iscovery of German science, reputed to be very nourishing for
debilitated organisms. But the price of a kilo (2 lb.) of wheat was 12
crowns (about 10s.). When the epidemic of typhus, which broke out in
Cetinje and in the Njegu[vs] clan, reached alarming proportions and
spread to other districts, the medical authorities advertised that
household effects and linen should be washed with water and potatoes. A
kilo of potatoes, in the autumn of 1917, cost a price equivalent to 6s.,
a quart of oil cost L2, 10s., a quart of milk 5s., a kilo of coffee L2,
18s. 4d., a yard of cloth L4, 4s. to L6, 6s., a pair of boots L8, 7s. An
average of 200 persons--mainly women and children--were dying every day
of starvation.

The Austrian army in retreat was incapable of action. It occupied a line
east of Podgorica: Bioce-Tuzi-Lake of Scutari, with very few guns. The
troops were scanty, they were weakened by malaria, etc.; but the
Italians pursued them with great caution. The chief enemies were
Albanians and Montenegrins. The wily Austrians gave rifles to the
Albanians in order that they should attack the Montenegrins, but they
were often used against their former owners. Then the contingents of the
Salonica army came across the mountains, and when the Austrians went
north, as best they could, the Yugoslavs of the Imperial and Royal
army--Bosniaks were well represented--pinned on their tunics the
national colours and were greeted by the inhabitants. Arriving at
Cetinje they heard the incredible news that a Yugoslav State had been
founded, that the Austrian navy had been handed over to the Yugoslavs,
that French and Italians were already at Kotor. During the journey to
that port the commanders were depressed, but the rank and file rejoiced
at the idea of going home. Discipline was at an end. Thousands of
rockets were fired into the air. It was the end of the Habsburg
monarchy.

NOW NIKITA IS DEPOSED

The next thing for the Montenegrins to do was to depose Nikita. By a
futile proclamation that personage had tried in October to resist the
union of the Yugoslavs; he had made a last desperate attempt to save his
crown. "I am ready to do," he said, "what my people desires." He
plaintively protested that all his life had been dedicated to their
service and now he wanted to go back to ascertain precisely what they
wished. "Montenegro," he had said, "belongs to a nation of heroes, who
fought with honour for the highest ideals." But when on Nove