THE BALKAN WAR.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 272, 21 October 1912, Page 5

THE BALKAN WAR.

THE SERB CROSS AND THE TURKISH CRESCENT. FIERCE FIGHTING ON THE FRONTIERS. LARGE FORCES ENGAGED ON BOTH SIDES. — BULGARIAN VICTORIES REPORTED. THE GREEK FLEET IN ACTION. BLOCKADE In THE ADRIATIC. BOMBARDMENT OF VARNA COMMENCED. [per press association ] Sofia, Oct. 19. King Ferdinand, in a manifesto to the nation, says that the wat was declared for the human rights of the Christians in Turkey. The Bulgarians were indebted for their peaceful life to the great Christian liberator. They often remembered the Czar Liberator’s prophetic words that the work he had begun must be completed. The manifesto adds that in the struggle of the Cross against the Crescent and liberty against tyranny, they were assured of the sympathies of all lovers of justice and progress. London, Oct. 19. Reuter’s Constantinople agency reported heavy fighting northward of Kirk Kilisseh. Large forces are engaged on both sides. A battle is in progress northward of Netuna in the Elassona district. The Bulgarians have occupied Kourtkale, or Kurt Kenikal, a strategically important position seven miles south-west of Mustapha Pacha, The Bulgarians have captured Mustapha Pacha. There are indications that the three main Bulgarian armies, each of three divisions, will be concentrated against Mustapha Pacha, from whence the Turks have retreated, leaving 20,000 men at Adrianople. The remainder are camped behind fieldworks stretching eastwards to Kirk Kilisseh. Besides the destruction of telegraphs, many miles of railway between Uskub and Salonika have been dynamited. The Bulgarians, 250,000 strong, are concentrated in the quadrilateral between Eskizag ora, Harmanli and Hafkovo. Received 21, 8.45 a.m.) Constantinople, Oct. 20. Official accounts of Bulgarian movements state that the Bulgarians on Friday attacked an inferior body of Turks at Kirkjaali, and after several hours fighting the Bulgarians were repulsed with serious loss. On Saturday the Turks counterattacked, and seized Harmantope mountain, which is an important stragetic position. Received 21, 9.45 a.m.) Sofiia, Oct. 20. The King, the Princess and suites, from motor cars on the hill, with field glasses watched the troops occupying the fortifications at Mustapha Pacha, one after another. The King, on meeting the first wounded soldiers, decorated them. He afterwards visited the headquarters of the first army at Tinovo and Seimonli, and returned to Varazagora. One hundred and seventy Turkish prisoners were made at Mustapha. The third Bulgarian army is advancing through the valley of Arda. The Bulgarians captured Mahoza with bayonets. Kourlkale is 2300 feet above sea level and commands the Maritza and Arda valleys. Received 21, 8. 45 a.m.) Athens, Oct. 20. Greece has announced a blockade in the Adriatic from Prevza to Corfu. (Received 21, 8.35 a.m.) Constantinople, Oct. 20. The Turks are blockading Varna, the Bulgarian seaport in the Black Sea. Admiral Burga’s fleet arrived at Varna at six in the morning and began bombarding at two o’clock in the afternoon. The fleet is searching for the Greek torpedoers, whereof two have refuged at Varna. •> Sofia, Oct. 20. A telegram says that three battleships harmlessly bombarded torpedoers in the roadstead at Varna at a ten miles range and then sailed.

BULGARS Pit AY FOR VICTORY

The Queen. Marie Louise of Bulgaria, and AL Gueshoff, the Prime { Minister, with the Cabinet, and Servian and Greek Cabinets, attended an impressive service at the Cathedral. Prayers were offered for the Czar and the sovereigns of Greece, Servia, and Montenegro, and con eluded by asking the God of Justice and Mercy to grant a victory to the united armies of the Christian Balkan Sacs. STRONG BRIGAND FORCE. (Received 21, 8.35 a.m.) The brigartd chief Sadansky’s recrluits are increasing daily in the Prin mountainous district, and 3000 peasants have already been armed with Manniicher rifles. SERVIAN ARMY CROSSES THE FRONTIER. (Received 21. 8.35 a.m.) Belgrade, Oct. 20. A hundred and twenty thousand Servians crossed the frontier, cold and rain rendering their operations very difficult. The Arnauts ambushed seventy Servians at Comitajis, killing them all. The Servians occupied several villages. The report of the capture of Prishtina is premature. The Servians merely captured a small town. The Turks retreated, destroying the railway. BATTLE ON GREEK FRONTIER. (Received 21. 8.35 a.m.) - Athens. Oct. 2<>. The Crown Prince, after four hours’ fighting, dislodged the Turks [at Elassona. The troops made a great dash. Two battalions and two batteries 1 occupied the heights of Grimbooa. {in Epirus. iREbERV ISTS FLOCKING HOME. Vancouver. Oct. 20. i Hundreds of Greek and MonteneIgnn reservists are leaving the {United States and Canada to paiti i cipace in the a ar. Large sum., have ibeen raised in aid of their natiie I count rim,.

NO FAITH IN TI’RKISH PROMISES.

{ Athens. Oct. 19. i AL Coromilas. Minister of Foreign > Affairs, informed the Chamber of Deputies that, the Porte b.ad striven b.v jail sorts of promises to detach j Greece from tlie allies. i The Minister of Marine stated > that the fleet teas eager to attack the ; Turkish fleet. { The patt-Hcllenie Inion has col I looted half a million drachmae to en ; aide transportation of 6(500 reservists from America who are too poor to ; return otherwise. Two thousand are ’paying their own faves. I Cairo, Oct. 20. | Ten thousand Greek reservists and i volunteers baie left Egy pt fin j Piraeus. i MONTENEGRIN VICTORIES. I two ARM ACTS AMBUSHED. ) i (Recoiled 21. 5.30 a.m.) { Pmioritza. Oct. 20. | Montenegrins captuied Palva after *two days' fighting. > (Received 21. 15 a.m.) Hassiin Bex, ami Mahmudgeoviv. {with two thousand Arnauts. marched from Pkiva lo reconquer Berane. Montenegrins ambushed them and iftcr a desperate fight the Arnauts ’ ere ent up, Hassini Bey ami 25(,.i non being taken prisoners to Podgo-itz.-i. Three of Genera! Mart movie’s nitposts were surprised and convey?d to Skuiari. where they were decapitated. CRETE'S STATUS. London. Oct. 19. Official circles absolutely deny Sii F. 1.. Cartwright’s remark, ami add that from Great Britain's standpoint any change in Crcte’s'sf al us must be a matter for the decision ot the sig mil tires of the Treaty of Berlin. SELF CONTROLLED MOSLEMS. London. Oct. 19. Tim r..m s’ " Constantinople cor respondent emphasises the admir able demeanour of the Moslems n | C<m st ant i imple towards tin- Bal. | kan Legations. Though the war 'will undoubtedly be mo*t ti-ro I clou,, mi Hie part of the army. tin i leader: » Fll do their bvit to prevent | itln ,iTi r-- I-xi ending t.i m>n c<>m j bat Hill s.