BALKAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144086, 3 May 1913, Page 3

BALKAN CRISIS.

AMBASSADORS’ CONFERENCE. HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, May 2. Although Count Mensdorff, Austrian Ambassador in London, conveyed to the Ambassadors’ Conference Austria’s intention to hold herself at liberty to take independent action, it is hoped in many quarters that, owing to Montenenro’s more conciliatory disposition, Austria will stay her hand, if only for a few' days. M. Popovitch has made overtures for a friendly settlement. Montenegro’s reply to tho Powers denies any intention to defy them. It trusts that the Scutari question will bo distressed between the Allies and tho Powers as part of tho whole question of tho Albanian frontier. She yesterday offered to surrender Scutari for territorial compensation, but Austria will not agree to any compensation at Albanian expense. Tbo Powers hopo that a few days’ patience will facilitate a peaceable settlement. / Peace negotiations between Turkey and tho Allies wiil open in London in a few days, when tho Powers will draft a preliminary agreement to bo submitted for their signature. The Ambassadors sat for two and ahalf hours, and then, adjourned t*i Monday, in: the hope of obtaining a fuller guiding formula. CETTIGNE, May 2. Russia on Wednesday renewed a demand for the immediate evacuation of Scutari in tho bluntest terms, intimating that Montenegro .was courting ruin. The communication has created the greatest bitterness, and is interpreted as a veiled hint of Austrian intervention. ESSAD PASHA'S POLICY. (Received May 3, 9.23 a.m.) ■ ATHENS, May 2. Tho Bulgarian regiment, with the exception of one company, has evacuated Salonika. A telegram from Corfu states that Essad Pasha has established his Government at Tirana and proclaimed tho autonomy of Albania with Turkey as suzerain Power. Ho hoisted tho Turkish, not the Albanian flag. He recognised the authority of tho Orthodox Church. The now Government is not hostile to Greece.