THE BALKANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15823, 23 July 1913, Page 5

THE BALKANS

SERVIANS STILL ADVANCING.

. SOME SHARP ENGAGEMENTS. Pieu Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. BELGRADE, July 21. There have been several sharp encounters at various points, but no serious engagements. The Servians penetrated Bulgarian territory at Tchipven, and the Bulgarians aro retreating towards Widin. The Servians have now crossed the frontier at four jx>int6.

THE ROUMANIANS' ADVANCE.

OUTRAGES BY BASHI-BAZOUKS.

SOFIA, July 21. Thirty thousand Roumanian troops have •reached Orkanije and Etroplje,

The Bashi-Bazouks devastated the country during their march on Adrianople, where they are now committing atrocities and pillaging and burning the city. NOTE FROM TURKEY. WAB FORESHADOWED. CONSTANTINOPLE, July 21. . The Porte in a Note to the Powers supplies reasons for occupying Thrace, including Adrianople. It further announces that in future the Turco-Bulgarian frontier will be the river Maritza. The Government would have preferred to have settled the frontier question diplomatically, but the Bulgarian atrocities and barbarism in the occupied territories made it impossible to hope for diplomatic solution. The Note is regarded as foreshadowing a declaration of war, which is generally considered necessary -in order to restore Turkey's liberty of action in yiew of the Treaty of London. One hundred and fifty thousand Turkish troops are/now marching on Adrianople.

AUSTRIANS TO RETURN HOME,

CALL TO THE COLOURS.

BERNE, July 21. All Austrian subjects resident in Switzerland and officers on furlough have teen ordered to rejoin their regiments forthwith. DISHEARTENING SITUATION. SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH. HOPE FOR SPEEDY SETTLEMENT. LONDON, July 22.' (Received July 22, at 9.20 p.m.) Speaking at the Centenary banquet at Birmingham Mr Asquith said the spectacle with which they were confronted in the near East was disheartening and even repellant. The Allies were drenching the conquered territories with one another's Mood. Turkey, with the ink on the treaty of London, not yet dry, was advancing beyond the agreed line and: endeavouring to recover her lost territory. Not unnaturally the nations of Europe were profoundly moved, and demanded oi those with whom, as a last resource, Tested the power and responsibility that they should terminate this sombre chapter in European history. Britain had laboured incessantly to preserve united action by the Powers. If Turkey wa6 iiladvised enough to defy the treaty she must be prepared for the bringing up of questions which were not to heir interest. He believed that a speedy settlement was in sight.

ADVANCE- OF THE ALLIES.

SOFIA SURROUNDED,

CHARGES AGAINST GREEKS. LONDON, July 22. (Received July 22, at 11.15 p.m.) ■ The opinion in most European circles is that Turkey will have to retire behind the Enos-Midia line. The feeling in Vienna about a possible entry into Sofia is somewhat allayed by Roumania's intimation that she will not advance further before Bulgaria is given an opportunity to accept her opponents' terms. The Greek main army contnues to advance. Its centre lies in front of the Kresna Pass, while the Servians are in touch with the Roumanians' right wing, cutting off Widin, where there are three Bulgarian brigades. Sofia is practically surrounded by half-a-million opponents. It is reported that Greece waives her claims, to Kavala and, Drama, contenting herself with Salonika and the hinterland. This decision is calculated to facilitate peace negotiations. ' i Bulgaria has earnestly solicited the reopening of the Varna-Sofia railway, which is the main avenue for food supplies for the army and the capital. The Bulgarian Legation in London alleges that the Greeks from Demirhissar besides burning . Bulgarian villages massacred 200 sick and wounded Bulgarian soldiers at Seres, sabred all the fleeing inhabitants from Kilkish, and murdered a number of Bulgarian officers.

DESIRE FOR PEACE. BUCHAREST, July 22. (Received July 22, at 11.15 p.m.) The King and the Premier have received telegrams from King Ferdinand and M, Ghenadieff respectively suing for peace. TURKS AT ADRIANOPLE, ATTACK BY BULGARIANS. SOFIA, July 22. (Received July 22, at 11.15 p.m.) The Bulgarian ganrison attacked Enver Bey's cavalry division before Adrianople. A TOWN OCCUPIED. CONSTANTINOPLE, July 22. (Received July 22, at 11.15 p.m.) The Turks have occupied Bobacski, and the main body is expected to enter Adrianople shortly.