MACEDONIAN ARMY FLEES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1584, 30 October 1912, Page 5

MACEDONIAN ARMY FLEES.

SWEEPING SERVIAN VICTORY.

TURKS MOWED DOW! II ROWS BY KING PETER'S TROOPS.

BULGARIANS ADVANCE SOOTH.

By Teleeraph—Press Association— Copyricht (Kec. October 29, 10.20 p.m.) Belgrade, October 29. During the pursuit of tho Turkish Army in Macedonia by the Semens after the battle of Kuinanovo, tho Servians captured an enormous amount of railway rolling- stock and bridge material. Tho Turkish troops became panicstricken, and in their mad flight fought each other. Several were killed in frantic struggles for seats in the trains or the possession of any sort of a vehicle. A largo section of the fugitives were overtaken on' tho Ovchepolie Plain, towards Kuprili, nnd were again defeated with heavy less'. Saint Nicola, midway between Ovchepolie and Istib, was next occupied. 'The inhabitants of Istib rose against the Turks, and seized all their arms. Twenty-five- Servians were killed and six wounded in the taking of Verisovich,

85 miles north-west of Uskub. A thou-. sand Arnauts were taken prisonersWounded officers describe the fight at Kumanovo as most eanguinary and. stubborn, eventually becoming a shambles. The combatants hacked each other, and the battlefield was littered with corpses still clutching their daggers and bayonets. • . Three divisions of Turkish regulars, together with numerous irregulars, began the attack on Wednesday night in clear moonlight. .The Servians, with machine guns, waited until the Turks were at close range, and then opened a withering fire, which, with the infantry, fire, mowed the Turks down in rows as they advanced. Dense masses of Turkish troops essayed a bayonet charge, but their numbers were eo thinned that the effect was negligible. The Servians scarcely suffered through, the Turkish fire.

The Servians then charged with the bayonet into the valley and along the wooded hillsides, and repelled the attack with ghastly losses to the Turks. Thirteen Servian regiments forming the first line charged with magnificent courage, and swept everything before them, the Turks being pressed back into the hills. At daylight tho Servian artillery joined in the battle with great skill, and decimated the Turks retreating rn tho narrow valleys.

The Turkish artillery attempted to protect their infantry, but was badly served and their rango was bad. Many of their 6hells did not explode.

The battle lasted throughout Thursday. The Servian cavalry, after a long flank march, came round the Turks' right in the rear, compelling the evacuation of a. strong position. The road to Uskub was thus opened.

TRE FALL OF KIRK KILISSE

TURKS SCATTERED BROADCAST. (Rcc. October 29, 11.30 p.m.) Vienna, October 29. The "Eeichpost" reports that 150,000 Turks were engaged in tho fighting at Kirk Kilisse. The bulk began to retreat on Thursday. A division and a half by defending tho town covered tho retreat of the defenders, who were fleeing eastward, and made a desperate resistance on tho Jundala heights. Tho majority were cut off and scattered in all directions. Captives report that tho Turks generally are greatly demoralised, and tho officers were the first to throw up tho sponge. Amongst the captured baggage of Mukhtar Pasha, commander-in-chief at Kirk Kilisso, was a jewelled sword, the gift of the Sultan.

REJOICING IN SERVIA. REPORTED SURRENDER OF TURKS. SUPPLY WAGONS CAPTURED. London, October 28. Owing to its historical association* the capture of Uskub has appealed to the popular imagination of .the Servians much more than, have all the hard-won victories. King Peter has issued a proclamation liberating and repatriating all prisoners, both Turks a-iul Albanians. Threo divisions of Turks, routed southwards of Kumanovo, retreated in disorder. Tho Sofia correspondent of "The Times" says tho moral effect of the capture of Uskub will probably exceed tliat of Kirk , Kilisse. Fifteen guns were- taken by the Servians at Mitrovitza.and one hundred and thirteen at Uskub. During the campaign tho allies have captured 310 guns. When the Servians approached Uskub the Turkish authorities and police Hod, and Bashi-Bazouks commenced to pillage. Tho Consuls thereupon invited the Servians to enter. The latter seized six hundred wagons containing supplies. Neighbouring towns nre surrendering. Router's Agency states that tho Servians have captured Morovita. It is officially stated in Belgrade that tho portion of tho Turkish Army which retreated from Usfciib towards Tetovo in tho west, have surrendered to the Servian cavalry.. Tho latter captured a further 123 gun?. The Servian vanguard has reached Istib.

Prince Abdurrahim, a son of the oxSultan, Abdul Hamid, who was serving under Azim Bey at Kirk Kilisse, was wounded in the arm and leg.

A FEIGNED RETREAT. General Dimitrieff, reporting on the capture of Kirk Kilisse, says a division sortiod in the nighttime. The Bulgarian stormers feigned to. retreat and drew the Turks within range of tho machine gunsi which practically annihilated them. After that Mukhtar Pasha quitted the town. Mukhtar'fc baggage was captured. It contained the whole plan of campaign.

A wounded Bulgarian officer reports that there was a four-hours' series of bayonet assaults, during which, the more important positions were taken. One storming party, under a cross-firo, suffered severely; nevertheless, it persisted.

The captures of two of the Kirk Kilisse redoubts by bayonet charges were 60 rapid that the defenders had no time to fix their bayonets before meeting tho shock.

FORCES IN CONFUSION. Constantinople, October 28. Owing to the Turkish commander's impatience to take the offensive, an advance was authorised on the night of October 21. A . column of infantry, cavalry, and volunteers, under Mukhtar Pasha (Commander-in-Chief) and Prince Aziz, moved northwards of Kirk Kilisse, with the intention of surprising tho Bulgarians. The night was extremely stormy and wot. The column was divided into two sections, following different paths.

The vanguard came into contact with the Bulgarians at dawn. Tho latter were in overwhelming strength. Then a mistake arose, both Turkish sections firing on one another. There was heavy loss before tho error was discovered.

Tho Turkish cavalry attempted a charge, but were - severely punished, and (led. This created apanic among the retiring infantry, especially the volunteers, who precipitately bolted, throwing the reserves into confusion. Ultimately tho second • division of the Constantinople Army Corps stemmed tho rout. Details of the losses are not known. It is believed that one division was decimated. ADVANCE ON THE CAPITAL. MORE TOWNS OCCUPIED. HUGE SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS - '. SEIZED. (Ilec. October 29, 11.30 p.m.). Sofia, October 29. The Bulgarians havo captured two pro-vision-laden trains. The provisions captured at Kirk Kilisse will suffice to maintain 100.000 men for three months. Tho Bulgarians have occupied Lule Burgas. Tho capture of Baba Eski was effected by Bulgarian cavalry. Tho Turks are making a stand on the river Ergene, and aro constructing earthworks along tho river westward of Baba Eski. The Bulgarian cavalry bo 3 cut communication between Adrianoplo and Constantinople. It is reported that the Bulgarians havo captured DimoKka, on tho Salonika Tailway, 32 miles west of Baba Eski. BULGARIA AND INTERVENTION. Sofia, October 28. The Bulgarians havo occupied liunar Ilissur, 18 miles south-east of Kirk Kilisse. After the capture of Baba Eski tho Bui-

ga-rians seized a military train laden with Turkish troops and supplies bound for Adrianople.

M. , Gunshoff, Bulgarian Premier, interviewed, said that Bulgaria ivos Teady to accept intervention by the Powers. If tho-Turks [? did not] agree, Bulgaria would dictate terms beforo the gates of Constantinople.

BRIDGE BLOWN UP. Sofia, October 23. General Dimitrieff advanced along the lino from Kenidgo to Baba Eski, in the province of Kirk Kilisse. Simultaneously tho western column moved towards Havia. A' bridge over the river at Chorlu was blown up, cutting tho communication between Constantinople and Lulu Burgas. A portion of tho Adrianoplo garrison has retreated to Dimotika, twenty-three miles south by west of Adrianople. ADRIANOPLE IMPREGNABLE. Constantinople, October 23. The commander at Adrianople has issued a proclamation to the soldiers, who, ho says, heroically did their duty outsido. They are exhorted to now defend tho town as their fathers defended Plevna against tho Russians. Tho military declare that Adrianople is impregnable. Tho garrison has made frequent sallies, inflicting heavy loss on tho Bulgarians. NAZIM'S ALTERNATIVE. VICTORY ESSENTIAL TO TURKEY. DISAFFECTION IN THE ARMY. (Rec. October 30, 1 a.m.) London, October 29. "Tho Times" declares that Naziru Pasha must now fight, or witness Vho pnss-

ing of the Ottoman Empire in Europe. His force comprises four army corps, and many ,of these troops are scarcely the flower of the army. Probably tho bulk are south and east of Lnlo Burgas, and are momentarily almost isolated.

A Vienna message says it is semi-ofli-cially announced at Constantinople that a number of Turkish officers havo refused to proceed, to their posts, and that Nazim Pasha threatens them with severest penalties. The "Standard's" Constantinople correspondent says it is rumoured that two hundred of the rank and file of Kirk Kilisse were shot for cowardice. .

The "Daily Telegraph's" Constantinople correspondent reports that Azin Boy, Governor of Kirk Kilisse, who is said to have been responsible for the panic in tho town, has been executed,

MACEDONIA ISOLATED. (Rec. October 29, 11.30 p.m.) Sofia, October 29. The Bulgarians havo taken Kresna Pass and tho town of Drama, on the Con-stantinople-Salonika railway, 20 miles north-east of the mouth of the Struma River. The Turks have retired from Kuprili in disorder. Four thousand Macedonian volunteers have left Sofia for the front. Tho capture of Drama severs communication between Constantinople and Macedonia.

THE STATUS QUO. ITS MAINTENANCE IMPOSSIBLE. TSAR'S MESSAGE TO SERVIA. (Ecc. October 30, 1 a.m.) London, October 29. The Tsar's message after the taking of Uskub congratulated King Peter of Servia on his army's 6uccess in Macedonia, without the need of invoking, outside assistance. The consensus of opinion among tho newspaper correspondents is that tho Balkan, League's victories have made a. profound impression in Vienna, where Austro-Hungarian interests are regarded as economic, not territorial. It is explained that when tho Viennese official press refers to the maintenance of the status quo it merely implies the maintenance as far as possible of the great Powers' moral influence in southcasterni Europe. AUSTRIA'S INTENTIONS. Berlin, October 2S. , The newspaper "Berliner Tngeblalt" publishes a Vianua messago stating that if the Powers' programme with reference to tbo status quo is not maintained, Austria will consider herself free to follow her own. policy. PANIC ON BERLIN BOURSE. (Uec. October 29, 11.30 p.m.) Berlin, October 29. There has been some panic on the Bourse in consequence of fears of European complications. Tlio banks prevented a general collapse. NO MUZZLING OF THE SMV3. St. Petersburg, October 28. The newspapers are practically unanimous that it will be impossible to restore the status quo ill tlio Balkans. Tho "N'ovqo Vromy.i" says it is impossible to niuzilo the Slavs, .

NAVAL RESERVE SUMMONED. London, October 23. Class A of the Naval Reserve, numbering 7000 men, has been ordered to be in readiness. It is stated Hint any orders issued are merely in connection with the routine of (raining.

RUSSIA SEEKING FOR SHIPS, (Rcc. October 29, 11.30 p.m.) Berlin, October 29. The "Berliner Tageblatt" 6tates that Generals l'ushtchin and Vederinkoff are negotiating at Danzig for the purchase of ship 3 for Russia. MONTENEGRO'S CAMPAIGN. TARABOSCH FORT TAKEN, (Rec. October 30, 1 a.m.) London, October 29. Tho "Morning Post" reports that the Montenegrin flag now (lies on the summit of Tarabosch, the principal port outsido Scutari.

Tho Montenegrins have captured Plevlio, in the northern portion of the sanjak of Novi Bazar. (Eec. October 29, 11.30 p.m.) Cetinjc, October 29. The Montenegrins are athwart the San Giovanni di Medua Road, cutting,off the Turks' prospective lino of retreat from Scutari. They have captured ten thousand, sacks of Hour intended for Scutari. GREEK ADVANCE. FORTY MILES FROM SALONIKA. Athens, October 28. The Greek objective is Salonika. Greek troops are now within forty miles of the place.

ABDUL HAMID IN THE CAPITAL. A CHANGE OF PRISONS. (Eeo. October 29, 11.30 p.m.) Constantinople, October 29. ' Tho ex-Sultan, Abdul-Hamid, has arrived in Constantinople from Salonika. Hβ was privately conducted to ouo of the pnlnces on the Bosphorous. THE SMYENA DISASTER. London, October 28. The Smyrna train, which was wrecked a few days ago, carried 700 soldiers, of whom half were killed. Many peasants who were rendering aid were massacred by Turkish soldiers, who suspected them of having caused the accident. Greek committees in England have raised J615,000 to relieve tho Epirus refugees. AEROPLANES FOR BULGARIA. St. Petersburg, October 28. A Bulgarian, representative in St. Petersburg is purchasing aeroplanes and engaging aviators. Servia is also purchasing aeroplanes. Several of the best Russian, airmen are starting south. RUMANIAN PRECAUTIONS. Bukarest, October 28. Precautions designed to render Rumanian army mobilisation effective within a fortnight, if needed, are being taken.

A DYINC RAGE.

THE TURK AND THE FUTURE. LOSSES IN THE WAR OP 1897. Somo interesting sidelights on the situation in Turkey and tho continuous draining of tho army for profitless campaigns in distant parts of the Empire were given by Sir William Kamsay in an articlo which he contributed to the "Manchester Guardian" last year. After referring to the futility and expensiveness of the campaign in the Yemen (Southern Arabia) which had been dragging on for unnumbered years, Sir William Ramsay said-.— "The loss of the Turks in such wars is far greater than appears. Take the Greek war under the late Sultan, a successful war with little fighting. I givo the estimate of the losses on both sides as stated to me in conversation by an excellent German authority long resident in Turkey, a skilful observer, familiar with all that is known to the best German study of Turkish conditions, and himself very friendly to Turkey, and at one time fairly hopeful of success for the Young Turks. According to him the Greeks lost 300 killed iu tho field and 3000 wounded, etc. They retreated with such skill and celerity that they suffered little.. The Turks lost 2000 killed in tho field and 6000 wounded, etc., during the aclunl military operations; but in the months that followed, when they were in undisturbed occupation of Thessaly, when there was no lighting, and no enemy before (hem, they lost 30,000 men from disease in a country not- so hot and terrible as Yemen, but similar in character and conditions to their own. Such were tho results partly of ignorance, inefficiency, and carelessBess in all parts of the service from tho highest officers to the humblest ranks, and partly of other causes, which must be stateil—an appalling indication of Turkish methods. lam speaking on the fame authority. He asked me, 'Jlavo you ever seen a Turkish-soldier wanting an arm \>r leg or hand or font?' I could only answer that during thirty years' experience in Turkey I had never beheld such a sisht: the only mutilation was two noseless and earless men who had l>ooll taken prisoner by the Montenegrins, and who (according to what was said to be Mouteni'prin custom in regard to any Turkish prisoners whoso lives were spared) were relieved of tho prominent parts of their person. I do not vouch for this Montenegrin custom i I only stnto wliat vac, said to mo bar Turkish anldiors.

"Further, I could not but add that I had .seen surprisingly few Turks who had taken part in any of tho many wars of the last forty years and had returned to live at home. My friend told me that he had been informed by army doctors that their instructions wore not to proservo men to be a burden to ihe State. Few doctors, and those lew instructed not lo do their best to preserve life! .Hence the disproportionately (.''"eat mortality among Turkish soldiers. When sucli was tho spirit of the Uamidian era, it is not strange that the army of European Turkey passed through discontent to rebellion. We may hope and trust that soldiers' lives are now more valued.

The Monace of Disease. "Another causo I can add from personal observation and from the report of men ivho know Turkey well. Jhe lurks of Anatolia, while they are very hardy, are rarely ablo to resist disease. A lurk who takes to bed from sickness never rises; that may bo stated roughly as a general rule—exceptions are tew. ine Turkish peasants walk or sit until they drop to riso no more; they lie down, only to sleep or to die. There is in them a certain want of recuperative power, whicli is perhaps duo partly or wholly to the frightful prevalence of venereal disease. The same German authority told mo that army doctors simply made a pnictieo or prescribing the specific for that kind of disease along with the remedy ior any other ailment from which any person in the army was suffering. Ho aso confirmed entirely and absolutely the terrible verdict which 1 have quoted in both my books about Turkey as pronounced by all the most experienced observers whom I have met, and confirmed by my own observation: 'The Turks are dying out.' In my 'Revolution in Turkey,' I quoted the assertion of a great German physician riiado to an English friend of my own after spending tour years in a careful inspection of tho provinces of Angora and Castnrauni at the orders of Abdul-Hamid: 'Withro fifty years there will not 1)0 a Turk left in those provinces, and nothing can bo done to prevent their extinction. . My German friend named the physician, whom he know- personally, and who is now m high position in a great German University. "Tho two worst characteristics of Mahometan society aro the prevalence ot war, with tho belief in tho duty of the Holy War against all unbelievers, and, secondly, tho seclusion of women in tho harem system. From theso two characteristics comes tho, doom ot Anrkey Tho soldiers bring tho disease to tho villages. Tho harem system facilitates tho spread and interposes insurmountable obstacles to the elfcctivo treatment of tho disease. There are other features of this, subject too .horrible to mention, and I pass from it. I should have preferred to say nothing about it, but it is an essential factor in the situation. How can a peoplo that is r dying out retain its position as a dominant nnd conquering race?

Bulgaria and the Turkish Army. "In my 'Revolution in Turkey' it .is mentioned that at the outbreak of the Bulgarian difficulty in tiio latter part or 1908 tho condition of Hip Turkish "my in Macedonia was hopeless, and the furklsh conduct this determined by this fact. There wero no stores, no proper equipment' and hardly any ammunition. Such was the gist of a secret report sent in to the Government by an officer dopnted-for Hie purpose. This I recorded on tho authority of the person whoso evidence about the situation was tho • absolutely best. I also mentioned that this fact was quite well known to the Bulgarian Government, which calculated that it could march to the defensive- lines _ of Constantinople without serious oppositiou. It was, of course, the first duty of the Young Turks to remedy this state of affairs, and provide for the. defence of the country against their nearest neighbour and onomy. Their policy ever sine* was, or at least ought to have been, governed by this snprem© duty. But if soldiers and nioney and stores were squandered in distant "enterprises tho homo army could not be kept tip at sufficient strength, and there is very grave doubt whether the army in Macedonia is sufficiently equipped to fight a war against Bulgaria for many days. This grave risk is always hanging over Turkey, and yet the Government sends off soldiers in thousands to Yemen to die there."