SERVIAN ADVANCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 7

SERVIAN ADVANCE

GREAT BATTLE RAGING BULGARIANS’ HEROIC RESISTANCE. By Telccrapt—Press Association —Copyright (Received July 15, 11.30 p.m.) VIENNA, vlnly 15. The Servians are advancing towards Sofia. A great battle is raging outside Kusteydil, and the Bulgarians are offering an heroic resistance. There has been terrible slaughter on both sides. MORE MASSACRES REPORTED. THOUSANDS OF STARVING FUGITIVES.

(Received July 15, U. 30 p.m.) SOFIA, July 15. A semi-official report states that Greek irregulars landed at Leftera and occupied the town of Pravil, massacring nearly tho whole of the Bulgarian and Mussulman population. Those escaping arrived in Drama. Fifteen thousand fugitives reached Gornadjumaya and fifty thousand are en route. They are without food. It is authoritatively stated that Bulgaria has recalled her armies from Servian territory, thus emphasising her sincerity in giving Russia full powers. CONSTANTINOPLE, July 15. Turkey does not advance beyond the Enos-Midia line.

Retreating Bulgarians burned all the villages they traversed.

ALLEGED ATROCITIES. QUESTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON, July 14. In the House of Commons, Mr F. D. Acland, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Foreign Office, said the Government was unable to investigate the alleged atrocities by Bulgarians. He added that the Government had not received Bulgaria’s offer of an international inquiry. DENIAL FROM KING FERDINAND. LONDON, July 14. King Ferdinand has cabled to the “ Evening News ’’ absolutely denying the stories of outrages on Greeks and Servians. The stbnes, he says, have been circulated to create a bad impression. The population of Thrace has enjoyed, without respect to nationality, complete liberty. He admits that there have been a number of isolated espionage and anti-Bulgarian propogandist arrests, but, on the other hand, he declares the Bulgarians have been subjected to systematic persecution at the hands of the Greeks. The Balonica prisons are full of innocent persons, many of whom were transported to the iEgean Islands before the outbreak of hostilities. The Servians are alleged to have been guilty of similar cruelties-

QREECB THREATENS REPRISALS. NOTIFICATION TO THE POWERS. LONDON, July 14. The Greek Government has notified the Powers that the Bulgarians carried off twenty-seven notables of Kavala, and that their fate is unknown. The notables include the bishop, the dragomans (interpreters) of the French and Greek Consulates, the manager of the Bank of Athens, and eighteen merchants. If they are killed Greece will make reprisals. BURNING AND PILLAGE. SALONICA, July 14. A Greek war correspondent says the Bulgarians burnt and pillaged Seres, including American, Austrian, and German warehouses. The American Tobacco Company lost a million dollars (£200,000). The Bulgarians also plundered the Austrian Consulate, and imprisoned the Consul, who was subsequently ransomed. The Italian Consul ransomed his house.

A REPORT CONTRADICTED. GREEK AND SERVIAN SUCCESSES DISCREDITED. SOFIA, July 14. The story of the attempt on the life of Dr Daneff, President of the Sobranjo, is untrue. The authorities continue to discredit the reports of the Greek and Servian successes.

The newspaper “ Mir ” publishes an order captured from the Servians, signed “ Peter,” and dated June 29th, instructing the Servian troops to carry the flag through the Bulgarian ranks. The order alludes to Greek and Montenegrin co-operation.