Progress of the Balkan War

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 65, 9 November 1912, Page 5

Progress of the Balkan War

TURKS STILL CONFIDENT.

WILL FIGHT ON.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.,

(United Press Association.) Constantinople, November 8. Public opinion is hostile to the Government’s proposal for mediation by the Powers.

Nazim Pasha has informed the Government that the army is determined to light to the last, being confident of its ultimate success. The principal officers have signed a memorial to the Grand Vizier in favour of continuance of the war. The rains have transformed the plains round Chataldja into a morass. Transport is difficult. It will probably be several days before the contestants again meet.

SCENES OUTSIDE SALONIKA. Distressing scones are being enacted outside the walls of Salonika, where crowds of destitute refugees from ah parts of the country are seeking help. The authorities are sending as many as possible to Asia Minor. The Ambassadors of five Powers had a collective meeting with the Grand Vizier. It is understood that they discussed measures for ensuring public safety. The disinterested attitude of the Triple Entente, after proclaiming their adherence to the status quo ante helium, has created disappointment in official circles.

“DISGRACE TO CHRISTENDOM.’’

London, November 8. The ‘Daily Telegraph’s’ correspondent with the Greek army at Epirus, after personal investigation of the Turkish outrages, declares: “If Christian Europe gives this land back into Turkish hands it will be an act of barbarity and a drisgrace to Christendom.”

SURRENDER OF ADRIAMOPLE.

London, November 8. The ‘Daily Mail’s’ correspondent with the Bulgarians reports that Adrianople surrendered on Tuesday. The Bulgarians are concealing the fact, lest the Powers intervene before the capture of Constantinople.

NEAR CONSTANTINOPLE.

Vienna, November 8

The ‘Reichpost’ reports a battle along the Chataldja line. The third Bulgarian army is advancing south of Derkos. It has captured the position outside Fort Delijunus, one of Chataudja’s defences, twenty-six miles from Constantinople. MONTENEGRINS’ PROGRESS.

Cettinje, November 8. The Montenegrins have occupied Diakova.

SERVIANS ROUT THE TURKS.

Belgrade, November 8. The Servian column advancing on Dibra routed 15,000 Turks, who retired to Krushevo with heavy loss, and are now fleeing towards Dibra.

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. Berlin, November 8. The, visit of Signor Sangiulano, the Italian Forengn Minister, is regarded as setting the seal on the Triple Alliance’s agreement on the line of action to be followed in the Balkans. It is believed that the Alliance will firmly resist Servin’s acquiring Adriatic ports. The ‘Frankfurter Zeitung( says an Austro-Italian agreement exists guaranteeing the integrity and independence of Albania, whereon Austria and Italy can count on Germany’s support. Servia’s desire for a harbour can be gratified on the Aegean coast, with less danger. ,

MAHOMMEDANS EXASPERATED, Calcutta, November 8. The Lucknow Mahommedans are exasperated with Sir Edward Grey’s speech, which they interpret as antiMoslem. RETREAT OF THE TURKS. (Received 9.25 a.m.) Vienna, November 8. The ‘Reichpost’ reports that the Nazims'(regular) army vigorously de fended both sides. General Cherkesskeui counter-attacked the first Bulgarian army’s centre at Uzunhadzi, thirteen miles northward of Chorlu, but was outflanked and almost annihilated. Thereupon the whole Turkish front retreated, and the third Bulgarian army advanced in several columns, one traversing Kastania, another Ormanli (westward of Derkos Lake), and all converging, captured Telijunus. A portion of the first army was successful in advancing upon Na It a silicon i and Akbunar, both northward of Nadepdceui, the two southernmost columns operating against Bugukchekmeje.

After the Turks were expelled from the heights near Chataldja fighting began along the whole front.

Constantinople, November 8. General Vali at Adnanoplo reported that he had inflicted, on Wednesday, severe losses on the besiegers to the westward of the town. Athens, November 8. The Crown Prince detached a large force from the support of the division entrenched at Banitza, so as to continue operations against Monastir. Belgrade, November 8. The Servian losses in the two days’ battle preceding the surrender of Prilop was heavier than the Turks.

Servia has informed the Powers that she intends to gain access to tlio Adriatic.

THE WAR JUSTIFIED.

Sydney, November 9. The Bishop of Bathurst, defending his expressed wish that the Bowers should not intervene in the Balkans and allow the belligerents to fight it out from the charge of an unchristianliko utterance, justifies the Balkan allies’ efforts to free themselves from cruel oppression. “All honour to them, and all good success lie theirs,” is his view.

PEPORTED PEACE PROPOSAL.

(Roceived 10.45 a.m.) Berlin, November 9

The ‘Kolnisclie Zeitung’ states that it is reported at Sofia that the Porte has proposed to Bulgaria to negotiate for peace without the Powers’ mediation.

Newspaper correspondents complain that the Servians do not permit them to go to the front, hence their inahiliy to deny the stories (which are pro-

hahly exaggerated) of the wholesale extermination of Anmuts. Athens, November 9. The Greek army have occupied Salonika.

London, November 9

Five hundred Greeks have arrived from Canada, and' are proceeding to the front.

TURKEY “DRYING UP.”

Up till the year 1820 affairs continued generally prosperous with the Turks, but wonderful changes have taken place since then. The following details are of interest:— IS2U to 1827.—Creeco-Turkish war. The intervention of the Powers on behalf of Greece, and, in 1830, Greece acknowledged by Turkey as an independent kingdom. 1821.—Cholera swept away about 100,000 people in Bussora, Bagdad, Syria, and Egypt. 1825. —30,000 troops (the Janizaries, the flower of the Turkish Army) massacred in Constantinople. 1828.—Russo-Turkisli War. The granting of self-government to Moldavia, Wallachia and Servia.

1829 to 1842. —French invasion of Algeria, and the ' annexation of that country by France. 1832.—Mehemet Ali, _ Governor of Egypt, rebelled .After numerous successes the Powers intervened, and he was ordered to return to Egypt. 1853.—The Crimean War. Though a victory for Turkey, she accumulated a heavy debt. 1877.—Russo-Tnrkish War, resulting in the complete loss of Roumaiua, Servia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Armenia, Batenin, and other places. Cypress was ceded to England, and the right to land troops in Asia Minor was granted to England. 1882. —Rebellion in Egypt, and Britain's occupation of that territory. 1883. —Tunis annexed by France. 1895 and 1896.—Terrible massacres of Armenians.

1897.—Greco-Turkish War, out of which Turkey, the’victor, gained nothing. 1911.—Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria. 1911 and 1912.—Xtalian-Turkish Tripolitan War. Tripoli gained by Italy. Fire and earthquake, and now the Balkan War.