THE BALKANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15603, 5 November 1912, Page 5

THE BALKANS

DETAILS OF RECENT FIGHTING. TURKS COMPLETELY ROUTED. DEADLY FIRE BY BULGARIANS. TERRIBLE SCENES. ENORMOUS LOSS OF LIFE, TURKEY ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.

POWERS ASKED TO MEDIATE

Press Association—By Tolefraph—Copyright. VIENNA, November 3. The Reichpost emphasises the heroic assaults on the Turkish centre at KavakleTi! during the second day of tho Bimarhissar battle. Tho men were undismayed and unshaken by the appalling Turkish fire.

Tho Bulgarians caplurod the heights at the fourth charge.

STAND BY TURKISH REMNANT.

SIEGE AT ADRIANOPLE. SOFIA, November 3. A remnant of the Turks is making a stand between Serai and Chorlu. The bombardment of Adrianople is proceeding. FALL OF THE TOWN EXPECTED. VIENNA, November 3. The Reichpost announces that the fall of Adrianoplo is oxpectod next week. Its capitulation might be hastened, but King Ferdinand has discountenanced a Tiithless bombardment. CAPTURES AT LULE BURGAS. MASSACRES BY TURKS. SOFIA, November 3. During the battle of Lule Burgas tho Bulgarians captured £0 guns and 160 ammunition waggons. Tho Turks, during the retreat from liabu Kski, massacred 200 persons of all ages ami both sexes at Alavali, gouging their eyes out and splitting their heads open.

A DESPERATE BATTLE. TURKS BREAK THROUGH CORDON. SOFIA, November 3. It is reported that tho Bulgarians surrounded Shevket Pasha's division on tho heights cast of Serij. A desperate light followed, but finally the Turks broke through the Bulgarian lines and fled to Chatalja.

PANIC AT KIRK KDLISSB. GERMAN OFFICER'S VIEW. A TRAGIC MISTAKE, CONSTANTINOPLE, November 3. A German oflicer who was with tho Turks at Kirk Kilissc asserts that the Moslems had half won the battle, when for sonic unknown cause they began to retire, Tho failure began witli a weak Rexlif regiment ot Asiatics, whose panic was communicated to the rest, culminating in a pell-mell flight. Thero is, he says, absolutely no truth in the reports that .Mukhtar Pasha is a coward and was clumsy in his tactics. He is one of tho bravest and best soldiers tho Turks ]x>ssoss. The report that he has been recalled and disgraced is untrue. The same officer describes the incident of the Turks firing on each other. Ho says: — "Despite tho darkness, we poured lead into the enemy, whose flashes were occasionally visible when the rain held off. The firing continued nearly all night, and (hough wc were losing pretty heavily, we continued advancing. Finally wc were withdrawn, and fell lo the ground for a vest, having won our battle, but were staggered to find that the dead were not Bulgarians, but Ottomans. " Then tho conviction dawned on us that we had been fighting our own men. " The Bulgars evidently soon discovered that something had upset our formation, for shortly after daylight tlicy attacked us at our weakest jmiii:, where the halftrained Redifs were. Theso broke and ran."

DEMAND FOR AUTONOMY. PARIS, November 3. The Temps publishes an interview with the Bulgarian Charge d'Aflaires. "Popular sentiment," sa.id tho Minister, "will not allow the Allies to restore the freed people to Turkish rule. Europe must not repeat the proceedings of the Berlin Congross, and again adjourn the final liquidation of tho subject.''

ARNAUT CHIEF SURRENDERS. BELGRADE, November 3. Bolctinatz, the famous Arnaut chief, with 15,003 followers, surrendered to tlio Servians at Mitrovitza. .MONTENEGRINS REPULSED. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 3. 'Die Turks assert that the Montenegrins worn repulsed at, Scutari, with 2000 casualties. AN ALL-DAY FIGHT. TOWN CAPTURED BY GREEKS. ATHENS, November 3. After fighting all day on Friday the. CI reeks capture*! Ycnidje, 14 miles from Salonica. SURRENDER OF PREVEZA. ATHENS, November 5. Proven, a Turkish fortified town in Epirus, has capitulated. GREEKS DEFEATED. CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO FORCES. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 3. Turkish reports announce a Greek defeat near Yodena. They allege that the Greeks were caught between the Salonica Turks and a Monastir force. TURKS ROUTED RY GREEKS. TWELVE HUNDRED MEN LOST. -ATHENS. November 3. The Fifth Division, when marching on

Monastir, camped near Nalbankoi, and repulsed a Turoo-Albanian night attack. Subsequently the Greeks attacked and routed the Turks at dawn. The Turks lost 200 cavalry and 10C0 infantry. Seven guns were captured.

PRINCE TO BE COURT-MARTIALLED. NEWSPAPERS' COMPLAINT. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 3. Prince Aziz will shortly be courtmartiallcd. The newspapers bitterly contrast Europe's changing views in regard to the status" quo since the news of the Allies' success.

Twelve thousand wounded men from tho Thracian battlefield have arrived hero. CAUSE OF THE TURKS' FAILURE. BERLIN, November 3. All efforts have failed to extract from General Von dcr Roll/, the reason for tho failure of his Turkish pupils. Herman experts say that the fault does not lie in the tactical lessons the Turk received, but in tho wretched individual work of tho otlicers.

THE ROUMANIAN ARMY. BUCHAREST, November 3. The Cabinet has approved 'of large credits for the various armv services.

ACTION BY THE POWERS. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 3.

The Powers have requested tho Porte to permit a warship of each nation to pass the Dardanelles.

MEDIATION DESIRED. TURKEY APPEALS TO THE POWERS. LONDON, November 4. The Porte lias applied to the Powers for mediation to secure peace. PARIS, November 3. The Premier (M, Pnincare) has submitted to the Great Powers the form which intervention should take. It, is understood that it meets with general approval, although Austria desires to negotiate separately with Serria. ' AUSTRIA'S POLICY. BUDAPEST, November 3. The Pester Lloyd, commenting on the Balkan situation, says Austria is fully determined to adhere to her policy of territorial abstinence. RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE. ST. PETERSBURG, November 5. The Foreign Mmister (M. SazonolT) has authorised the statement that he has noted Austria-Hungary's declaration that she is confining lierself to economic interests, and that he believes these could i>c satisfied without prejudico to the Slav States. WARSHIPS FOR THE LEVANT. LONDON, November 3. The third battle fleet, on its arrival at Gibraltar, was ordered to proceed immediately to the Levant. THE HAGUE,'November 3.' The cruiser Gcldcrland has been ordered to Smyrna. RED CROSS ACTIVITY. CAIRO, November 3. The Egyptian Rod Cross Society is sending a mission to the Balkans.

IRREVOCABLE DISASTER,

GREATEST DEBACLE SINCE SEDAN

SANGUINARY CONFLICT. TURKS OVERWHELMED. LONDON, November 4. (Received Nov. 4, at 9.40 p.m.) Mr Donohuo, tho correspondent of tho Daily Chronicle, who was with the Turks nt Cliorlu arid one of two English correspondents who were caught in the stampede from Lille Burgas, says that an irrevocable disaster has befallen the Turks, followed by confusion and rout that have been unparalleled since Moscow, It is the most complete military disaster sinco 'Mukden, and the greatest debacle since Sedan. Forty thousand Turks have fallen, while Abdullah narrowly escaped tho fate of 75 per cent, of his artillery, who are captives. The men melted like snow before the summer sun, and the disintegration soon rbecame general, the demoralisation being complete. By handfuls the army found their way Lack to Cliorlu. The Bulgarian artillery, which was cruelly harassing, mowed down thousands of men, and tho ,terrible scenes burned themselves in the memory. Throughout the terrible fighting the superiority of Vhc Bulgarian artillery was pronounced. The Turks were unable' to withstand the murderous lire, and they, withdrew slowly. Their gunners were dead and the majority of their horses were killed. The civilians had previously fled, and therefore the non-combatants' loss was insignificant. The Bulgarians launched infantry attacks and stormed the town at the bayonet's point. The greater part of the Turkish army withdrew, but the rearguard were caught like rats in a trap, (Received Nov. 4, at 10.20 p.m.) Mr Donoliue also states that the fourth army corps, though without food for two days, stubbornly resisted and died to a man. At the railway station, four miles from Lulo Burgas, the Bulgarians were checked for a couple, of hours. Here tho Turkish cavalry was concentrated under Salih Pasha and Feud Pasha. As the Bulgarians approached they were exposed to an unexpected raking firo from batteries posted on the hills round the station. Tho shrapnel tore their ranks.

Then Salih Pasha's cavalry, flashing from their concealment, swept like a tornado upon the exposed infantry. The Bulgarians turned, ami the cavalry rode them down, causing an extraordinary havoc. Elatedly the Turks pursued, hut suddenly the Bulgarian machine guns opened fire, tumbling the Turks and horses in a mingled mass. Few who entered the charge returned. .Meanwhile the Bulgarians' heavy artillery caused the Turkish garrison to retreat, but few of the men reached the hills. The Turkish artillery was then concentrated on the town of Lulc Burgas, and the houses were destroyed. Many Bulgarians were kiiled in the ruins. The Bulgarians then got their artillery into position, and a duel commenced. The Turkish positions were badly chosen, lacking cover, while there were no trenches for supporting the infantry. Received Nov. 4, at 11.5 p.m.) Continuing his narrative, Mr Donohuc says: — The Turks lost heavily, but their severe bombardment caused the Jliilgarians temporarily to evacuate Lulc Burgas. Towards evening the Bulgarians' advance became more rapid, and the infantry pushed forward with incredible speed. The artillery took up their positions as coolly as in peace manoeuvres, and knew the range to a jiicety, while their marksmanship was superb and murderous. The Turks were poorly supplied with ammunition, most of which had been expended in the morning's fight. Many of the gunners stood to the guns, but were unable to reply, and awaited death, which came swiftly. While the Turkish front was harassed by a terrible fire as time progressed, it became simply carnage, men falling in hundreds. The appalling shell fire destroyed their morale.

Night fell on foodless and sleepless mon, for the Bulgarians seemed to bo endowed with relentless energy. The dead cumbered the ground, ai)d tho doctors were few, while of ambulances there was none. The greater portion of tho wounded perished during the bitter, cold night. Tho retreat for perhaps an hour was orderly, but the pressure of tho rear reduced the vanguard to a rout. Two hours after sunrise the Bulgarians learned what had happened to Abdullah's army, and they started in pursuit. They occupied Sakzjoz, not a shot being fired in defence. 'Die Turks' only ray of hopo lay in Mukhtar Pasha's effort to relieve the pressure by turning the Bulgarians' left. Abdullah was unable to accede to the second army corps's appeal for help at BuiiarhissaT, where the ammunition was exhausted, nor could the centre company at his request hold their ground. At 3 o'clock on Thursday «■ general sauvo qui pent occurred, and everything was abandoned in a stampedo across the Thracin veldt. Seventy-live per cent, of the wounded were injured by shrapnel. Out of two battalions which arrived at Lule Burgas on tho day of the battle only six men were, alive at sundown. The second corps caught six Bulgarian spies,'who were court-martialled and shot.

"FLASHES OF LIGHTNING." AUSTRIA'S FOREIGN POLICY. (From Onn Own Corresfoxdext.\ LONDON, Sbptcmbor 27. Great uneasiness exists over the unsettled stalo of tho Ualleiiis. Dillicutt conditions prevail, and irresponsible elements either m tho Balkan States or in Turkey, may ut any moment provoke a conflict tho resuit of wnich no ono can foresee.

Austria-Ilunjittry litis declared her foreign |K>licy, and iiuitlier the aged Emperor nor Jiis Minister, Count Berclitold, said allything to reinovo the feeling of uneasiness. Th« Emperor opened tho Delegations in person at, Vienna. His Majesty looked tho pkturo of health, and his voieo was strong and clear. He mentioned with satisfaction tho incrcaso of the peace footing of tho army and navy, and laid stress on tho necessity for developing the navy with a view to tho protection ot the economic interests of the Monarchy.

Count licrchtold said: "Wo cannot hido from ourselves the danger which the troublo between the Turks and the Albanians, who feci Lhiit their traditional liberties aro being restricted, may entail lor tho "foreign ami domestic peace of Turkey. The new Turkish Government displayed a .spirit of concilia, lion towards tho Albanians, but, as tlhu Tiirco-.Monbsnogrin frontier disputes, tho Ktcliuna ufTu.il', and the Graeeo-Albanian encounters in Kpirus, at the same tiir.o gave rise to con<litions which threatened to hamper, if not render impossible, the work of conciliation, we made to all tho Powers proposals for an exchange of views on tho subject of tho Balkans. In doing so our chief intention was, by unanimous co-opera-tion on the part of the 'Powers on tho basis of tho maintenance of pence and tho status quo in tho Balkans, to givo tho Porte lime and, if necessary, friendly advies for the realisation of tin; policy inaugurated by it, and the establishment of ordered conditions in its European possessions." "To our great satisfaction," continued tho Count, "all the Cabinets agreed to tho proposals by which contact was made between tho Powers, and a vjiluablo pledgo was secured for the preventing in every possible way of a violent solution of tho crisis. The Russian Cabinet especially is, like ourselves, most earnest in its endeavours to ensure tho maintenance, of peace. It would, however, be a serious mistake if we were thercforo to regard the dangers of the present situation in tho Balkans as averted. Tho littlo satisfactory conditions in European Turkey have not been without serious offeots in neighbouring countries, and have placed upon tho shoulders of tho statesmen of those countries a heavy task. We will hopo that the statesmanlike insight and the oonscienco of weighty responsibility will restrain theso leading persons from following the impulses of tho irresponsible elements. Hut wo also trust that Turkey will not fail to rccogniso tho gravity of the situation, and will find a way lo avoid complications. Our information justified the assumption that Ihopresent Government is diligently endeavouring to provide the necessary guarantees for tho reasonable requirements of the nationalities. The cultivation of friendly relations with the Ottoman Empire is a tradition of Alls-tro-llungarian foreign policy. Our interests aro not Iwund up with those of any party, but lie in Uie maintenance of the territorial integrity of Turkey and her internal consolidation. Wo regard it as the duty of Turkish statesmen to reconcile the legitimate claims of tho different peoples of Macedonia with the exigencies of the Ottoman State. Honest endeavours to bring about a solution of this problem will always find our moral support. In pursuing this polioy wo fell ourselves strengthened by the conviction that it coincides with tho opinion of our allies." Tho Minister concluded:—" It will be scon from wlwt I have said that, notwithstanding the unanimity of the Cabinets of tho Great Powers in their efforts to maintain peace, a by no means reassuring display of sheet lightning in the Balkans gives proof of tho existence of a high degree of electrical fusion in tho political atmosphere without throwing any light into tho darkness of unsolved problems. Diplomacy is keeping guard to prevent threatened conflicts and to stifle a possible Balkan conflagration at tho outset. Geographical position places us near the area of disturbance. Thn great interest* of the Monarchy are at stake, and only when wo aro armed by land and sea can wo look to tho future with easy minds."