THE NEAR EAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2321, 14 October 1908, Page 3

THE NEAR EAST.

A MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW,

INDIGNATION AGAINST AUSTRIA.

GERMANY'S ASSURANCE TO TURKEY.

United I’rkss Association, copyright

. LONDON, October 12. It is ofliciully stated in regard to an interview la ding two hours that look place between M. Isvotsky, Russmn Munster for Foreign Affairs, and Sir Edward Grey, British Minister lor I'oroign Affairs, that this exelm;'go oi: view* affords a reason a bio ground for hoping tint a satisfactory so;u,.ton will bo found for a settlement 01 the pending question, cl* Edward had an audience with , " Edward Grey for an hour yesterday morning, and with M. Isvotsky loi nearly an hour in tho afternoon. Edward Grey and-'M. Isvotskv’s conference will lie rosumed to-diy." 1 lie “Telegraph” comments oil the extraordinary statement. and the ! l-mtiv” .declares that tho principle is dangerous, adding that Austria had signet, so many treaties against its will.

, -V-r- .Vquith, spe iking at Leeds, c anned that, tho whole * nation approved of tho British policy in the Near East. He reiterated that there would be no retrenching on the margin of our a soured naval supremacy, which for us as a nation was a margin of safety.

Str Edward Grey, in reply to Montenegro’s protest, declared that the annexation was a violation of the Treaty of Berlin.

_ BELGRADE, October 12. The Skupsteliina’s meeting was a very stormy one. M. Milovanoviteh, Minister for Foreign Affairs, declared that one reason why hostilities were impossible was the scarcity of ammunition for the new field artillery from, .the Creuzot works. The ammunition was detained on Austrian territory.

The leaders of all parties criticised the terms of the Government’s note to the Powers concerning annexation. on the ground that the terms would not satisfy Servia’s patriotic aspirations.

M. Milovanoyiteh succeeded in convincing the House of the correctness of the Cabinet’s attitude.

. VIENNA, October 12. Baron Aehrenthal, addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Austrian Delegation, emphasised Austria’s benevolent (feelings' towards Servia. He added that on the occasion of the prolong ition of tho Danube Convention he contemplated proposing that Servia and Bulgaria be admitted thereto.

B iron Aehrenthal contended that the secret agreement mentioned in the cables was annulled by the Constantinople Convention of 21st April. 1879, which did not mention provisional occupation. He remarked that the secret agreement of IS7S was signed against Austria's will, because Tu:key wanted to break up the congress at the last moment,-and Count Andrassy thought occupation would suffice for the immediate future. CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct.. 12. A meeting of 20,000 peojde at Aclrianop’e resolved t 0 telegraph to all the Great Powers except Austria a. protest against the declaration of the independence of Bulgaria and the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovim. . . A great meeting at Salonika -charged Bulgaria with attempting to disturb the tranquility of Macedonia and revive the fratricidal struggles of the p ist. Cheers were raised outside the Consulate of the British, Greek, Servian, and Bulgarian agencies, and hooted Austria. . ~ The reply of Servia relating to reservists is explained as summoning those connected with the maintenance of order in the interior. Baron Biobersten, German Ambussador to Turkey, has written a declaration which has assured the Porte on behalf off the Kaiser thit the events in the Balkans occurred without Germany’s opinion having previously been obtained. CETTINGE, October 12.

A. great meeting thanking Britain was held at Cettinge. The Austrian Consulate shield was burnt at An- ' BERLIN, October 12. The newspaper “Fremdeblatt,” in an inspired article, states that Germany. Russia, and -Austria secretly a freed in 1881 that Austria had liberty to take Boc-nia and Herzegovina whenever convenient.

SERVIAN GOVERNMENT’S RUSE

PACIFIC POLICY TO BE PURSUED

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 13, 11.38 p.m.)

BELGRADE, Oct, 13. The Skuptechina’s alleged vote against war was deliberately circulated by the Servian Government on Sunday in order to allay the warlike excitement in the streets. . The Skuptschina unanimously resolved to give the Government a free hand to allow it to safeguard Servian interests, and also voted sixteen million francs to make the army more efficient, . ~ , . The Government is strengthened m its resolve to pursue a pacific policy, and lias rebuked the Crown X mice for his utterances. MOMTENEGRAN GOVERNMENT.WAR SUPPLIES VOTED. United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 13, 11.38 p.m.) CETTINGE, Oct. 13. The Montenegran Parliament, at a secret sitting, voted all the Government’s requests for war supplies. PRINCE FERDINAND. RECEPTION - AT SOFIA. United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 13, 11,38 p.m.)

SOFIA,-Oct. 13. Prince Ferdinand had a great reception at Sofia.

CRETE’S UNION WITH GREECE

PETITION TO THE POWERS

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 13, 11.38 p.m.)

ATHENS, Oct. 13. The Cretans at Athens and Piraeus have petitioned the Powers to sanction Crete’s union with Greece. THE 1879 CONVENTION. BARON AERENTHAL CRITICISED

United Press Association. Copyright - ‘ (Received Oct. 14, 12.38 a.m.)

LONDON, Oct, 13. The “Times” Paris correspondent shows that the convention of 1879 declared that the occupation of Bosnia nnd Herzegovina was not affected by Turkey’s sovereignty there. German newspapers scathingly cutieisc Baron Aerenthal. The “Times” Berlin correspondent aste whether Baron Aerenthal was selected as a scapegoat or a peaceoffering on the altar of-Turko-German friendshipTHE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE. AUSTRIA UNDECIDEDUnited Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 14, 12.38 a.m.)

CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct, 13. Ti is ‘ t'ltcd in Constantinople that Austria’s attitude regarding a European inference is still undecided, but the re Is tome reason to believe that die will eventually accept the Powers decision under certain reservations.