In the Balkans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 17, 1913

In spite of the protests of the powers and of the active blockade of the port of Montenegro by the war-ships of Austria, Germany, England, France, and Italy, active operations of the Montenegrins and Servians against Scutari continue unabated. The great powers are sensibly worried over their failure to bring about peace between the allies and Turkey, and seem at a complete loss to know how to proceed further in their efforts. While Russia has acquiesced in the blockade of Montenegro’s seaport, she has not participated in it, and the Austrians are now accusing the Russians of playing a double game. The king of Montenegro has given over the direction of the forces of Montenegro and Servia to a Servian general, and the Servians have been strongly reenforced before Scutari. In a combined attack against the chief fortress of that city, Great Tarabosch, the besiegers lost heavily, but it is reported that the fortifications were captured. The Turks report successful engagements with the Bulgarians near the Tchataldja fortifications. An engagement is also reported to have taken place between a Servian army and a detachment of the Turks numbering several thousand, whose whereabouts had been a mystery for some time. The Turks were defeated with considerable loss, and their hospitals and wounded were left in the hands of the Servians. It is reported that practically the whole of the Adrianople army has left the vicinity of that city, and will join the forces now lying in front of the Tchataldja

lines. While the Turks have accepted the peace plans of the greater powers, the allies are holding aloof and continuing their operations. The fear is expressed that if coercive measures are adopted by the greater powers, there are liable to be clashes of interests which would embroil all Europe. The British prime minister has announced that by reaching an agreement to restrict Montenegro’s activities and maintain the independence of Albania, the powers have averted a war among themselves which otherwise would doubtless have occurred. But the seriousness of the situation is still recognized. The German chancellor, in submitting the government bills in the Reichstag on April 7, gave expression to the imminent danger existing, and did not hide his fears of a clash between Germany on the one side and France and Russia on the other.