THE BALKANS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10494, 4 November 1912, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

BATT E OF LULE BURGAS. United Press Association —By Elestric Telegraph—Copyright. Loudon, November 3, Four hundred thousand , men participated’ in the battle of Lule Burgas, which began on Tuesday and continued obstinately with wavering success thereafter till the Turks yielded all along the line. Sheuker Torgut attempted a diversion on Thursday. He landed 30,000 troops at Media, and advanced towards Bisa, where Kutch Tineff routed him. The Times’ Sofia correspondent states that the Turks on Thursday made a desperate effort to retrieve the situation. They rallied between Chorlu and Isradja, being reinforced •by a division from Constantinople, but the Bulgarians were completely victorious and captured Chorlu, Istrandja, and Rosabots.

THE FINAL STRUGGLE. A BITTER BATTLE. Vienna, Novembers, The Reichpost, describing the final struggle, says the decisive stage opened on Tuesday, Monday s bloody initial engagements having ended favourably for the Bulgarians’ right wing at Lule Burgas. The Bulgarians’ left wing, advancing vigorously near Bunar Hissar,' passed from the defensive to the offensive. The Turks here had attempted to forestall the advance, which was threatening their ■ line of retreat from Serai to Tchataldja, by taking the offensive from Serai via Visa, against the Bulgarians. When on Tuesday a counter offensive movement began from a line running from the township of Usknb (nine miles eastward of Kirk Killise) to Hajaefaki and Monatirdagh the foremost Turkish lines were shaken by a startling attack executed with unprecedented dash, but fresh reserves enabled the Turks to .temporarily reform. A bitter battle raged the whole day at Woodee and Thatalea, the Turks eventually emerging in formless masses. Simultaneously the Bulgarian right wing attacked the Turks’ position at Lule Burgas from Babeski to Yenikieni, driving, the Turks from fortified lines, on to the Ergene river back upon ' Lule Burgas. Most of the positions were stormed with the bayonet. The infantry was admirably supported by the artillery, keeping the Turks down for decisive moments by an overwhelming fire, but some of the positions were taken without artillery support. The dash of the Bulgarian infantry was unexampled, and translated the battle cry “Nanost” (meaning “to the knife”) into a reality. Without any concession to modern tactical considerations, whole regiments, four hundred paces from the enemy’s line, threw themselves with a single rush on the foe without firing a shot or taking cover. Each individual went for a Turk with a bayonet. The officers were powerless against the frenzy of the troops, and were obliged ,to adopt tactics of frenzy. , The Reichpost says that only the fraction of Nazim’s army got behind Chataldza.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Sofiaj November 3. Christians in the forefront of the Turkish lines in the battles endeavoured to attract the. notice of their co-religionists opposite by making the sign of the Cross.

THE TURKISH ARMY. London, November 3. The Oiironicle’s Constantinople correspondent says thousands went to the front unarmed and without uniforms, while the commissariat failed. Reports of reverses have embittered the Moslems, who had been buoyed up by false statements of successes. There is anxiety as to whether the city is on tho eve of terrible_deeds. • . • Five "thousand wounded arrived at Stamboul on Thursday. Seven thousand more are coming. Correspondents' are practically prisoners at Abdullah’s headquarters. Newspapers consider that the publication of Nazim’s despatches was a mere attempt to keep the Stamboul populace quiet.

THE PANIC AT KIRK KILISSE. Constantinople, November 3. Details of the panic at Kirk Kilisse show that Hilmi, Bey, commanding 20,000 men, advanced, and encountered three divisions, which--iio attacked simultaneously, sending a flanking column against each wing. The fight with the central body continued from noon until night, but the. . flanking columns Tailed to-come in contact with the enemy. During- the engagement the division had, without informing Hilin advanced and stationed itself behind Hilmi’s two detached columns. The latter placing, themselves between the Bulgarian and Turkish fire led to a panic. A Turkish officer subsequently remarked; “We have been starving for a week. I am scarcely able to obtain a small roll. A number of horses are dying each day. It is impossible for soldiers worn out and starving to fiabt ’ ’ "Upwards of 10,000 ragged and starving Kirk Kilisse refugees, including many women and children, are camping in courtyards and Stamboul mosques. Sofia, November 3.

The inhabitants of Kirk Kilisse were unware of the Turkish disaster until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when a cry “The Bulgarians are coming,” arose. In a twinxliug pandemonium was let loose. The population flocked to the railway station. Soldiers stormed trains and compelled the drivers, at the point of "the revolver, to steam out. Others trudged afoot towards Lirle Burgas.

VILLAGES ON FIRE. All villages between Adrianople and Lule Burgas are burning, the Moslems firing their own villages before quitting.

POKTE HIDES FACTS.. Constantinople, November 3, The Porte, with a view to preserving order and preventing outbreaks, strenuously keeps the public ignor--ant of events at the front, and also sends a division to stop all fugitives and soldiers between Ohataldja and Stamboul. . .jg HORRIBLE MASSACRES. Athens, November 3. Turks, fleeing on the evening of the 33nd from Sarantaporos, traversed Metaxa. They seized fiftytwo inhabitants, and conveyed them to Servidji. They were cast into prison, where there were 73 other Greeks. The Governor liberated 135 soldiers,i armed them and surrounded a crowd, of whom 131 Were, massacred, including five priests. The noses and hands were then cut off. .Christian villager brought to Janiani was murdered in the market place in the presence of tlie authorities. ' Sofia November 2. The Mir states that the Turks, before evacuating Bunar Hissar, imprisoned and incinerated 200 Bui garians in barracks. They massacred Bulgarians wholesale at Struma Valley.

AT ADRIANOPLE,

The -Bulgarians invited civilians to quit Adriauople. The commandant replied that he was willing if the garrison was likewise given free passage. The Bulgarians refused this. ALBANIANS AT SKUTARI. - Hassedi, himself an Albanian, telegraphed to Salonika asking for Turkish troops, adding that it was impossible to hold Skutari -.with Albanians alone/* PARLIAMENTARY MEETIN GS. Belgrade, November 2. The Parliaments of the Balkan States will hold a joint Parliamentary session, lasting three days, at Usknb, immediately after the close of military operations London, November 1. A full Cabinet meeting is being held to-night. The King is being constantly informed of the developments in Turkey.

PROPOSALFOR MEDIATION. Vieena, November 1. A proposal from M. Poincaire regarding* mediation has been received. SCATTERED WITH DEAD. Sofia, November 3. The roads towards Chataldja are scattered with dead and dying, weapons and clothing. GERMAN OFFICER’S STORY. Received November .4, 9 a.m. Constantinople, November 3. A German officer with the Turks at Kirk Kilisse asserts chat the Moslems had half won the battle when for some unknown cause they began to retire.. The failure began with a weak relief regiment of Asiatics whose panic was communicated to the rest, culminating in a pell-mell flight. There is absolutely no truth in the reports that Mukhtar is a coward or is clumsy. He is one of the bravest and best soldiers the Turks, possess. Reportsthat he has been recalled and disgraced are untrue.

FIRING ON THEMSELVES. An officer describes the incident in which tho Turks fired at one another. Despite “the darkness we poured lead into the enemy, whose flashes occassionally were visible when the rain held ‘off. Firing continued nearly all night. We were losing pretty heavily, but advancing finally with the dawn fell on the ground to rest, having won the battle, but were staggered to find not dead-Bul-gariaus but dead Ottomans. The conviction dawned on us that we had been fighting our own men. The Bulgarians evidently soon discovered something had upset our formation and soon after daylight they attacked our weakest point of half-trained Redifs, and these broke and ran.

THE STATUS QUO. ! Constantinople, November 3. Turkish newspapers bitterly .contrast Europe’s changing views with regard to the “status quo since the Allies’-success, THE FALL OF ADRIANOPLE Vienna, November 8. The Reichspost says the fall of Adrianople is expeeted next week. Capitulation might be hastened, but King Ferdinand discountenances ruthless bombardment.* •MARCHING ON MONA STIR. Athens, November 3, The fifth division marching on Mouastir, camped near Malbankei, were repulsed by Turoo-Albaniaus in a nigbt attack, and in turn attacked and routed the Turks at 'dawn. The latter had 1000 infantry and SCO cavalry killed and lost seven guns.

A DESPERATE FIGHT. / ' Sofia, November It Is reported that the Bulgarians surrounded Shefkefc Pasha’s _ division on the heights east of Seridji. After a clesnerate fight the Tutus broke through and fled to Chataldja. 15,000 ARNAUTS SURRENDER. Belgrade, November 3. Boletiuatz, fciio famous Arnaut chief, with 15,000 followers, has surrendered to the Servians at Mitrovitza.

HOT ...TO BE RULED BY KEY. Paris, November 3. The Temps publishes an interview with the Bulgarian Charge d’Affaires who says that popular sentiment will, not allow the Allies to restore the freed people to Turkish rule. Europe must not repeat the Berlin Congress and adjourn the final liquidation of the subject. TO BE COURT-MARTIALLED. Received Constantinople, November 31 Azig will shortly be courlmaftialled. 13.000 WOUNDED. Twelve thousand wounded from the Thracian battlefield have arrived. ' A GREEK DEFEAT. Turkish reports of the Greek defeat (near Yodena allege that the Greeks were caught between Salonika Turks and the Monastir force, and reports also assert that the Montenegrins were repulsed at Skutari with 2000 casualties. A'bomb exploded in' the Government of Konak, Dfmotika, causing much damage. ■HEROIC ASSAULTS. Vienna, November 3. The Reichpost emphasises the heroic assaults on the Turkish centre at Kavakdere during the second day of the “Bunar Hissar battle. Undismayed and unshaken by the appalling Turkish fire the Bulgarians captured the heights at the fourth charge.

ORDERED TO THE LEVANT. London, November 3. The battle fleet has arrived at Gibraltar, and was ordered to the Levant. INEFFICIENT OFFICERS. Berlin, November 3. All efforts have failed to extract from Von Der Goltz the reason of the failure of his Turkish pupils. German experts assert that the fault does not lie in tactical lessons but in the wretched individual work of the officers. : INTERVENTION. Paris, November 3. M. Poincare has submitted to the Powers the form which intervention should take. It is understood that it meets with general approval although Austria desires to negotiate separately with Servia. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY’S POLICY. Buda Pest, November 3. The Pester Lloyd says Austria is fully determined to adhere to her policy of territorial abstinence. BULGARIAN CAPTURES.

Sofia, November 3. . During the fight at Lule Burgas the Bulgarians captured eighty guns and ICO ammunition waggons. EYES.GOUGED OUT AND HEADS SPLIT. , The Turks during the retreat from Babaeski massacred 300 of all ages and (jboth sexes at Alavali, _ Eyes were gouged out and heads split. ROUMANIAN ARMY CREDITS. Bucharest,"November 3. The Cabinet has approved of large credits for various army services. „ EGYPTIAN RED CROSS. Cairo, November 3. The Egyptian Red Cross is sending a mission to the Balkans. DUTCH INTERESTS. The Hague, November 3. The cruiser Guolderland has been ordered to Smyrna Government is considering the expenditure of 4>£ millions sterling to provide for naval defence and fortification of the Dutch Indies. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

Received November 4,9 a m, St. Petersburg, November 0. M. Sazanoff has authorised a statement ■ noting Austria-Hungary’s declaration as to confining herself to economic interests which he believed could be satisfied without prejudice to the Slav States.

PREVEZA CAPITULATES. DBrUMBR Received 9>.m. Athens, November 3. Preveza has capitulated. ADRIANOPLE BOMBARDED. Received November 4, 1 p.m. Sofia, November 8. A remnant of the Turks are making a stand between Seraj and Ohorlu. The bombardment of Adrianople is proceeding. THE GREEKS. Athens, November 8. After all 3.'id day the Greeks captured, fenidge, 14 miles from Salonika. PASSAGE QE THE DAR- . danelles.

Constantinople, November 3. The Powers have requested the Porte ;fco permit a warship of each na tiou to pass the 33ardanelies.