BALKAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144084, 1 May 1913, Page 3

BALKAN CRISIS.

HOPES OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT. BRITISH PRESS COMMENTS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, April 30. Austria’s announcement that she is acting independently was made to the Vienna editors and foreign correspondents, and not to any Cabinet. There is a heavy .momentary decline on the stock exchanges. The Daily Mail, in a leading article headed “Attempt to Frighten tho Powers,” says that Austria’s vague menaces are not likely to overcome the objections of King Nicholas to forcible ejection. Tho Morning Post says that diplomatists doubt whether it will suit Austria to engage in a costly war, arousing Russia. It contends that there aro other means of coercion, including Montenegro’s pressing need for money. It states that British Government circles aro hopeful of a settlement.

The Times says that as the Powers arc unanimous regarding the substance, namely, being determined that Europe’s will must prevail, and aro divided only regarding procedure, it is impossible to conceive that Austria will bo so incredibly rash as to take immediate single-handed action. The Chronicle’s Vienna correspondent says that Prince Danilo handed Essad Pasha a telegram from tho Turco-Al-banian Committee at Constantinople urging Essad Pasha and Djavid Pasha to save |Albania and overthrow Kemal Pasha’s provisional at ,Valonn.

Essad Pasha concluded a compact with King Nicholas, providing for the Sultan’s sovereignty in Albania, which will join the Balkan League, Montenegro to have Scutari and San Giovanni.

King Nicholas supplied Essad with ammunition and provisions and released and armed five thousand Turkish prisoners. , It is stated that Russia patronised the. scheme.

Tho Telegraph's Vienna correspondent states that Haroii Giosl, at Cettigne, demanded, on behalf of AustriaHungary, the immediate and unconditional evacuation of Scutari. King Nicholas peremptorily declined.

With a view to preventing unnecessary delay, tho Powers are arranging for tho preparation of a basis of peace for tho approval of ,tho belligerents. Monday’s conference showed .that a majority of tho Powers are not prepared to adopt warlike measures against Montenegro, although they are apparently prepared to consent to tho occupation of some coast town in tho event of continued recalcitrancy.

Some diplomatists, interviewed in London, suggest that Essad Pasha, with a more or less organised following, enjoys the prestige of the gallant defence of Scutari. These influences are missing in the case of a foreign prince or other outside nominee. Therefore it is hinted that if he be allowed to govern Albania, Essad should be willing, in exchange for Scutari, to make concessions satisfying Montenegro. VIENNA. April 30.

The Allgemeine Zeitung says that the Ambassadors on Thursday will decide which, if any, of the Powers should participate in Austria’s possible coercive action in tho event of King Nicholas refusing to yield unconditionally.

Tho newspapers continue impatient, and tho military organs demand the breaking off of the conferences.

' Austria will await tho decision of Thursday’s conference of Ambassadors. CETTIGNE, April 30.

The Government has postponed a final reply to, the Powers Until after the Greek Easter. ORDERS TO ESSAD PASHA. (Received May 1, 1.50 p.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, May 1. It is semiofficially stated that Essad Pasha has officially reported his arrival at Alessio, and asked tho Porte for instructions. Tho Porte ordered him to disarm and dismiss tho Albanian, troops and sent the remained©!- to Beirut, or if tho blockade prevented that, to Valona. ,