Russia Blames Nicholas.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 11, 1913:
Official Statement Says the King Broke His Word to the Czar.
    LONDON, Friday, April 11.— Hope for a peaceful Balkan settlement is increasing. The Belgrade correspondent of The Daily Telegraph asserts that Servia has decided, on Russia's account, to withdraw all the Servian troops now investing Scutari.
    The international blockade of the Montenegrin coast between Antivari and the Drin River began at 8 o'clock Thursday morning. All ships within the blockade had forty-eight hours in which to depart.
    The Russian Government issued a long official communication last night, explaining the efforts of the powers to arrange a settlement of the Balkan problem and justifying Russia's consent to the annexation of Scutari to Albania on the ground that this is necessary in order to preserve peace and because Scutari is purely an Albanian town, the annexation of which by Montenegro would only prove a source of embarrassment and difficulty, weakening instead of strengthening Montenegro.
    In the communication it is charged that King Nicholas broke the engagement into which he entered to secure Russia's consent before resorting to war, and this statement follows:
    "Nevertheless the Russian Emperor magnanimously assisted Montenegro to attain its legitimate aims, and warned King Nicholas that pursuance of personal aim's with respect to Scutari would only condemn his people to useless massacre. These warnings were ignored, apparently because King Nicholas believed that continued resistance would embroil Russia and the great powers in a European war, Russia therefore was compelled to act in concert with the powers in coercing Montenegro, but still hopes that the display of international naval power will induce Montenegro to bow to the will of Europe, in which case the powers will find means of alleviating the lot of the Montenegrin people, who are overwhelmed by the excessive sacrifices entailed by the siege of Scutari."
    The communication in conclusion reminds the Slav, peoples that Russia's sympathy with their aspirations and successes excludes any idea of hostility toward other nations, and implies consideration and deference toward Russia.