Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-13
ITALY TO ENTER
BALKAN BATTLE;
KING Is AT HELM
Troops May Be Dispatched
to Save Montenegro With
in 4S Hours
TEUTON MENACE GRAVE

ROME, Jan. 49,
italian troops may be ordered to pro-
ceed to the relief of the hard d-pressed
Montenegrins within IS hours. King Vic
tor Emmanuel today summoned military
chiefs and members of the Cabinet into
conference on the Montenegrin situation.
lie Kings hurried return from the
italian front after an eight months alb
sence from Rome was caused by alarming
reports OF the progress OF the Austrian
invasion, II was learned today. Upon
reaching Rome, the King Mt once sent for
Baron Sonnino. the Foreign Minister,
with whom he was in conference until Il
late hour last night.
The Montenegrin Crown Prince Danilo
and the Grown Princess Jutta reached
home from Cettinje n few hours before
the King arrived from the front. They
visited Baron Sonnlno and later were re-
ceived In audience by King Victor En-
manuel. to whom they presented a per-
sonal appeal for help from the aged
Montenegro King Nicholas
1t was rumored today that Queen
Elena, n daughter of the Montcnegfin
ruler and an ardent sympathizer with her
people, Is playing a leading role I'm the
conferences that may cause startling
change In affairs in the Balkans.
Queen Helena, 1t was reported in official
circles. sent the telegram that brought
King Victor Emmanuel rushing back
from the front She dispatched IL when
news reached Rome that Mount Lovcan.
dominating Cettinjc, was about to fall.
and the the MonteneErin capital itself
could not hold out Ions against the in
vaders.
Montenegro Is to be evacuated by Serb
ian troops. 1t was officially announced to-
day at the Serbian Legation.
The Serbian soldiers who retreated into
Montenegro when Serbia was overrun by
to be Gent to the Greek Island of Corfu,
where n new army will be organized and
equipped.
The new military expedition which Italy.
according to dispatches from Rome. Is
about to send to the Balkans to help the
Montenegrins, cannot In any way accom-
plsh the task of conuuerng again the po-
sition of Mount Lovcen even success
fully defending the Montencgrin capital.
Cettnic is about to fall. The city is. n
fact, dominated by the Austrian guns on
Mount Lovcen. just as Cattaro is. and no
army would dare the risk to enter the
high Cettinje basin as long as the Aus
trians keep the Lovccn.
The only task which would be left to
an Italian force sent to help the Monte
negrins would be the defense of Scutari.
the principal city of Albania, which for
some time has been occupied by the
MonteneSrins. The defense of the town
could easily be accomplished and with
success from the height OF Tarabosch
southwest of Scutari But will the Ital-
ians reach San Giovanni di NIeCua and
Scutarl In time to occupy Tarabosch be-
fore the Austrians reach II? This is the
question which concerns officials.
The fall of Mount Lovcen into the hands
of the Austrians is blow to the Italians.
but more to their prestige than to the
military aims of General Cadorna, at least
4. H. n
Italy had repeatedly frustrated all at
tenpts by the Austrians TO get possession
of the Lovcen. a possession which would
render impregnable and formidable the
Austrian southern naval base of Cattaro.
But Cattaro can be effectively block