KING NICHOLAS AND THE AUSTRIAN TERMS.

CAUSE OF REJECTION.

FROM A. BEAUMONT. MILAN, FRIDAY. The resumption of hostilities by Montenegro against an overwhelmingly superior enemy causes general satisfaction in Italy, which was stung to the quick by the offered surrender. Now all the severe strictures are forgotten. Italy, the immediate neighbour of the heroic little Balkan State, naturally took a more vivid interest in her fate, and it is hoped now that something will be done to save the brave little army under the command of its indomitable leader, General Martinovitch, who proves the hero of the occasion. News of the suspension of the negotiations reached Rome from Paris and other quarters the night before last, but was not credited until more definite assurances were obtained. King Nicholas, meanwhile, wishing to give the Italian Government proof of special attention, sent his Prime Minister, M. Miuskovitch, across the Adriatic to convey in person the news of the rupture of the negotiations. M. Miuskovitch left Scutari for Durazzo, embarking on an Allied ship early in the morning, and reached Brindisi at noon yesterday, whence he immediately wired to Rome.

INSUFFICIENT TROOPS.

The last to hold out was General Martinovitch, who had been placed in command of the small group of forces that held the positions on the right and left of Mount Lovchen, whilst the mountain itself was defended by a small handful of 200 French soldiers. Since Serbia’s defeat, the councillors of King Nicholas who advised a surrender to Austria to avoid a similar fate for Montenegro had gained the upper hand, and persuaded the aged Monarch that acceptance of Austria’s terms was the only salvation. The King listened unwillingly, and as a last resort sent General Martinovitch to defend the approaches to the capital, promising that if the defence proved futile he would consent to open negotiations. The general, either through want of sincere collaboration or lack of support from others, was unable to muster more than 1,200 men, and these were obviously insufficient for the task. The evil advisers naturally triumphed, and had their way. King Nicholas gave his consent to the capitulation, and negotiations were begun. He relied on the inducements offered by his misguided advisers – namely, that Austria had promised to treat her little neighbour with the utmost generosity, even talking of Austria consenting to corrections of the frontier in favour of Montenegro in exchange for the possession of Mount Lovchen.

ARMY’S DECISION.

But when the actual terms of surrender began to be discussed King Nicholas was stunned by the harshness of the conditions and the exorbitant demands of Austria, which not only stipulated for unconditional surrender, but for a general disarmament of the country, complete abolition for the future of its little army, the annexation of certain frontier points, and an Austrian military occupation of the entire country. King Nicholas was to be eventually reduced to being the vassal of Austria-Hungary, and the independence of his country would have gone for ever. Meanwhile General Martinovitch was not idle. He had retreated towards Scutari with his heroic little band, and was the resolute opponent of capitulation from the very beginning. He doubtless made his voice strongly known. Other remnants of the heroic army were ready to join him, and King Nicholas found himself between two fires, one represented by his political advisers, and the other forming the party of resistance, supported by the military element. His soldierly character leant naturally towards the latter, and when the Austrian terms were submitted in all their asperity he flung them aside and once more took his stand with his soldiers, who had fought so well. General Martinovitch is now looked upon as the real leader and commander; his little group has been reinforced by contingents from the battalions of Cettinje, Zeta, Zehlin, Lijutotin, Kacji, and Bratoncsici. Montenegro has lost some advantages by consenting to a momentary armistice, but her heroic resolution compels Austria to keep part of her army unavailable for other battlefields.