CHECKMATE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1794, 5 July 1913, Page 5

CHECKMATE.

BULGAR ARMY IN PERIL., COMMUNICATIONS MENACED. SERVIAN STRATEGY. LIGHTNING ADVANCE OF THE GREEKS. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Sofia, July 3. The reported Servian successes are authoritatively denied. THE "WAR" AND THE MASSACRE. BULGARIA'S VERSION OF RECENT EVENTS. (Rec. July 4, 10.30 p.m) Sofia, July i. ,A semi-official Teport states that the Bulgarians, after repelling tho first of the Servian "provocative attacks," assumed the defensive, and occupied Emeritza and other villages near the Greet lines at Leftera. Then, in pursuance of orders, they, ceased hostilities, and returned to their original positions, and sent two officers to request the Servians to cease hostilities. The Servians, instead of complying, took the offensive with all their forces, and described this movement as a pursuit of tho Bulgarians. All the Servian attacks wctp repulsed with heavy Servian losses. King Ferdinand has alleged that the declaration .of war and .also the so-called massacre of tho wounded are pure inventions. BRUTALITIES OF THE BULGARS. Belgrade, July 3. Excited crowds greeted tho arrival of wounded officers. The latter allege that Bulgarians overwhelmingly attacked the Servians on Monday last, and compelled them to retreat until reinforcements, by forced marches, turned tho tables. Foreign Consuls have visited Gievgyeli. They report that tho allegations of Bulgarian brutalities on wounded Servian and Greek soldiers nro true. The Bulgarian casualties at Retkibukive were three hundred killed and a thousand wounded. The Sorvians captured an important position dominating Retkibukive.' The Bulgarians retreated in disorder towards Ivochana. Bulgaria still holds Gievgyeli. BULGARS CROSS THE VARDAR. Vienna, July 3. Sofia fcelegams state that the Bulgarians have crossed the Vardar River north of Krivolak. The main body of Bulgarians is being directed against Egri Palanka, a Servian town, in tho province of Uskub. Another force is advancing on Salonika. SERVIANS SEIZE A VANTAGE POINT. BULGARIAN ARMY IN A TIGHT PLACE.

(Rec. July 4, 10.55 p.m.) By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Belgrade, July 4. M. Pasics, the Servian.Premier, describing tho throo days' battlo in which tho troops succeeded in driving tho Bulgarians across tho Zlctovska at Bragahritza Rivers, says that tho greatest fight took place at Ovchcpolio, whero great losses wore sustained. Three thousandfive hundred Servians were wounded. Tho number killed is uncertain. He adds that tho Bulgarian attack was pro-arranged. Tho Servians captured thirty guns, a groat quantity of war material, and 2000 prisoners, including GO officers. Tho Servians, it was estimated, lost 6000 killed and .wounded, but tho Bulgarians lost far more.

A battle is now progressing near Kochana and Ishtib. Correspondents explain that the captured position, Retkibukivo, is on t)he saddle of the Ossogova Mountain. It dominated all the positions on tho Bulgarian front, and the only road connecting Kusteddil with Retkibukivo. If tho Servians promptly seize Kochana and Rndovishto, the Bulgarian army on the left bank of the Zletovtska, at Bragalnitza, will be out off from their lines of communication, and the fate of Domitrioff's army will be sealed. The Macedonian detachment would be unable to revictual, and' would bo doomed to surrender in tho face of an harassing fire from tho Servian and Greeks attacks. Tho latest report states that the Rilo division, forming part of General Demitrioff's army, has been annihilated by a Servian cavalTy division, which is hotly pursuing the fugitives. Wounded Servians reaching Belgrade continue to narrate incredible stories of Bulgarian atrocities on helpless Servians and sufferea-a on tho battle field. SANGUINARY ENGAGEMENTS. Athens, July S. It is semi-officially stated that the Greeks have captured Gievgyeli and Kilkish. There was a sanguinary battle. The Bulgarians sustained enormous losses, and Hed in disorder. Greeks attacked Bulgarians on the River Vardar, successfully at the outset, but tho Bulgarians are now gaining tho advantage. There have been heavy casualties on both sides. King Constantino has proceeded to the front in order to take the offensive. Salonika, July 3. Tho Greek losses at Kilkish were considerable. . GREEKS' DESPERATE VALOUR. (Rec. July i, 10.55 p.m.) Athens, July 4. The Greek troops are continuing their lightning odvaneo on tho frontier. An official &spatch reports heavy Bulgarian losses outsido Salonika. Tho Greok losses liavo beon considerable, but not oxcessivo. Four Bulgarian quick-firers havo been captured. Tho Bulgarians held strongly fortified positions, but tho Greeks, with extraordinary dash, dislodged them with tho bayonet, being unablo to uso their field guns owing to tho nature of tho ground. The Greeks fought desperate, but successful, engagements at Kilkish, which was captured.

: RUMANIA PREPARING. MOBILISATION OF TROOPS. Bukarest, July 3. General mobilisation of the Rumanian army has been ordered. London, July 3. Tho "Daily Telegraph's" Vienna correspondent reports that Bulgaria agrees to tho Rumanian occupation of tho Tur-takai-Baltschik line. Bulgaria and Servia, states the correspondent, claim that their respoctivo armies arc acting strictly on tho defensive. The Servian army has crossed tho Bulgarian frontier, and is marching on Soiia, via Tzarigirod. A PLEASED SPECTATOR. TURKISH PRESS REJOICES. Constantinople, July .1. . The Porte, Uiroush llursin, Ijna wltrd tho attention of Bulgaria to the fact tliat

Itliodosto and othor points on the Turkish' sido of tho Enosmedia. frontier aro still occupied by Bulgarians, and requests tlieir speedy withdrawal. The Porto hag notilicd the Powers that it reserves liberty of action in the event of (i neiv war in Macedonia. The Turkish press rejoicca over tho Balkan complications, and hope that Turkey will prolit by the situation. Tho "Tannin" hints at co-operation with. Servia and Greece against Bulgaria. TURKEY WILL BE NEUTRAL. (Rec. July i, 10.55 p.m.) Constantinople, July 4, The Porte has resolved to observe a neutral attitude in the present situation.