consultative one. BULGARIA'S REPLY TO SERVIA. BULGARIA'S AMAZEMENT. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, June 20. - Bulgaria's reply to Servia expressed amazement at the revision, and emphasises that Servia should be content a commercial access to the Adriatic. The junction of the Servian and Montenegrin frontiers would place Dieleigno and Antivari at Servia's disposal. It urges Servia to withdraw its demand and to refer the settlement of the disputed zone to the Czar's arbitration.