Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

PEACEFUL PROSPECTS.
GERMANY AND RUSSIA AT ONE.
PROTECTING TURKISH INTERESTS.
AUSTRIAN PRESS CONTRADICTED.
? LONDON, October 27.
The position of affairs in the Balkans and
the attitude which is. being assumed by the
signatory Powers to the Berlin, treaty both
point at the present juncture to peace
ful settlement of the pressing problems, and
the nations' barometer on Monday was set
fair. There is much more hope of the diffe
rent Governments accepting an harmonious
arrangement for the conference.
A semi-official' announcement has been
made in Berlin that Germany and Russia
are at one in recognising that the Euro
pean conference would be useful only if all
the signatories to the Berlin treaty pre
viously arrive at an agreement regarding the
scope and contents of the programme to be
discussed. The -statement added that Ger
many could not assent to any proposals to
which Austria-Hungary raised objections.
On the other hand the Kaiser's Govern
ment agreed to the other points in the
draft.
The scheme suggested to be referred to
the conference has been elaborated as the
result of M. Isvolsk/s negotiations in Lon
don and Paris, particularly so far as the
arrangements in the interests of Turkey are
concerned. ' I
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
(Sir Edward Grey) has authorized the pub
ication of the following statement: — 'The
reports in the Austrian press that the inter
ruption of the direct negotiations between
Turkey and Austria was due to Great: Bri
tain's advice and influence are totally de
void of foundation. Throughout the negotia
tions Great Britain's view was thata direct
arrangement between Turkey and Austria
if satisfactory to Turkey would smooth the
way to a general settlement, but it was for
Turkey to decide 'whether the proposals
made were acceptable, as she was the best
judge of her own interests.'
It is stated in Constantinople that Aus
tria is willing to accept the Porte's verbal
assurance that Turkey will recognise the
annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
will not raise a discussion on that point at
the conference. The Austrian, ambassador
will resume pourparlers with the Porte
atwr the feast of Bairam next Saturday.
$