FIGHTING IN ALBANIA

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 31

FIGHTING IN ALBANIA

CONSTANTINOPLE, April 25. The Turkish troops routed the Albanians at Stimlia. April 26. Three thousand Albanians seized the Katschalinsk Pass, and held up a train on the Uskub-Ferisovich railway, capturing the supplies and disarming some soldiers. The train was then allowed to proceed to Prishtino, with the warning that no military convoys hereafter will be permitted. Thirty-four thousand Albanians have now risen. The Albanians have been expelled from the Tzerlolieva Pass, and 200 have been killed. Advices from Salonika state that 1000 were killed at Stimilia. April 27. The Albanians twice repulsed the Turks at Katschalinsk Pass. Anxiety is felt in this city because the Railway line has been cut. April 28. One Albanian force, operating eastward ofthe railway, is holding the Shevki Pass, near Prishtina. A second, consisting of the Ghilan and Preshova insurgents, holds the Katschalinsk Pass, and is threatening iShevket Pasha's communications ; while a third, composed of Lyuna-Prizrend Albanians, has reoccupied the Tzernloie Pass, and holds the Prizrend-Ferisvitch road. The insurgents refrain from molesting the Christian villagese. The Turks are concentrating in overwhelming numbers towards Katschalinsk. The electors at Prizrend-Ipek threaten to shoot the deputies of the returned constituencies, accusing them of co-operating with the Committee of Union and Progress—i.e., supporting an anti-Albanian policy. April 29. After the expiry of the 24 hours' respite which has baen given, the 6000 Albanians at the Katschalinsk defile will be enveloped by the Turkish troops. The pass is described as another Thermopylae. The Albanians permit the train service to continue on condition that they search every train. May 1. The Albanians have obstinately resisted the advance of the Turkish troops since Friday evening. It is, however, officially stated that the Katschalinsk defile is now clear- and that the railway is not damaged. Further considerable reinforcements have been despatched to overawe the Albanians, and an effort will be made to reach a definite settlement. May 2. Shevket Pasha, Commander-in-Chief in Albania, led the attack in person with 3000 men and three batteries, sending 4000 men on a flanking movement. He surprised and surrounded 4000 Albanians in the Katschalinsk Pas 3. After a desper-

ate resistance, the Albanians finally cut their way through the Turks and dispersed in all directions, leaving many dead, -wounded, and prisoners. The Turks had only 142 killed or wounded, because the principal part of the action fell to the artillery.