New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-24
Austria Demands Suspension OF
Hosti|ities Around SCutarI,
Pending Total Withdrawal
of Civil Population.
SIMILAR ACTION BY ITALY
Little Power Replies She Can
not Allow Great Neighbor
to Exercise Sovereign
Rights in Territory
She Occupies.
IRy Cable 70 Tho Tribune !

London, March 24.-Austria yesterday
delivered at Cettinje a note TO the cf-
feet that if the civil population of Sou
tart were not allowed to leave the city
the Dual Monarchy would take coercive
measures TO obtain that result.
Italy has taken similar action in favor
Of the non combatants i'm Scutari, but
without expressing any threat, and
Russia. the friend Of Montenegro. has
advised the government at CettinJe TO
accede 10 Austria's demand.
Austria is sending a steamer TO Anti
vari, the nearest port 10 Scutari. evi-
IDENTIFY expecting that this, her second
request for the release of the civilians
will not bc refused. and has also made
clear what she requires in connection
with the other Incidents Of the dispute
between the two countries
News from Montencgrin hcadquar-
tors indicates that King Nicholas be
licvcs that the fall of Scutari Is i'm
minent He Is I'm command Of the com
bined Servian and Montenegrin army.
numbering $1,000. From tho same source
IT is reported that tho city has already
been partly destroyed. all the large
buildings having boon damaged. Fam
inc prevails. and il IS reported that
many Austrians and Italians have been
killed
In the mean time the representatives,
Of the powers 1T tho Balkan capitals
ere busy submitting 10 the governments
of the allies a note suggesting terms
as a basis for peace The note has not
vet been presented To- Turkey. as one
Of the ambassadors has failed To re
ceiya his instructions. The allies have
been consulted with regard 10 me note
but the public and press OF the Balkan
states do not receive the suggestions
with any great degree OF FAVOR
Cottinjc. March 23.-It is soml-of-
ncially announced that Austria pre-
scented an ultimatum 10 Montenegr"
to-day demanding "A suspension OF the
military operations around Scutari IN
~ the entire civil population have lett
tho town. In the event Of refusal AUS
tria will resort TO arms against Mon
tenegro.
In previous note. which was coucned
in threatening terms Austria also de-
manded that all Catholics and Mahom-
etans in Jakova and the surrounding
district. who have been converted SINCE
the Montenegrin occupation. he permit
ted 10 return 10 their former faith.
With a view 20 proving that the con-
versions I'm question were not attended
by any compulsion Montenegro replied
that she proposed TO appoint a com
mission on which. besides the Montone-
grin members. there should also be one
representative Of Austria and another
Of italy or some other great power.
Montenegro AZ the sanr time stated
that she could not allow the sovereign
RICH, Of Austria TO be exercised IN ,"r-
rltory occupied by Montenegro.
Austria refused 10 accept the answer
10 this note on the ground that its
wording was not sccnly. I'm govern
mcnt circles here the conviction is ex-
rrosscd that Austria refused not on ac-
count Of the form of the reply, but be-
cause OF it's contents.
The Official Journal publishes a
communication In which II Is stated
that the Catholics and Mahomctans ~
Ipek and Jakova expressed the wish 80
ioin the orthodox Church. but were
dissuaded by the Montencgrins. who
advised them 10 exercise patience. The
movement spread, however as the pco-
pie were unable To understand why
they should not return TO the old faith,
of which they had preserved the
usagcs. When they repeated the &C.
mand their wish was granted.
The priest Palic. the communication
explains. was arrested for melting the
Albanians against Montenegro. lie
was being taken 10 Ipek for trial, when
he attempted 10 escape and was shot
Vienna, March 23.-Austria is send
ing the Vicc-Consul at Prisrcnd ari
the Catholic Archbishop of uskup TO
.Jakova 10 investigate the killing Of
Palc.
A steamer Will leave Trieste at IN
early date with provisions and blankets
for the needy among the civil popula-
tion of Scutari