IN THE BALKANS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14206, 8 February 1915, Page 5

IN THE BALKANS.

POSITION OF SERVIA,

FIGHTING- FOR INDEPENDENCE,

NEW YORK, Saturday.

M. Pashitch, the Servian Premier, in response to a request by the American

press, has issued a statement. : . He says: "Despite tho fact that an Austro-Ger-man army of 400,000 is massing on our northern frontier for a third invasion in the brief period of six months, I am happy to be able to inform the American people of Servia's true jtositiou. This terrible struggle was .forced upon her. She is lighting for political, moral, industrial aud commercial liberty. At the conclusion of the second Balkan war Servia was freed from the Ottoman yoke, after five centuries of Turkish domination and constant warfare. If ever a country needed and desired peace, it was Servia. Then Austria realised that Servian development must lie checked, because that development meant ultimately a strong, independent nation, which was sin insurmountable barrier to the Austrian dreams of a Balkan dominion. Austria, declared war with the sole object of ending for ever our independent national existence. Austria was convinced that Russia was not prepared. Germany, in any ease, was strong enough to defeat Russia. If the other nations offer help to us we will accept it gratefully, but we do not ask anyone. If the Austro-Germuns crush .Servia they will not stop, but will junction with the Turks and constitute a new menace. The Austrian atrocities have no precedent in present or past wars. They indicate a return to barbarism as a result of Teutonic domination. I feel sure that, we are entitled to the sympathy and moral support of all fair-minded nations."