Austria Joins In Peace Move.

New York Times 100 years ago today, December 22, 1912:
Premier Poincaré Announces Albania Will Be Independent.
    PARIS, Dec. 21.— A semi-official statement issued to-night says:
    "The improvement in the international situation has become more marked, and there is now complete agreement among the powers in favor of moderation.
    "Austria, which heretofore has maintained an attitude of reserve, has decided to come into line with the other powers and urge prudence and moderation on Turkey. The cause of peace has made great strides in the last forty-eight hours."
    In a speech in the Chamber of Deputies to-day Premier Poincaré was very optimistic about the European situation.
    He announced that Albania would be autonomous, independent, and neutral under the control of the powers, and stated that Servia would accept the suggestion, made by the Ambassadors of the powers, that she should obtain a commercial outlet on the Adriatic Sea.
    He also gave voice to the hope that peace in the Balkans would soon be signed, and added that if unhappily the negotiations between the delegates to the peace conference should be broken off the European powers would quickly resort to mediation.
    Premier Poincaré explained that Servia's port would be free and neutral. It would be connected with Servia by an international railroad under the control of the powers and Servia would have liberty to transport all merchandise, including munitions of war. He continued:
    "The European powers wish to assure to Servia certain indispensable guarantees so that she may live and breathe.
    Premier Poincaré expressed the opinion that the agreement over the Adriatic outlet for Servia 'eliminates one of the principal causes of European discord."
    Reviewing the negotiations between the powers concerning the Balkan war, M. Poincaré referred to the intimate working relations between England Russia, and France. There was, he said, no ground for the fears on the part of some Frenchmen that England pursued an isolated policy which did not conform with the policy of France.
    Speaking in the Senate, the Premier said:
    "When peace is signed it will rest solid bases, permitting the Balkan States to develop themselves. Turkey will retain a considerable empire, and she will act wisely in listening to the wishes of the populations still subject to her.
    "We are resolved to maintain the integrity of the Ottoman Empire in Asia, but without allowing our interests to suffer."