THE BALKANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15608, 11 November 1912, Page 5

THE BALKANS

STUBBORN FIGHTING

TURKS DEMORALISED

SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE

TURKISH OFFICERS DISLOYAL.

Pi«es Association—Bjr Tolepaph—Copyright,

BERLIN ,November 8. The Kolnische Zcitung 6tates that it is reported in Sofia that the Porte has proposed to Bulgaria to negotiate for peace without the Powers' mediation.

ANOTHER TURKISH REVERSE. VIGOROUS FIGHTING. VIENNA, November 8. Tho Reichpost reports that Nazim Pasha's army vigorously defended both sides of Chcrkesskeui, and counterattacked the first Bulgarian army's ccntrc at Uzuhandzi, 13 miles northward of Chorlu, but was outflanked and almost annihilated. Thereupon the whole Turkish front retreated. The third Bulgarian army advanced in several columns, ono traversing Iyistania and another Ormanli, westward of Derkos hut aJI converging. They captured Dclijunus. A portion of the first amiy was successful in advancing upon Nakashkeni and Akhunar, both to tho northward of Jludomkcui. The two southernmost columns arc operating against Buguckcheinjc. After the Turks wcro expelled from the heights near Chatalja, lighting began along the whole front-.

DEFENCE OF ADRIANOPLE. BULGARIANS LOSE HEAVILY. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 8. 'Hie Vali of Adrianople reports tliat on Wednesday he indicted severe losses on the besiegers to tho westward.

THE CHATAUA POSITIONS,

FALL REGARDED AS IMMINENT. SOFIA", November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The Bulgarians luive penetrate! the main lino near Hndemkeui. The f;ill of the whole of the Chatalja positions is imminent.

TURKS RETREATING. POSITIONS ABANDONED. BERLIN, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The Tagliche Rundehau's Constantinople correspondent reports that the Turks have abandoned the Chatalja line. ADVANCE ON CONSTANTINOPLE.

BULGARIA'S INTENTIONS. PROVING THE VICTORY. LONDON, November 9. (Reoeived Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Reuter states that the Bulgarians do not intend to remain in Constantinople, but it will be necessary to prove who is tho conquoror by the troojis entering the capital.

MOSLEM VILLAGES BURN I'D,

RUSH M-" FUfiITIYES.

COXBTANTIXOPLK, November 9. (Received i'iiv. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) According to Turkish reports the Bulgarians burned all the Moslem villages ill tlio Kirdjaali district. Fugitive troops are swarming in from Chatalja, and arc camping in the streets. A disease like cholera is affecting the wotmded. Ovor 20,000 families from Tliracc have arrived during the last few weeks.

ADRIANOPLE STII.L UNCONQUERED.

WARNING OK DISASTER IF THE CAPITAL IS TAKEN. SOFIA, November 9. (Iteceived Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Adrianople is still holding out. It is believed that the Iwmbardment lias been tomporarily suspended. In an interview Iviamil Pasha said that if King Ferdinand carried out his intention to penetrate Constantinople a grave catastrophe would result. The Mohammedans would resist to the utmost tlio attempt to effect an arrogant triumph in tlio very scat of the Caliphate. He warned tho Ambassadors when they asked for permission to bring a second warship. He told thorn Qiey oould bring a whole fleet, but even that would be insufficient to avert calamities to foreigners if King Ferdinand entered Constantinople.

BATTERED TURKISH ARMY. UNFORTUNATE FUGITIVES. LONDON", November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Donohue, cabling from Chataljn, says that the battered Turkish army retreated until it could retreat no further. Tho Government mustered what raw levios it could and sent them to hold the roads converging on San Stefano and Stainbotil. Happily for Aklullah's exhausted men the Bulgarians did not press in the pursuit from Chorlu with their early vigour. Tile road Ih>lwocii Chorlu and Chataljn is a quagmire, and many Turkish guns have been abandoned on it. Most of the fugitives are frost-bitten and starving. On tho last train from Chorlu the women and children were packed so closely that many of them were asphyxiated. The majority of the correspondents with the Turks lost their baggage in the stampede, and tliey Fullered great hardships.

A HOPELESS STRUGGLE

CHAOS IN TURKISH RANKS. SOLDIERS PLEASED TO BF CAPTURED. YIK N.N A, Xovomlier 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) M. Wnpncr, writing t» the Reichspost. favs that anyone seeim; the spectacle of the lvtroat of the Turks on November 5 ;ind 6 must be convinced of tho hopelessness of further resistance. 'Hie Turks abandoned their guns and overturned their ammunition waggons, while broken down oxen and horses were driven to death. Whole detachment* of apathetic Turkish troops were cowering, exhausted aud starving, on the roadside without arms. The soldiers were only too delighted to 1«' captured, since they would at least get something to eat. "This." says M. Waqnc.r, "is no army, but simply a pack of wretched human beings not even capable of defending their own skins." The Turkish officers who -were raptured at Lule Bursas described the Bulgarian fire as frightful. When the Bulgarian infantry advanced on their final attack a wild panic ran through the Turkish ranks, and everyone turned to floe.

The officers were powerless, and their orders were not obeyed. The shooting of individual fugitives inado no impression, and anyone who tried to ohcck the rout by placing himself before the panicstricken masses was knocked over and trampled down.

INFORJIAL POURPARLERS. VIENNA, November 8. Tho Reichspost states that informal pourparlers regarding the surrender of Constantinople have begun. There aro two cases of typhus fever in Adriauoplc.

AN INDISCREET CONSUL . VIENNA, November 9. (Rcceivod Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Tho newspaper Die Zeit reports that tho Austrian Consul at Prizrend incited the Albanians to oppose tho Servians, and ho is also accused of firing on tho Servians. He has been detained under a guard.

The report that pourparlers are in progress for tho surrender of Constantinople is incorrect. Tho statement should refer to Adriauoplc.

SERVIANS LOSE HEAVILY. BELGRADE, November 8. The Servian losses in the two days' battlo preceding the surrender of l'rilep wero heavier tlian those of the Turks.

CORRESPONDENTS' GRIEVANCE. UNRELIABLE NEWS. BERLIN, November 8. The newspaper correspondents complain that tho Servians will not permit them to go to the front, hence tJicir inability to deny the stories, which aro probably e.xaggeratwl, of tho wholesale' extermination of tho Arnauts.

SERVIA'S AMBITION,

ACCESS TO THE ADRIATIC. PARIS, November 8. Servia has informed tho Powers that sho intends to gain access to tho Adriatic.

DIPLOMACY AT WORK.

COMPLICATIONS AHEAD. ST. PETERSBURG, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Russian diplomacy is striving to ensure that Servia shall acquire Dur.izzo. Complications arc foreseen from Austria, where there is a determination to prevent Servia's access to the sea.

DEVELOPMENT HAMPERED.

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. LONDON, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The English newspapers point out that the lack of access to tho sea ia strangling Servia's economic development. It is impossible for her to import amis except through Austria and Turkey. The dilliculty of finding a solution is due to Austria and Italy considering the Adriatic their waters. ServiaV reaching the Adriatic necessitates annexing Albanian territory and thus violating the principle of nationality, sinco the Albanians and Serbs arc raciallv distinct.

POSITION IN SCUTARI DISTRICT. A FRUITLESS ATTACK. " CETTINJE, November 9. (Reoeived Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The Montenegrins south of Scutari repulsed the garrison's attack. They retired for a short distance in go<xl order, the retirement being due to floods nnd tho difliculty of provisioning the troops.

ADVANCE OF THE GREEKS,

SALONIKA OCCUPIED. ATHENS, November 8. The Greek army has occupied Salonika. GENERAL REJOICING. ATHKNS, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Thero is groat rejoicing over the fall of Salonika. Tlie streets were illuminated, and a special service was held in the cathedral. The King has gone to Salonika.

MURDER AND LOOTING. 27,000 TURKS PRISONERS. LONDON, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Tlio Chronicle's Constantinople correspondent says that shooting and looting were general beforo the Greeks entered Salonika, and many non-Moslems were mawacrcd. Twenty-seven thousand Turkish prisoners hnvo been taken.

TRANSPORT OF GREEK TROOPS. LONDON, May 9. (Rccoivod Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Tho Constantinople correspondent of tho Daily Chronicle says that tho Greeks arc transporting troops to the left bank of tho .Marital to enable au attack to be mado on the fortifications of tlio Dardanelles.

ATTACK ON MONASTIR. ATHENS, November 0. The Crown l'rinco lias detached a large force, to support the <livision entrenched at Banitza, in order to continue operations agaiust Monastir. GREEKS RETURNING HOME. LONDON, November 9. Five hundred Greeks havo arrived hero from Canada. Tliey arc proceeding to the front. HOLY WAR URGED. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Tho Sheikh Ul Islam has appoaJed to tho Ulemas and Hadjis to organise a jehad (a holy war), and thus strengthen the Ottoman soldiers. DISLOYAL OFFICERS.

FKEMNG AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

CONSTANTINOPLE, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.in.) Seven hundred and fifty Turkish officers havo refused to obey orders. Tho army authorities are arranging a meeting to discuss the question of taking action against the Government for plunging iui unprepared empire into war. The Government is trying to replace all tho military commanders at Chatalja on the ground that every one of them has proved incapable.

ALBANIA'S POSITION,

AUTONOMY IMPOSSIBLE. BELGRADE, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) In the course of an interview M. Pasic.h said it would be impossible, to concede autonomy to Albania owing to its various nationalities and religions. An independent Albania would be a fresh source of unrest in the Balkans.

MEETING OK BRITISH CABINET. POWERS DECIDE TO WAIT. LONDON, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) A hurried Cabinet Council was hold yesterday to discuss the Balkans situation. Router learns that all tlio Powers have agreed that tho least said the better abgut Austro-Servian difference while

angry and excited feelings prevail. They trust that time and reflection will enable the conclave of Powers to deal with tho difficult question. A suggestion has been mado to internationalize Salonika, whereby Servia will gain access to the sea.

ATTITUDE OF THE TRIPLE

ALLIANCE. BERLIN 1 , November 8,

A communique states that the Triple Alliance is unanimous in desiring not to interfere in regard to tlie developments in the East, as long as it is not requested to do bo by the parlies immediately concerned, and its own special direct interests are not affeotcd. It is in constant and cordial touch with the other Powers.

OFFER FOR DESTROYERS REFUSED. SANTIAGO DE CHILE, November 8. The Government has refused tho Turkish offer to purchase the destroyers that aro now building for Cliilo in England. PROTECTION OF AMERICANS. WASHINGTON, November 9. (Received Nov. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The crtHfiers Tennessee and Montana have been ordered to procoal to Turkish waters to protect Americans.

LESSON OF THE WAR.

WHAT BRITAIN .MAY LEARN. LONDON, November 9, (Received Nov, 10, at 5.5 p.m.) In tho course of ,1 speech at Liverpool Mr A. Bonar Law said the war carried a serious lesson for Britain. On onesido thern wcro courage and military efficiency and on tho other courage without etliciency, Britain as a nation had plenty of courage, but compared with the European I'oweis she lacked military efficiency. We relied on the navy, and tho question was: Was it adequate? Mr Churchill had realised the dangers, but was determined not to allow pressure by the Chancellor of tho Exchequer or tho Cabinet to make him accopt one iota less than lie deemed necossary. Tito war had brought an enormous unearned increment of power to Russia, which had regained with interest her loss in the Japanese war. The Balkan League was nothing less than a virtual expansion of Russia in Southern Europe, and in a little while sho would join hands with Japan. The Triple Entente would then vanish, and England would be faced with a grave danger in the East.

AN OUTSPOKEN BISHOP. SYDNEY, November 9. The Bishop of Bathurst, in deicndiug his expressed wish that tho Powers should not intervene in the Balkans from the charge that his utterance was unchrio-tian-like, justifies the Balkan Allies' efforts to free themselves from cruel oppression, and adds: " All honour tothem, and may nil good success he theirs.''

PREPARATIONS IN AUSTRIA,

PARIS, Noveinlier 10. (Received Nov. 11, at 0.15 a.m.) The Belgrade correspondent of the Temps states that Austria is sending 18 battalions to Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is understood that Russia asks lor an explanation, The Temps's Berlin correspondent states that Austria is concentrating her fleet in the Adriatic.

ASSAULTS ON ADRTANOPLE. VIENNA, November 10. (Received Nov. 11, at 0.15 a.m.) The Rcichspost reports that the Bulgarians have taken by assault two of Adrianoplc's principal forts—Kartal and Papaxtepo—and have brought, reinforcements, including artillery. Tlioy repelled (Winter attacks, and have commenced to fortify both forts, which dominate tho city and the outlying girdle of forts.

TRAINING IN POLAND. ST. PETERSBURG, November 10.

(Iteceivcd Nov. 11, at 0.15 a.m.)

All the time-expired soldiers in Warsaw will l>c trained with the colours until March. Tho olficers will bo granted no leave of absence, and mobilisation in tho Warsaw district is expected. ANXIOUS TIMES. SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH. LONDON, November 10. (Receive*! Nov. 11, at 0.15 a.m.) In responding to the toast of the .Ministry at the Ijord May*'s banquet, Mr Asquith said We are living in anxious times, and arc the spectators of great moving events. Hie Balkan annies are in effective possession of Macedonia, Thrace, and Salonika. The gateway through wluch Christianity first entere<l Etiropo is occupied by tho Greeks, and we may at any moment hoar of the fall of Constantinople. It is with satisfaction that I am able to assure you that Britain's relations with the other Powers, •without a single exception, were never more friendly or cordial. The great Powers arc in co-operation, closeness of touch, frankness, and freedom of communication and discussion are romarkablo and almost unintelligible to t.hofio who believe that becauso for certain purposes the Powers are ranged in different groups they must thercforo in tho time ot a European crisis be arrayed in opposite camps. Nothing is further from tho fact. Tho Powers have been blamed in somo quarters because they have not I keen successful in averting war, but forces aro at work that aro beyond the control of any diplomatic manipulation. Tho Balkan States, having matured their plans, perfected their equipment, and coordinated their reciprocal action, dceided that force was the only effectual remedy. They alone were prepared to liso it and they took tlio matter in tlieir own hands. Things can novor lie again as they wore (cheers), and it is the business of statesmen everywhere to accept an accomplished fact. Even the campaign of Austcrlitz had not produced changes so sudden and so stnrtlingly overwhelming and complete as had been wrought by tho Balkan Confederacy. Tho map of Eastern Europo would havo to bo recast. It may bo that ideas, preconceptions, and jmlicius bom in a bygono ein will havo to be modified, reconstructed, or oven go altogether by tho board."—(Cheers.) Upon uno Uiiug ho believed. Tho general opinion in Europe was unanimons that tho victors were not to bo robbed of frnitfl costing them so dear.—(Loud choers.) As far as ho was aware nowhere was there a disposition to beliltlo tlio magnitude of tho struggle or dispute the decisiveness of the result. Britain had no diroct interest in exact form which consequent political or territorial redistribution would ultimately take. Thero were other I'owcre whoso s|>cci,il relations, geographical, economic, othnicaj, or historic with the scene of conflict were such that they could not bo expected not to claim a hearing when the timo came for a permanent settlement. While belligerency continued tho Government would deprecate tho raising of isolated questions, which, it handled immediately, would bo calculated to lead to irreoop.cilablo divergencies, but which might assumo a moro practicable aspect if reserved and dealt with from tho wider standpoint of a general settlement. Enropo's first and greatest interest at present was to circtimscribo tbo scope of tie war, and tho great Powers liad successfully laboured to that end aa with cmo will. Ho hoped and befieued that they would oo oontiano*