Progress of the Balkan War

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 53, 26 October 1912, Page 5

Progress of the Balkan War

A RETREAT DENIED. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Constantinople, October 21. The retreat from Kirk Kihssie is officially denied. ROUT OF THE SERVIANS. Constantinople, October 2-1. Mr. E. Ashmed Bartlett, the ‘Telegraph’ correspondent, says that Zekki i-'asna. and ML),DUO troops routed four divisions of Servians north of Kuinanova. THE ATTACK ON ADR I AND FEE. Vienna, October 25. The ‘lleichpost,’ whose correspondent seems to he accompanying the Bulgarians on their march, states that General Wanolf’s first army on Tuesday commenced attacking the outworks of Adrianople. Other divisions attacked the heights of Chatalja and Arda on Wednesday. Tito Turks showed great bravery, bur were repulsed, though well supported by artillery. The Bulgarian quickfirers mowed down wliole detachments. Diminiff’s army, which is massed east and west of Tirnova, was also attacked. KIRK KILIS3IE BATTLE. Sofia, October 25. The Turks have retired to Bunarhis'sar, twenty-five kilometres southeast, leaving sixteen ammunition waggons and much food. The first report from Kirk Kilissio caused vast crowds of demonstrators hearing flags of the allies to march, to the Palace and the Legations. A party of scouts iieadcd the procession. JVJ. Panis, the Greek Minister, was carried shoulder higii. BULGARIANS CAPTURE TURKS, Loudon, October 25. The ‘Chronicle’s’ Starazagora corre spondent says that twelve hundred lurks were captured at Kirk Kihssie, and also some Krupp quickfirers. The Turks fought a rearguard action in which the Bulgarians were also victorious. THE MARCHING ARMIES. Constantinople, October 25. It is officially explained that three array corps have commenced an offensive movement east of Tunja, wits a view to forcing the Bulgarians to deploy and disclose their strength. Pile movement was unsuccessful because the army encountered the main army, which had a left covering force at Adrianople, while attempting to work to the rear and menace Constantinople. The advance column attempted to surprise the Bulgarians, but when it was found that they worn in full strength they did not, persist, and retired to the south. It has now been decided to fall back on Babeski, near Luleburgas, where seven army corps are concentrated. Four more reserves are in course of formation nearer Constantinople. The garrisons of the army corps has. left Adrianople. If the Bulgarians refuse .the offensive with Nazim Pasha’s forces, a general engagement will be held north oi Adrianople. The retirement on Kirk Kilissia was purely strategical, to enable Nazim’s units to concentrate.

The war correspondents have arrived at Babaeski. THE TURKS’ PREDICAMENT. Athens, October 25. Twenty-two thousand 'Turks under General Rizabey, have been driven by the victorious Greeks to Serfidje, and are now hedged on the east cliffs oi Mount Para, west of the icy torrent of Haliakmon. BULGARIAN PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. (Received 26, 8.5 a.rn.) London, October 25. General Vendergoltz bestowed much attention upon Kirk Kilis ie. The en tire Bulgarian general staff in IUII spent sixteen days studying the ground in the district. ‘The Times’ ’ Vienna correspondent says that quite late in the mobilisation the Bulgarians decided on an at tack between the Maritza and Tunja Rivers, instead of placing the bulk of the troops at Hernanli and Adriauople. The line of the amended plan is a much bolder strategical conception but it involved grave risks. Another account suggests that the Bulgarians believe ’A(manciple to be the weakest in the south.

THE TURKS RETREAT. Sofia, October 25. There was fighting at Arc!a on Tues clay, when 800 U Turks were attacked. Retreating in disorder, many threw themselves into the river filar.tz i, and were drowned, believing that the Bulgarians massacred prisoners. BOMBARDING TARADCSCH. Cettinje, October 25. The bombardment of Taradoscli con li.mios. General Martinovoigi captured the heights at Siiiroka, a new point from where to shell Taradosch. PROCLAMATION OF NEUTRALITY. Received 2G, 9.35 a.m.) Melbourne, October 26. The Federal Government has issued a proclamation of neutrality iu tne Balkan War. CREEK ROYALTIES. Athens, October 25. The King ami Queen, Prince Giorge. and Princess Marie have gone to Larisa. The King intends to meet the Crown Prince of Servia. Fifteen thousand Turks at Janina are cut off. MASSACRE A+ SERFIDJE. Heartrending sights met the Greeks on entering Serlidje. Seventy women and children were lying dead on the door steps of the court yard, and every position, indicating that they had tried to save their offspring. SERVIANS IN CONFUSION. Constantinople, October 25. IfKki Pasha, while on the Plain at Kumanovo, learned that a smaller Rn] - garian force was endeavouring to junction with four Servian divirions. Tfkk* Pasha attacked the Servians, who fled in confusion, leaving a battery of artillery. Many prisoners were wounded. Meanwhile the Bulgarians attempted a diversion hv means of a flank attack from the Kosiak Mountains. li’kki Pasha turned the division round, the Bulgarians capturing fr.nr field gnus. Belgrade, October 25. Three divisions of Turks defending

Kumanovo had a desperate battle. The '1 in Kish artillery r.ctvauced in an attempt to destroy the Servian artillery, hut witnurcw to Lskub m great disorder. SURRENDER OF SCUTARI. Ceaiaje, October 25. The Montenegrins surrendered Scutari, u nion urns uoiubarded lor a i,darter or an hour, without damaging tne town, Envoys have proceeded to tne town to negotiate lor tne surrender. London, October 25. Later telegrams indicate a Montenegnn repulse ..t scutaii. \ lenna wires state that a fall is imminent. They also state that the Balkan Jaeague intend to resist any deprivation of the fruits of the conquest ana establish a confederacy with customs. mere lias been a union of Montenegrin arfiiy within live miles of cue Servians at Sicnu/a. Elassona, where the Greeks are reported to have won a victory, is on classic ground. It is mentioned, under a different name, hy Homer, and it stands on the lower slopes of Mount Olympus, the fabled abode of the Gods, file uar of 1897 began south of itlassona. there being a fierce contest for possession of the Meiuna Hass, into Greece. In that war the Turkish artillery was inferior to the Greek. Tne Struma River, on which one of the three Turkisn armies in Mecedonia is reported to be, llous south from Lulgaria into the Aegean. The third army is between Lshub and ivuprili. These places are in the middle of Mace donia, on the railway line, There is only one lino tupping Macedonia from Turkey proper, and it winds about considerably on the way. Egn Talauica, by u nion tne northern army is expelled to invade Bulgaria, is a small place iidar the south-west frontier. faience a main road runs to Sofia, the distanc e as tne crow hies being about seventy i miles. Tne Greeks, in lighting in Epirus, are operating in country, they long to possess. The frontier assigned to Greece at the Berlin Conference in 18/8 took in Epirus, but by the international Conference summoned in 1881 to consider this question, that region was taken away. The disappointment at the decision of the Towers had something to do with the war of 1897.-