New-York tribune., 1916-01-25
Serbs and MOntene-
grinS EvaCuate
Albanian City.
ITALIANS FACE
NEXT ADVANCE
TeutOn Forces Move on
AvIOna-Bulgars Men
ace DuraZZO.

London, Jan. "a Scutari has been
occupied by Austro- Hungarian troops.
according to an announcement issued
to-day by the Austro-Hungarian head
quarters Several thousand Serbians
who formed the garrison retired to-
wards the south without offering any
resistance.
The Havas correspondent at Salonica
also reports that the Italian expedi-
tionary force in Albania is soon to be
attacked. Bulgarans who, in coopera-
tion with Austrians. captured the
Albanian town Of Berat are reported TO
be advancing toward Avlona. which is
held By the Italians. Austrian troops
are said to be moving in the direction
Of Durazzo. where Essad Pacha, at tn,
head Of his Albania troops, is prepar
ing resistance.
The text Of the Austrian statement
follows:
"Scutari has been occupied by
Austro- Hungarian troops. Several
thousand Serbians who formed tn.
garrison retired towards the south
without resistance.
"Austro- -Eunga r.ans also have &C.
cupied Niksic, Oanilovgrad and
Podgoritza.
The disarming Of the country has
been carried on up TO the present with
out friction At several places the
Montenegrins have not even waited
until the Austro- -Hungarians appeared
but have laid down their arms before
the arrival of the troops in order to
return 70 their homes. At other places
a majority of those disarmed prefer in
ternment to being sent home.
The population generally has re-
cciyed our troops in a friendly manner
and in some instances with ceremony.
Riots such as occurred at Podgortza
ceased as soon as the first Austro-
hungarian detachment appeared
Situation still Obscure.
The Austrian occupation of Scutari
appears to confirm previous statements
that no negotiations are now proceed
ing between Austria and Montenegro,
as. according to the reports concerning
the original Austrian offers Of peace, 1t
was understood that the Montenegrins
were 10 hold Scutari as compensation
for Austria's occupation Of Mount
Loycen.
Telegrams from Vienna assert that
no negotiations are possible until the
Nontenegrins have surrendered their
arms. but the situation is so obscure
that Lord Robert Cecil. Parliamentary
Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
had 70 admit in the House OF Commons
to-day that the government had no
actual knowledge Of the present state
Of affairs.
The occupation Of Scutarl. according
TO Italian reports. followed desperate
battle that had been raging for the
last Two days. the Montenegrins making
.heir unal violent resistance on the
Tarabosch Mountains before Scutari
However. as they must have had but
IIttle artillery. most Of their guns ha'-
ing previously been captured by the
AustrIaus. they virtually mad no means
of making an effective resistance. Inc
Austrians in their invasion are now III
nossession of all the chief ports ana
towns of Montenegro, and, IN addition,
The most important trading town ol
Albania. ....,
During the Balkan war Scutari was
the object Of contention between Mon
tenegro and the great powers. Inc
Town was captured by Montenegro
forces on April %, 1913, after siege
lasting seven months.
scutari Long Contended For.
The powers previously had decided
,o include Scutarl IN the kingdom OIL
Albania. and King Nicnolas nad Deeh
offered compensation m money and ter
ritorv or. condition that he give up the
nlace. The Montenegrln hing Declined
,be oFers. however, and announced ne
would hold Scutari against the powers.
A. A result Of his decision the lnterna-
,ional naval blockade OF the Montene-
grin coast was extended.
Later the powers made another de
rand on the King. and the monarch