THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3036, 5 November 1908, Page 5

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

EXCITED CROWDS AT BELGRADE. EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT. Received November 4, 7.55 a.m. BELGRADE, November 3. Excited crowds besieged the aprproaches to the Skuptschina prior to .an extraordinary session which was summoned for to day. There existed apprehensions that 'Austria ( intended to seize Belgrade, .and the Servian Government, in order to reassure the public, has sent strong military patrols to the Danube and Save Rivers, also to exposed outskirts of the city. .■RUSSIAN TROOPS ON FRONTIER. Received N6vember 4, 9 a.m. ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 3. Extraordinary inspections of Russian troops in the districts bordering Austria and Germany have been ordered. TRANQUILLISING THE SITUATION. SYMPATHETIC LETTER FROM THE CZAR. , Received November 4, 7.55 a.m. ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 3. It is reported in St. Petersburg -that the Crown Prince of Servia, who visited Russia on the Czar's invitation, has carried to Belgrade a letter from the Czar informing King Peter that Russia has re-affirmed her sympathy with the Southern Slavs, and • assuring him that Russia's efforts will be directed to tranquillising the situation by pacific means. The Servian delegates appear sanguine that Russia will not recognise the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary.

THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE. A RUSSIAN NOTE. Keceived November 4, 7.55 a.m. ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 3. A Russian Note containing proposals for consideration of a European Conference will be handed to the Austrian Ambassador at St. Petersburg (Count Berchthoid) on Saturday. A semi-official communique issued at St. Petersburg admits that Russia will afford moral support to Servia conditionally on that country abstaining from any incautious, inconside>*~ate step. \ - Received November 4, 9.0 p.m. SOFIA, November 4. M. Liopchof states that Bulgaria is prepared to negotiate for the purchase of the Oriental Railway with the Turkish Government or the Com- , pany owning the Jine. VIENNA, November 4. Austiia has received a Russian Note suggesting a conference to consider the questions of the annexation ■of Bosnia and flerasgovina and Bulgarian independence, including compensation to Turkey. Austrian officials consider the JNote distinctly unfriendly.