The New York herald., 1879-07-14
THE SERVIAN BOUNDARY.
DEMAND MADE FOR THREE MILLION FRANCS
COMPENSATION ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALBANIAN
RAIDS.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD.1

COMPENSATION ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALBANIAN
RAIDS.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD.1
BELGRADE, July 13, 1879.
The Servian government has advanced
claim for 3,OOO,OOOf. 100000 against the
Porte on account of raids by Albanians into
Servian territory. If the Porte repudiates the
claim rs is probable, it is thought that Servia
will refuse to bear the proportion OF the Turkish
debt allotted her by the Treaty of Berlin in
consideration of her increase of territory.
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE sERvIANs AND
THE ALBANIANs ON ACCOUNT OF WHICH THE
CLAIM IS MADE.
The raids account of which Servia has made
the above claim took place in April last. During
Easter the Albanians frequently disturbed the
whole southwest frontier of Servia. On the 10th Of
April, together with the Turks they attacked the
Servian frontier guards near Prepolitza and forced
them to retreat. They occupied the town and then
marched toward Kurchuml. which they also took
The inhabitants fled on their approach, but many
were killed. Four brigades of Servians were sent
thither to drive them out. but the Albanians had
fortified themselves with earthworks. According to
version in the Wiener TdgJlah from Pera the con-
aict originated between the Mohammedan population
Mohammedans. in consequence of the severity Of the
Servan authorities and OF the Bulgarians. had left
their homes and went to camp along the frontier.
They then wished to return, but opposed by
the Servian frontier guards. After short and al
most bloodless scuffe. they forced their way
two points-PrepoIitza and Manriki. Neither
Turkish soldiers nor Arnauts OF the district of
Novi-Bazar took any part in this affair, which
was entirely between the Servians and
their subjects. This is the Turkish
version Of the affair. The government of Prince
Milan then addressed circular note to all the Great
Powers the subject Of the 'raids. robberies and
atrocities committed by the Abanians Servian
territory and Servan subjects" In this document
M. Ristics, the Servian Minister. stated, among
other things. that the Albanians had poured petro-
leum Of their prisoners, and then set fire
to him. His charred romans found
subsequently by the Servians. NJ. Ristics
declared it hopeless to expect that this border
will not continue to break out from time to time
while the Servian frontier remains 1t left by
the International Commission last year, and he
therefore solicited all the Powers who parties to
the Berlin Treaty to consent to adequate revision
of the frontier line. This the Powers refused do.
On the 23d of May Prince Dondoukof Korsakoif. the
Russian Commander in Bulgaria. sent energetic
note to servia. summonng her to evacuate the
disputed districts. On the 18th of June Servia
yielded the disputed ground to Bulgaria in conse-
quence of the Russian pressure. Soon afterward
the Russo-Bulgarian authorities. with body
of Russian troops. took forciblo possession
of the disputed districts. driving out the
Servian officials There attempt
made by the Russian and Servian commissioners to
arrange boundary, but the attempt eliminated in
Russia driving the Servian officials the line
According to the wording of the treaty of Berlin
garians. though the treaty of San Stefano appor-
toned il to Servia Servia wishes revision Of the
new frontier at vranja NJ Ristics, in his last note
to the Powers. does not demand any increase of
territory. but only defensbe frontier, the
present line he affords protection against
the incursions and raids of the Albanians and CIR
cassians from the Turkish side OF the frontier.