THE BALKAN WAR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 516, 9 November 1912, Page 5

THE BALKAN WAR.

TURKEY'S LAST LINE. ROAD TO CAPITAL OPEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright London, Thursday. The uninterrupted successes to the Bulgarian arms continues, and the Ottoman army has been driven from its entrencheta at Chataldja, only 25 miles due east of the capital. The forces of Nazim Pasha have made their last stand in the open, and must now fall back on the capital. The siege of Adrianople is now very close, fifty thousand Serbs having gone to the assistance of the Bulgars. The beleagured area looks like a deserted city to those outside it, save for the fitful work of the defenders' guns, which occasionally disturb the surroundings without hurting the Bulgars, who are withholding their fire till the final rush. It is reported that the losses in the two-day battle over the Song line from Tchorlu to Serai were heavier than at Lule Burgaa, where 15,000 men were killed or wounded in the army of the invadera, and 40,000 on the Turkish side. The cordon is now drawn fairly tightly round Salonika, and the army of Macedonia, under Fethi Paaha, which was opposing the Greek advance, has withdrawn into the town, which is overcrowded by the presence of 150,000 refugees. The retreating Turks are keeping up their record for massacres, and at Rodosto, prior to the Bulgarian occupation, ruthless slaughter was witnessed. The town was set on fire, and helpless children were thrown into the flames. Servia is insisting on her right to a port on the Adriatic, a proposition to which Austria is Btrongly opposed. Ihe allies are of opinion that they should be left to divide the spoil as they think fit, though King Nicholas of Montenergo thinks they can please Europe in the process.

AN OPTIMISTIC ARMY,

Received November 8. 9.10 p.m. Constantinople, Thursday. Public opinion is hostile to the Government proposal for mediation. Nazim Pasha informed the Government that the army was determined to fight to the last, and he was confident of ultimate success. The principal officers signed a memorial to the Grand Vizier in favour of a continuance of the war. Rains have transformed the plains round Chataldji into a morass and transport is difficult. AN ENFORCE ARMISTICE. It will probably be several days before the contestants again meet. OVERCROWDED SALONIKA. Distressing scenes occur outside the walls of Saionka, where crowds of destitiute refugees from all parts of the country are seeking help. The authorities are sending as many as possible to Asia Minor. AMBASSADORS CONFER. Ambassadors of the five Powers had a collective meeting with the Grand Viizer. It is understood they discussed measures for the public safety from a disinterested attitude.

THE TRIPLE ENTENTE. Received November, 12.40 a.m. Berlin, Friday. The Triple Entente, after declaring proclaiming adherence to the status quo. created disappointment in official circleß. The visit of San Guidano, the Italian Foreign Minister, is regarded as setting the seal on to the Triple'a agreement as to the line of action to be followed in the Balkans. It is believed they will firmly resist Servia's acquiring any Adriatic ports. SERVIA'S DESIRE FOR A PORT. The Frankfurter Zeitung says the Austro-Italian agreement expects the guaranteeing oC the integrity and independence of Albania whereon Austria and Italy can count upon German support. Servia's desire for a harbour can be gratified on the Aegean const with less danger. SERVIANS' HEAVY LOSSES. Belgrade, Thursday. The Servian losses in the two-day battle preceding the surrender of Prilep were heavier than the Turks'. SERVIA AND THE ADRIATIC. Servia has informed the Powers that she intends to gain access to the Adriatic. THE BULGARIANS' ADVANCE. Vienna, Thursday. The Reichpost reports that Nazim Pasha's army vigorously defended both sides at Cherkesskeui, and coun-ter-attacked the first Bulgarian army's centre at Uzun Hadiz, thirteen miles northwards of Tchorlu, but they were outflanked and almost annihilated. Thereupon the whole Turkish front retreated. The Bulgarian army advanced several columns, one traversing Kastania, another Ormanli, westward of Derkos lake, and all converging captured the position. After the Turks had been expelled from the heights near Chataldja, fighting began along the whole front.