TURKISH RETREAT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1581, 26 October 1912, Page 5

TURKISH RETREAT.

HEAVY FIGHTING NEAR KIRK KILISSE. THOUSANDS OF TURKS CAPTURED. Constantinople, October 25. The Turkish retreat from Kirk Kilisso is officially admitted. The Turkish forces there were tinder tho command of Mahmud Mukhtar Pasha, son of tho Grand Vizier, Glinzi Mukhtar Pasha. There is continuous rain throughout the 6eat of war. Nazim Pasha, Minister for War, who is in supreme command of the Turkish forces, accompanied by wnr correspondents, has gono to tho front. Thero has been heavy fighting between Adrianople and Kirk Kilisso, 35 miles east t of AtYrircnople, throughout the day. A decisive result is uot expected until Thursday evening. Both sides are displaying the utmost bravery and determination. The Turks in ttw Anlo, redoubt, outsido Adrwmopie, assumed the offensive early on Tuesdny last, and drove oft the Bulgarians, who were aivautirig <ast, o{ the Tunja River. The Bulgarians have attacked the Turks at Kalemansia, vest of Adrianople. Tho fighting continues. Bulgarian cavalry attempted, to rush a position at Adrianople, but were driven off with great Joss. 50,000 MEN TAKEN. London, October 24. Tho Turkish garrison, lift/. thousand men, at Kirk Kilisse, many Krupp guns, and' much ammunition were captured after a, succession of assaults. • AN UNCONFIRMED RUMOUR, Sofia, October 21. Tho statement regarding the capture of fifty thousand Turks requires confirmation. Official reports state that a battery of quickiirers was captured, also many prisoners. The Turks are returning in disorder towards tho soutk : east. ( Two Pashas wero among tho captured at Kirk Kilisse. Tho Turks, in yesterday's sorties from Adrianople, lost twelve guns. Tho Bulgarians are now within three to five miles of the fortress and are fortifying tho position. FIGURE PUT AT 1200. (Eec. October 26, 11.15 p.m.) London, October 25. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent, telegraphing from Eski Saghrn, Bulgaria, states that twelve hundred Turks were captured at Kirk Kilisse by the Bulgarians, together with Krupp guns and quickiirers. The Turks fought a rearguard action, and' in this the Bulgarians were also victorious. ENTHUSIASM AT SOFIA. (Rec. October 25, 11.25 p.m.) Sofia, October 25. From Kirk Kilisse the Turks retired to Bunarhissar, seventeen miles south-east, leaving sixteen ammunition wagons and much food. Tho first reports of the Kirk Kilisso victory caused vast crowds of demonstrators bearing tho flags of the allic3 to march to the Palace and tho Legations, a party of Scouts heading tho procession. M.'Panas, the Greek Minister, was carried ehouldor high. STRENGTH OF TURKISH FORCES. London, October 24. Tho correspondent of "The Times" states that 230,000 Turks aro concentrated in Thrace, the portion of Turkey lying between the river Mesta and the Black Sea. Tho organisation of transport requires timoj henco the main body is two or three inarches south of tho present fighting. Tho advanced lino has been givoh tho mission of delaying the enomy's advance. It has apparently boon successful, though greatly outnumbered.

Mr. Bennett Burleigh, the "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent, states that the Turks linvo been stcndily repulsed. Their gun fire is indifferent.