BESEIGED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 71, 1 April 1913, Page 5

BESEIGED.

THE FALL OF ADRIANOPLE FIERCE FIGHTING. fßy Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Belgrade, March 31. Servian soldiers state that the sufferings of the beseigers were worst in January and February, when there were six feet of snow, and many were frostbitten. They stormed the first entrenchments and captured eight hundred prisoners. Three thousand Turks surrendered; but the besiegers were unable to advance owing to the concentrated fire frijm the forts. They remained entrenched until night,when three attempts were made to storm Papastepe by scaling the walls under fire. ’ Twenty-four . Turkish machine guns at Papastepe were captured on Wednesday morning. Early on Tuesday, the Danubian division, when within 500 yards of the Turkish lines, were discovered. A terrible fusillade from machine guns forced the Servians to entrench under fire, one battalion losing 30 per cent, of its strength, though the Turkish fire was lacking in precision.

The Danubians at 11 o’clock at night renewed the attack, though the Bulgarians at first refused, owing to their terrible losses. Servian bombthrowers, with their officers ten paces in advance of the companies, crept forward, cat-like. The Turks discovered them too late, and the bomb-throwers rushed the trenches. The Turks were reinforced, and expelled the Bulgarians, who had lost all their offi-

cers and were commanded by non-com-missioned officers.

The Bulgarian retirement exposed the Servians, who retreated to the Maritza river, hut were unable to escape owing to the bridge being broken.

Meanwhile the Timok division was in a serious plight at Fort Tepelar. When 500 yards distant, mince, exploded, killing hundreds. A regiment of Bulgarians retreated, leaving the Servians alone and in great danger. The Turks brought eight machine guns within fifty yards, and thrice counter-attacked, until forced on Wednesday to fire their stores of ammunition and abandon Fort Tepelar. THE TURKISH LOSSES. Adrianople, March 31. General Ivanoff has re-established order. The Turkish losses are estimated at 10,000 men. Sofia, March 31. Chukri Pasha states he could have held out for a further twenty days on reduced rations. London, March. 31. Mr Donohoc, telegraphing to the Daily Chronicle from Hadenkeni, states that 20,000 Bulgarians attacked and carried the advanced positions at the point of the bayonet during a rainstorm on Friday night. The Turks at daylight bombarded the captured position, making it impossible for the Bulgarians to entrench there. Six thousand Turks, in blinding rain, gallantly crossed a plateau, exposed to a withering fire, and stoimed the muddy slope. A desperate bayonet fight resulted, and the Bulgarians were driven down the other slope. A fog prevented further fighting. AUSTRIA PREPARED. Vienna, March 31. Austria lias three army corps on the Herzegovinian frontier. THE AMBASSADORS’ CONFERENCE.

(Received 12.5 p.ra.) London, March 31

Reuter’s correspondent states that the Ambassadors’ conference approved of a naval demonstration against Montenegro, but all may not participate. THE SERVIANS THANKED FOR ASSISTANCE. (Received 12.5 a.m.) Belgrade, March 31. King Ferdinand has sent a message to King Peter, thanking the Servians for their aid at Adrianople. ENGAGEMENT IN PROGRESS. Cettinje, March 31. The Turks sortied on the southern side of Tarahosh where a desperate engagement is in progress.