THE BALKAN WAR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 514, 2 November 1912, Page 5

THE BALKAN WAR.

I ... | FURTHER TURKISH REVERSES. j ATROCITIES on VILLAGERS. I BY DEMORALISED SOLDIERY. I{, TeK"-'.niph.- I'ix"-:- ,\: .ajcialjoii. (.'opjnuJlf' London, Friday. The Daily Telegraph publishes a statement that the Lowers agree to mediate forthwith to nccuro an armis--1 ice with a view l<> preventing unnecessary bloodshed relying upon diplomacy 1o unfold untrue settlement. The Standard's < 'onstantinoplo correspondent states the appointment of Kiamil Crand Vi;,ier, with his wellknown close relations to Britain, showed Hie l'orte's inclination to negotiate peace. The Times' Sofia correspondent states no Iriumph was evoked at the public demonstration. Fears are expressed that Bulgaria, as in ISS.I, may possibly bo deprived of victory. The imminence of an Austro Hungarian-Roumanian mobilisation is spreading. There is littlo confidence in the Triple Entente to secure fair play for those risking everything in the cause of freedom. Whether tho concert of Europe h.oldß or breaks up tho Balkan League firmly adheres to its own programme. Vienna newspapers deduce from the movements of the Turkish columns, following the Bulgarians success at Lueburgas that Nazim has been thoroughly beaten. The Turks wure outnumbered manoeuvred by a flanking movement and the line of battle broken as at Kriilliso .Renter reports the Bulgarians at Luleburgas captured more trains as well as provisions and amnion i t ion. It is reported tho Turks at Constantinople shot two hundred Christians belonging to tho army defeated at Kirkillisse. Tho Bulgarian artillery directed by a captive balloon and aeroplanea greatly damaged the fort at Adrianople. Sofia, Friday. The battle was obatinate and decisive, the Bulgarian cavalry advancing from Kirkillisae Babeska and reached Luleburgas on Tuesday followed bv the bulk of Dumstriieff's and Katchineff'a combined armies and encountered Nazim. Both sides had equal forces and a great and almost unbroken serieß of battles ensued. Tho Bulgari ns attacking with tho utmost impetuosity, eventually, throughout tho line overcoming tho Turks strenuous oppositions. A retreat degenerated into a disastrous helter-skelter, the Bulgaria pursuers severely punishing tho panicstricken forces. It is reported that Chorlei is captured and the Bulgarina advancing on Chatalariajc.

The campaign in regarded as virtually over. The wounded are arriving at Sofia in thousands, all t.ho larger buildings and hospitals and many residences have boon trnnsforrod into hospitals. Every be/I in the military hospital is occupied and extra bods laid on bare floors. All the Turkish patients are accommodated with beds.

Two Servian ofiieers arrived at Sofia from Egripalahka and Kumanova report hideous atrocities by retreated Turks. The roads :iro strewn with corpses of Cliirsl ianti and peasants. In many cases the bodies of

even women and children were mutilated and bore evidence of torture. Charred corpses were found, indicating the victims had been tied to trees and burned alive or impaled and then roasted.

The majority of villages have been burned. In some cases tho heads of thoFo decapitated were laid in rows before the doors of the houses.

The tetimony of these oflicer was taken before tho Servian Minister and forwarded to Belgrade.

Berlin, Friday,

The Powers aro <)i;;fuhninj t tho riaka of massacre ami j1 i 1!;i;;;<> in Turkey by demoralised soldiery am! mobs. It ia understood any intervention will bo entirely unpolitical, end t.hi 1 protection of foreign interests will be ontruHlecl to the Powers' navies. JJueharest, Friday. It is authoritatively staled that Roumanians will quie'Jy and it tho Powers' Conference, then resolutely demand tlie recognition of vital interests and will niilitarially delond her rights if they are ignored. Holla, Friday. Tlie. Turks have burned villagea in Maush district westward of Adrianoplo and Aivali, and north-westward off Luleburgas, and massacred all tho Christian inhabitants. All tho villages in the Menik district have boon destroyed. Athens, Friday. Tho forces of Greoco havo occupied the island of lmberos and Thanes. Constantinople, Friday. According to Turkish ollicials' report tho retreat of :!:_!,(><)() Hulgarian troops to Strandja pi.urntains is cut oil'. Numbers of wounded are daily arriving at th>> capital. On Friday, owing' to serious new:; from the front, the Council has been silting' since tho evening, considering the question of concluding peace.