Cited:

“From the war scene: The Serbian government has rejected the extension of the armistice, for which the powers went to such lengths, and has restarted the fight. How long will the great powers tolerate the insolence and audacity of this petty tyrant? As the N. Fr. Pr writes, diplomacy is finally beginning to realize how right the Porte was when it made the granting of a longer armistice dependent on the cessation of Russian incursions into Serbia.

It is obvious that the already defeated principality, which itself sought peace mediation, would never have risen to such a troupe without Russian help. However, all regret does not undo past mistakes. Now the question is whether the peace process, initiated with such unspeakable effort, should simply be thwarted by Serbia.

Today or tomorrow, a declaration is likely to be made in Belgrade that the great powers will abandon Serbia to its fate if, instead of heeding their advice in recognition of their demonstrated goodwill, it continues to obstruct peace and endanger the future to conjure up a war.

However, Russia’s boastfully loyal and peace-loving policy will have to stand the test, for the St. Petersburg Cabinet will be asked to break Serbia’s support by completely ceasing all forms of assistance. In the diplomatic world, there are optimists who believe that if the aforementioned decisive warning in Belgrade proves insufficient, Russia will not wait for the request of the Great Powers but will halt the influx of troops on its own initiative.

For the time being, however, the surprised diplomats’ anguish and anxiety continue, and of their graphically beautiful notes and dispatches, only the inkblots will remain in the world’s memory.

Nish, September 27. Yesterday at 2 a.m., the Turkish camp troops, who were fast asleep, were suddenly alerted by intense small arms fire. The Serbian infantry, whose numbers were difficult to assess due to the night, were fording the Morava River near Dolni Lyubes, opened fire against Hafuz Pasha’s batteries.

At the same time, three Serbian batteries gradually advanced to the Morava River and, without causing any significant damage, showered the camp of Hafuz Basha’s division with projectiles. With astonishing speed and composure, the Turkish battalions regrouped and drove back the Serbs. The Turkish batteries, following orders, only fired when the Serbian infantry opened fire on them.

The gun battle ended at 3:30 a.m. after all campfires were extinguished on orders. The night was dark and rainy. This outrageous action by the Serbs, in view of the existing armistice, has caused justifiable indignation here and deserves the most careful consideration of the intervening powers.

As Serbian defectors, whose numbers are increasing considerably, report, the army fervently desires peace. The armistice has also been published; however, the Russian officers, who are mostly drunk, order the firing of weapons with revolvers in hand and are also said to have carried out the night attack on their own initiative.”

Source

Salzburger Volksblatt: die unabhängige Tageszeitung für Stadt und Land Salzburg. Band 6 (1876).