Progress of the Balkan War

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 51, 24 October 1912, Page 5

Progress of the Balkan War

BULGARIAN REVERSES. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Constantinople, October 23. It is officially stated that several thousand Bulgarians and irreguiars in Djumaibala district, otherwise known as Jumaya, concentrated in the Kiesua Pass and burnt the villages to prevent a Turkish approach. The Tui ks surrounded the Jjulgarians and practically exterminated them. It'is officially announced that the Bulgarians were defeated with heavy loss at Kirk Kilissia. BATTLE OF KIRK KILISSIA. Vienna, October 23. A Bulgarian column, larger than that at Mustafa, crossed the wooded mountains at Jamboli and Tirnova, and attacked Kirk Kilissia, apparently attempting to storm it instead of waiting for a siege with artillery. Three forts were out of date, owing to being too close to tbe town, but the field works recently thrown up formed a circle twelve miles around the town, including 120 guns. It is officially stated that the army at Kirk Kilissia advanced to the east of Tunja village and encountered the Bulgarians. Heavy fighting ensued. An impetuous Turkish assault captured the position, and there were heavy Bulgarian losses. The second Turkish column was successful in an encounter west of Kali mandja. The fight was continuing at nightfall. The Turkish advance was irresistible. A large party cf Ottoman Bulgarians (including a number of schoolmas ers; nave been removed from Adrianople tc Constantinople, and will probably bt sent to Asia Minor. BOMBARDMENT OF TARABOSCH. Podgoritza, October 23. King Nicholas has advanced his headquarters to Antivari. General Martinovic’s infantry mass cd on the slopes of Tarabosch. Othoi infantry are carrying out a secre march on the roads. They blastod'tlu mountains to allow of the passage o the heavy artillery, which is mounted on t lie heights around Tarabosch There was a bombardment lasting fwii hours, and the fort on the hi.l is pock marked by shell fire. General Larovitch, with the centra] Montenegrin army, is three hours march from Scutari. The M.dissor are covering his left among the mountains. I AMBUSH OF THE TURKS. Sofia, October 23. A Turkish force, advancing to re lieve Djumaibala, entered the Kvesn Pass unaware. Two thousand iusury cuts, who were captured there, blew up the bridge over the Struma, at th< foot of tbe pass. Confusion followed and many 'l urks were drowned. A thousand officers and men, thro-: Krupp guns, and one machine gin were captured. INFRINGING HUMANE LAWS. (Received 24, 8.5 a.m.) Belgrade, October 23. The Servian wounded state that th Turkish guns and ammunition are fa, inferior to the Servian. It is s gn ii an that none of the Servians were wound ed by the artillery fire. They cba. g the Turks with not observing the Gen eva Convention, and committing othe. infractions of tbe laws of humanity. Most of the bullet wounds are ous owing to the Albanians using .45. Martini bullets. CAPTURE OF PRISHTINA. The Servians captured Prishtina, af ter hard fighting. CUTTING COMMUNICATIONS.

A column,which occupied Egripalan ka divided, one ocupiecl Koch.uia, and the other Kratovo. Athens, Octohor 23. Five hundred occupied Oastro Letnos, capturing three officers and fort,) two men, which enables them to cm the Salonika cable and forces Macedonia to depend upon wireless. A SERIOUS MISTAKE. The impetuosity of the Greek centre at Elassoua did not give the Evzones Highlanders time to turn thci, flank, and caused the failure to cap ture 3000 Turks. ' The Crown Prince’s horse was simi under him. THE ATTACK ON SERFIJE. General'Danglis’ army, after a fore ed march on midnight of Monday, attacked defiles on the Sarantopors Riv er, and met with a vigorous resistance from the Turks, who are withdrawing from Serfije. The result is unknown Constantinole, October 23. The Greeks have reached Katerina, on the Gulf of Salonika, with the ob ject of cutting off the Turks at Serfije. Other reports state that the Greeks are bombarding Preveza. THE TURKISH FLEET. The Turkish fleet is preparing to raid the Aegaen Sea. TURKS DRIVEN BACK. Athens, October 23‘ The Greeks have driven back twen-ty-two battalions of Turks, with six batteries, to Serfije. BOTH SIDES VICTORIOUS. ECHOES OF THE WAR. (Received 24, 9.35 a.in.) London, October 23. Strict censorship prevents reliable information about war. In official statements both sides invariably claim victory. Eighty correspondents are held up at the Bulgarian headquarters at Star azogora, where only an echo of the war is heard. TERRIFIC FIGHTING. Sofia, Octohor 23. It is officially stated tha f there has Immi terrific fighting to-day on the whole front. The Bulgarians reached Aida Redoubt, westward of Adrianoplo. r l ho Turks fled in disorder, leaving 100 dead. Several advanced positions westw-rd of Adrianoplo were captured after furious fighting. The Turks are fleeing precipitately, leaving many killed. A FORGE ANNIHILATED. When the fighting was at the heaviest, a Turkish force made a sortee, but was annihilated.

SPYING THE LAND. Starting from Mustafa, an aerop ane made a flight in the direction of Adrianople. 'I no Turkish outpost, fai.cd to liit it, and after half an Hour’s reconnaisance the aeroplane returned in safety. BULGARIANS ADVANCING. Bulgarian troops occupied Vasi.iko, and are advancing along the coast towards Vist. AT NOVSBAZAR. Belgrade, October 23. It is officially stated that there has been severe fighting round the town of Novibazar, where ttie Servians occupy commanding heights. TURKS DESTROY BRIDGES. The Turks at Kumanp destroyed the chief bridge, and many smaller ones over the Maritza were also destroyed, but Servian sappers repaired them. The second Servian army has occupied Straenica, half a ay between Esgipi tanka and Knmanovo. CARGO OF CONTRABAND. Atnens, October 23. ■Greek torpedoes seized the British steamer Penjol with a cargo of contraband. Constantinople, October 23. The fleet returned to the Bosphorus, leaving the torpedo flotilla to blockade Bulgarian ports. BETHNAL GREEN SPEECH. (Received 24, 9.55 a.m.) London, October 23. Mr. Masterman. replying-to a question in tlio House of Commons, said his Bethnal Green speech had been distorted, as he carefully emphasised Britain’s strict neutrality. AFTER THE FIGHT. Paris, October 2°. The newspapers state that M. Poincare is directing diplomatic negotiations with the object of intervention in the Balkans after decisive opera tions have occurred.