Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-12-21
Six Great European Coun-
tries Guarantee in Their
Agreement That Servia
Have Access to Adriatic.
LORD MAYOR HOST
AT PEACE LUNCHEON
Emissaries to Conference
From Turkey, Greece and
Bulgaria Respond to the,
Welcome.

81 sqs
London, Dec. 2O.-The six great
European powers, England, France,
Germany, Russia, Austria and Italy,
have accepted the principle OF an au-
tonomous Albania with the privilege
guaranteeing to Servia commercial
access to the Adriatic. This Is the
first definite result Of the ambassa-
dors Conversations the third which
was held this afternoon.
Representatives of Turkey and the
Balkan allies we're the guests of hon.
or at a luncheon given by the lord
mayor of London at the Mansion
house today The distinguished gath
.ering included Premier Asquith, For
.eign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, Lord
President of the Council Viscount
Morley and other prominent person
ages.
The lord mayor extended hearty
welcome to the peace plenipotentiar-
les, speaking of the enduring satisfac-
ton which would be felt If they should
achieve happy issue and lasting
peace.
Rechad Pasha for Turkey, Premier
Venizilos for Greece, and DR.. Danerf
for Bulgaria replied. The latter, re-
sferring to.-tha greatness lot london,
said 80 s.', jg''
ats prosperity is intimately linked
with the cause for which we are now
laboring and 1t cannot fail to fortify
our determination to succeed in our
mission"
Premier Asquith said he was not
ashamed to declare himself optimistic
of the negotiations arriving at an
equitable and enduring peace and that
the peace of London would be regard.
ed by history as the proudest leaf In
London's crown of laurel.
/. Forward instructions to Delegates.
Constantinople, Dec. 20.-The in
structions forwarded by the Ottoman
government to Rechad Pasha, leader
of the Turkish peace delegation In
London, authorize him to treat with
the Greek delegates without their pre-
vious signature of the armistice pro-
tocol.
The Turkish delegation is ordered
to apply during the progress OF the
meeting for permission for the rev1c-
tualing of the fortress of Adrianople.
In official circles it Is explained that
the change of the Turkish attitude to-
ward Greece is the result of the fact
that the situation in regard to Greece
has now turned 30 much to the advan-
tage Of Turkey that the Turkish gov
ernment would demand exceptional
conditions before signing an armi-
stice with Greece.
The Turkish flagship Kheyrh-Ed-
Din Barbarossa, which according to
reports from Athens, was practically
destroyed by Greek shells during the
recent sea fight off the Dardanelles
straits, was presented today by the
sultan with the historic flag flown by
the battleship Mahmudieh at the bonn
bardment of Sebastopol in 1854.
The captain of the flagship was pre-
scented to the sultan, who congratu-
lated him and the rest Of the Turkish
navy on the outcome of the action.
It appears that the Turkish flag
ship was struck by two Greek shells,
but the damage done to the vessel
was Insignificant One man on board
was killed and eight others wounded.
During the so-called battle the
commanders of the Turkish and
Greek fleets exchanged pleasantries
by wireless telegraphy. The Greek
admiral telegraphed:
1--WE have occupied the island OF
Tenedos and await your orders, to
which the Turkish admiral replied :8
your shells are falling wide.
would recommend you take better
aim"
Turk Wont Surrender Fort.
Paris, Dec 20.-The Turkish pleni.
potentiaries to the peace conference
have been instructed to break of
negotiations If Bulgaria insists on the
surrender of Adrianople, according to
the Temps correspondent at Con
stantinople who says he has his infor.
nation from an official source.
Having renewed confidence in her
military strength Turkey, the cores
pondent says, is ready to admit Greece
to the peace conference without her
Joining In the armistice. II Greece
should now ask for an armist1ce, he
concluded Turkey would refuse.
Austria Preparing.
Cettinje, Montenegro, Dec. 20
Austro-Hungarian military prepare.
tions continue without cessation
Large numbers of troops arrive daily
in Dalmatia. Numerous steamships
have been converted into transports
and extensive fortifications are under