WAR NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14523, 27 November 1912, Page 9

WAR NOTES.

'HIE SERVIAN SPIRIT. A special correspondent of tho "Morning Post," writing from Servia, on tho ovo of tho war, said: — In Belgrado thero was no trace of unrest. Deathlike stillness hung over tho city. Tho malo population had disappeared, and tho ominous loneliness of tho streets recalled tho ghastly pauses of tho Turks' bombardments whilo they still held tho citadel. But with daybroak tho world was astir. Soout boys, proud and important, hurried with messages to and fro. A group of soldiers gathered round a sergeant, gaily expostulating becauso ho mado them stand whilo ho gave them a "lesson in liberty." Standing in their midst ho intoned tho National Hymn, and at tho end of the first verso lifted his cap, when out flew a sparrow, soaring into space to the sound of cheers nnd laughter. "Hurrah 1 Good birdl Uskubl Uskubl" shouted tho soldiers, nnd set off at a swinging trot behind tho humorous sergeant. Tho 18th Regiment of Infantry loft for its unknown destination amid a sceno of enthusiasm. j Young girls throw flowere to the men, shook hands with them indiscriminately, and called out loving messages to | relatives and friends. No tear was shed, for Servian superstition attributes ill-luck to woman's tears before a wedding or a battle. Everywhere thero is a spirit of fellowship, of mutual But bccksliders aro severely dealt with. A rich merchant, I am informed, thought to evado tho sacrifice of his motor-car —all automobiles havo been requisitioned for Army service—and when tho responsible sergeant camo to take it away, showed tho mechanism all in pieces. Tho sergeant surveyed tho chaos and drew his revolver. "If it is not put together and handed over to mc within one hour you and your chauffeur aro dead men," was his ultimatum. In less ' than an hour ho was driving in it to hendquartors. Another "comfortable citizen," bound to provide two horses for traction, kept his own team and presented very inferior nags- He was summarily rolieved of £180 to purchase animals more in keeping Avith his financial status.

Before making hia formal entry into tho conquerod town of Bcranc. cays "Lloyd's Weekly News" General Vukotico, with his staff, visited tho Servian monastery of Giourgievi Utoubovi, which is in the closo vicinity of Berane, In this establishment, whose history goes back to tho days of tho Old Servian Empire, the Montenegrins held a solemn religious servico in, celebration of their victory. Prayers were offered for tho King and for tho continued success of. tho Montenegrin arms. Toucliing scenes wero witnessed when the troops inarched into tho town. Tho wholo population wero in the streets to welcome their mountainkinsmon. Old men wept for joy at what they regarded as tho final release of tho Servians from tho subjection of centuries.

A St. Petersburg correspondent who was present at tho light! nj* nt Vranjo aud tho surrender of Tuzi, in describing tho surrender, relates tho following incidont :—

"The chivalrous conduct of the victors recalls tho Crusades, Princo Danilo of Montenegro, surrounded by his suite, accepted tlie surrendor of tho Turkish commander threo kilometres outsido Tuai. Seven Turkish battalions, besides Baski Ba_ouks, laid down their arms.

As the Turks advanced, tho Montenegrins played tho Turkish Anthem. Tho Turkish commander dismounted fifty paces from tho Crown Prince, and advanced on foot. Tho Montenegrin Anthem was played before he handed his sword to the Crown Prince, who returned it, saying: "Receive it back; you have borno it with honour; I congratulate you on tho bravery of your men,"

MUKHTAR PASHA

. Mukhtar Pasha, who held a high command in the Turkish Army, and was recently wounded and captured by th;j Bulgarians, is an old soldier, who lias had a stirring career. As a young man (says a writer in tho "Daily Mai-") Mukhtar, einoa called "the Victorious," from his gallant defence of Eraeroiun in the TurcoRussinu War, wag Vizier to Sultan Abdul Hamid, over whom ho acquired a strong influence. That influence was always exerted for the gocd of tho country, for Mukhtar was of tho superior race of genuine Turks, a man of high honour and integrity, in whom patriotism and devotion to duty burned like a steady flame, but his ttiimse-s did not suit the views of somo of tho Sultan's Armenian advisers, and they plotted to get rid of an inconveniently honest man. Abdul Hamid, half an Armenian himself, was intensely superstitions, and it did not prove difficult to narsuade him that Mukhtar, unassailable as to rectitude and ability, was a dangerous person to be near the Presence, becauso he possessed—''tlie Evil Eye!" Tlie resu'.t was banishment for the unfortunate Minister —a splendid banishment, it is true, sine. Mukhtar was appointed to tlie highest post of honour in Egypt, representing the suzerainty of the Sultan at a salary of something liko fifteen hundred pounds a month.

fourteen years ago married a near relation of the present Khedive. Both ho and his father are cxamoes of the modern Turkish high-class l\irk, who m his domestic arrangement-- is as moderate as any English bishop—tho irreproachable husband of one* wife. The old system, as it tised to bo practised by tho richer Turks, seems altogether to bo dying out among them, and though the term "harem" continues to be used for the apartments given up to the use of tho women of tho household it has no connection with the significance attached to it in the Western mind.

The title of "Gha_i," or "the Victorious," which wa_ conferred on Mukhtar after Erzoroum, and during the same war on Osmnn Pn*rn. tho defender of Plevna, has recently been given to the Commander of Adrianople.