Powers At Odds Over Albania.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 16, 1913:
Ambassadors Unable to Close the Serious Breach Between Russia and Austria.
MONTENEGRO ADDS FUEL
"Scutari or Death," Is Her Cry, and Vienna Is Determined She Shall Not Have Scutari.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    LONDON, Feb. 15.— The belief is generally held in the diplomatic circles of Europe that the Czar of Russia, a weak man susceptible to any influence of the moment, has been the chief cause of the disquiet regarding the international situation which has prevailed in Europe. The week is ending, however, with greatly increased confidence in an early and satisfactory settlement of the differences over the Balkan problem, which still divide Europe.
    Prince Hohenlohe's return to Vienna from St. Petersburg, where he had gone with an autograph letter from Emperor Francis Joseph to Czar Nicholas, marked the beginning of apprehensions, which were none the less serious because they received little expression in the press, which was occupied with other topics.
    Francis Joseph's letter was an olive branch, and when it came out that the Czar had sent a sympathetic message to a Pan-Slavist banquet, which he had forbidden the previous week, it was believed that Nicholas had rejected the aged Emperor's token of peace.
    It was not until Thursday that these apprehensions were relieved by an announcement by the official Vienna Fremdenblatt that Hohenlohe's mission was successful and that a real entente in Austro-Russian relations had begun. The basis of that understanding is "The Balkans for the Balkan people." This was the plan suggested by Francis Joseph's letter.
    This result shows the complete downfall of the war party in Austria who only a few months ago wanted Austrian troops to occupy the Sanjak of Novibazar.
    Emperor William's influence prevented such a move, which would most probably have precipitated a conflict with Russia, and now Francis Joseph's personal appeal to the Czar has apparently completed the work of insuring peace.
    Although demobilization has not actually been begun by either Austria or Russia, the points of difference, between the two countries are narrowed down and there are now good hopes of an early settlement of both the Austro-Russian difficulties and the actual hostilities in the Balkans.