New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-24
Observation-Disclosures
Occupied by Aus
trian Troops.
KING SOUGHT
PEACE AS RUSE
Wanted ArmiStiCe SO That
Montenegrins Could Re-
treat, Says Premier.

London, Jan. 23-The Austrians, in
their resumed Montenegrin offensive,
have occupied the Adrlatlc seaports of
Antivari and Dalcigno, according TO a
Vienna announcement, issued to-day.
With the seizure Of Dulcigno. the
port of Scutari, the remnants OF the
Montenegrin and Serbian armies are
practically sealed in the interior Of
Albania, shut Oft from the food and
munitions which they have drawn from
the Allies by way Of the coast.
Durazzo and Avlona are the only
Albanian ports remaining open, and
Austrian detachments already are re-
ported within fifty miles of the former.
Vienna also reports that the Mon
tenegrins continue to lay down their
arms, and that, in addition, 1900 Ser
bians have surrendered In the last few
days. although semi-official commu-
ncation says that considerable part
of the Montenegrin army has declined
to surrender and that fierce fighting
has been resumed in the mountain dis
tricts.
Teutons Admit Wars Resumption.
A semi-cfficial communication issued
at Budapest, Hungary, as forwarded
from Zurich, contains the first admis-
sion received here from Teutonic
sources that fighting has been resumed
in Montcsegro. According 10 this re-
port considerable portion OF the
Montenegrin army refused to surren-
der, and fierce fighting has again com
menced.
a Vienna dispatch says: at may be
declared authent.cally that the King Of
Montenegro has not withdrawn his un-
conditional surrender; but even should
he do so. it would not change the con-
dition OF affairs. because the Mon
tenegrin army is no longer capable Of
resistance, nine-tenths of its artillery
being in the hands of the Austrian
troops, and the importation OF NUM-
tions and foodstufs being impossible,
as the Austrians have already occupied
Antiyari."
According to the Cologne "Volks
IeItung," the Austro-Hungarian gov
ernment, i'm view OF the MontenegrIns'
delay in laying down their arms, has
decided TO set a period during which
all weapons must be surrendered or the
necessities Of war viii compel the
Austro- Hungarian army TO resume
operations. The period granted can
hardly exceed thirty-six hours. The
obstacle hitherto has been that the abb
sence Of real Montenegrin authorita-
tive government has left no one with
whom the Austro-Hungarians can ne
gotiate.
Peace Talk Ruse.
Premier Miouchkovitch, OF Monte
negro. who declared on his arrival at
Brindis that King Nicholas had pre-
pared documents justifying the conduct
of himself and his ministers in regard
10 peace negotiations with Austria, is
quoted in Il dispatch from Brindsi TO
the Stefani Agency at Rome as saying
that Montenegro arranged a truce with
Austria as ruse TO enable her 10
;ain time. Such step was necessary
after the capture Of Mount Loveen by
the Austrians, the Premier is reported
TO have said, and 1t gave the Monte
negrins a weeks time TO prepare the
retreat into Albania in the effort TO
effect a junction with the Serbians and
defend Scutari.
Many more refugees from Monte
negro and Albania, including sixty
Serbian Deputies have reached Bari.
Prindsi and Rome. One OF these ar
rivals il Emile Vita, head of the
French Orphans Association, who went
10 Albania 10 rescue Serbian children.
VI. Vita sailed from Bari on a vessel
which was only 200 yards from the
steamsh p Brindls when she was blown
up and sunk. lie said the Brindisi had
OF board 100000 francs in gold. IN
addition 10 large quantities OF food and
ammunition.
This ship was almost the last hope
OF the Montenegrins,' VI. Vita con-
tinued. III she had landed her sup
plies the Montenegrins would have
been able 70 hold out more effective
""
The Havas correspondent at Rom,
says the Montenegro Consul General
there has received dispatch from Pre-
m!er Miouchkoyitch of Montenegro,
sent from Brlndisi. in which the Pre-
nier explains the exchange Of commu-
rications between the Austrian ana
Nontenegrin military authorities after
4. fall of Mount Lovcen and Cettinic .
Sought to Gain Time.
According TO this information. the /
steps taken for an armistice were
merely TO gain time, so as to assure I.
the safe retreat of the Montenegrlns
toward Podgoritza and Scutari and 20 /
prevent interference with the Serbian I
troops which were on the way 10 Ales- /
so and Durazzo. Albania.
4 Havas dispatch from Lyons gives
an account Of statement. made on be- /
half of Queen Milena OF Montenegro .
by General Govosdenostkes. The gen |
eral said the ship which took the |
Queen, Princesses Zenie and Vera and .
the Nontenegrin officials from Scutari /
70 Brindisi was pursued all the way 4
across the Adriatic by submarines and /
seaplanes.
The general conirmN the reports I
that King Nicholas had entered upon /
peace negotiations with the Austrians. /
He made the same explanation of the /
negotiations as that credited 20 Pre- |