PUMPING IN DEATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 75, 2 August 1913, Page 5

PUMPING IN DEATH.

ON THE MOUNTAIN TOPS.

A GRIM STRUGGLE

[By Electric telegraph—Copyright [United Press Association.] (Received 11.15 a.m.) London, August 1.

The Daily Telegraph says that Sunday’s battle in the Kresna Pass was really a series of struggles for the possession of isolated mountain peaks. At one spot two opposing companies ran short of ammunition and bombarded each other with stones at fifteen yards’ distance across a narrow gully, until the Greek “lapidarians” were worsted by the Bulgarians. Suddenly, at five o’clock, the Bulgarian bugles sounded and disclosed a great line of fresh troops, numbering twelve thousand. Their bayonet attack was a crucial test for the morale of the Greeks, but they remained steady, pumping magazine after magazine into the charging Bulgarians. Whole sections of Bulgarians were swept away. Other sections charged on. Dozens of bloody bayonet combats resulted. Weary, unwatered and unfed the Greeks’ line was driven hack, but a thousand infantrymen in reserve enabled the Greek centre to reform. The armies exchanged bullets on the mountain slopes at a hundred yards’ range. Further Greek reinforcements with machine guns enfiladed the Bulgarians’ right and everywhere the Bulgarian line broke. Ihe Greeks were too weary to pursue and lay down and slept. The Sixth Division alone lost thirteen hundred out of ten thousand. The total Greek loss was 2500. The Bulgarians probably lost six thousand. Greeks captured on Sunday were found with their eyes gouged out and their cars and noses cut off. One man is still alive.

CHIEF OBSTACLE TO PEACE

London, August 1

The Ambassadors’ Conference has recommended the Powers to grant Montenegro a loan of £1,200,000 to assist her irrigation from the lakes of Scutari in consideration of Montenegrin troops evacuating Albania. Bucharest, August 1.

Informal discussions by the delegates preceded the meeting in conference. The chief obstacle to an early settlement is the Greek determination to secure Kavala.

Bulgaria contends that Kavala is the natural port of Thrace. The Greek reply is that Dede Agath is Thrace’s port. '■ i ; The Bulgarians announce that they propose to construct a railway connecting Drama with Kavala, hoping thus to gain Eoumania’s support. Austria, Russia, and Italy support Bulgaria’s claim.