Progress of the Balkan War

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 76, 22 November 1912, Page 5

Progress of the Balkan War

TURKS’ BETTER FIGHTING SPIRIT,

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, November 21. Mr. Douohoe, the ‘Chronicle’s’ correspondent,, says that both, sides wore exhausted after the fearful artillery duel. It is probable that the Bulgarians’ attack was merely a reconnaissance in force to test the vulnerability of the Turkish works. The Turks displayed a better lighting spirit than hitherto. The infantry wore admirable in their steadiness. A finer class of Turkish reserves is now in the fighting line. Both sides sustained great losses. The Turkish wounded are new being served decently by an ambulance corps. ’They are streaming into Hademkeiii. In Sunday’s contest the warships prevents the Bulgarians turning the Turkish left. Lak.o Bujukehemeje is too deep and too wide for pontooning. The only passage for the Bulgarians is by means of a narrow stone bridge close to the seashore. The warships destroyed the bridge after two days’ shelling.

CHOLERA AND DYSENTERY

ADD TO THE MISERY OF WAR.

London, November 21. Mr. Douohoe, continuing his report, states that the Bulgarians, under cover of the darkness on Saturday, pushed their infantry forward within striking distance of the Turkish left. The Bulgarians dug themselves into cover and held on, firing in the face of a heavy fire. The Bulgarian artillery burst their shells with fine precision over the Turkish redoubts, entailing heavy loss. While one section shelled the redoubts, another .sought: to destroy the 'Turkish infantry reserves, a favourite Bulgarian movement, which was brilliantly successful at Lnleburgas. One redoubt was smothered, the shell lire of six shrapnels bursting simultaneously. It was impossible to judge the success of the Turkish fire, owing to the haze enveloping the valley. Several warships at Bujukchekmeje pounded at t*he Bulgarians on the heights. Several shells struck the village, which burst into flames while the Bulgarians were shelling the redoubts. The Turks are dying like flies from cholera and dysentery. The rear army is dotted with isolation camps, where stricken soldiers, food less and waterless, and without medical attondan e, implore Allah to end their sufferings. A few fatigue parties ring shallow graves continguous to the tents of the living, and buried a percentage of the dead.

TURKISH SUCCESS.

London, November 21. In Monday’s iignt it appeared as if the concave formation of the Turkish formation was about to be broken in the centre, isolating the wings, while the Bulgarian wedge advanced on the main road to Constantinople, but fortune favoured the Turks, the Bulgars being unable to hold .the advanced positions which they stormed at such heavy cost. They fell bade, the Turks vigorously shelling the retreaters and occupying the redoubts.

TERMS OF PEACE.

Constantinople, November 21. Heavy firing was heard yesterday, probably duo to the warships being unaware of'the truce, which expires today. If the allies’ terms are accepted, Nazira Pasha ahd s Geiferal 'Fitfhetf have been instructed to arrange for an armistice. The allies’ terms iodide the surrender of Adrianople, Scutaii, .>anina, and all Turkish territory now in the allies’ possession and occupation. The Forte suggested that the Towers should withdraw their naval contingents, asserting that they were no longer required. The Ambassadors and Foreign Ministers met and decided not to alter the present position.

ALBANIA’S AUTONOLVIY.

London, November 21. The ‘Daily Mail’s’ Sofia correspondent says that the allies have definitely abandoned the partition of Albania and consented to autonomy.

FURTHER CHOLERA OUTBREAK.

Constantinople, November 21. Cholera and typhoid have broken put among the Bulgarians at Rodosto and Silvrie. It is believed that the quartering of cholera patients in the mosque of St. Sophie has been done to prevent the enemy entering it and celebrating the entry with a To Ueum.

BLAMING THE POWERS.

Kiamil Pasha indicts the Powers for not promptly communicating the demand for an armistice, causing the loss of thousands of lives. The Powers’ hesitation compelled Turkey to approach King Ferdinand directly. Kiamil asks: “Do the Powers distinguish that we arc Moslems in defeat, as well as in victoryf If so, what becomes of Heir professions of humanity and justice?” Belgrade, November 21. It is semi-olliciaily announced that the Government will not place any difficulty in the way of an Austrian representative proceeding to Prizrer.d to communicate with the Consulate. Sofia, November 20. The Turkish successes at Chataldja are officially denied.

Belgrade, November 23. The latest reports show that the Turks at Alonastir did not surrender, but fled in all directions. The newspapers demand an enquiry into the origin of the report that 40,000 prisoners were taken.

GENERAL ITEMS.

Athens, November 21. 1 Eight hundred wounded have arrived from Salonika. . A Russian cruiser has hastily sailed for Jaffa, consequent on a report of massacre of Christians. A band of Macedonians ambushed 'SOO Turkish regulars in the Janina district, killing 21, and wounding 77. ThoJ rest fled. Calcutta, November 21. ' A hundred thousand Moslems are as-; sembled at Maidan to offer intercessory prayers for the Sultan. There aim similar gatherings throughout India. (Received 10.10 a.m.) Constantinople, November g.l It is officially stated that the Port*, rejected Bulgaria's terms and ordered .Nazim Pasha to resume operations. 1 in* Bulgarians captured Angus Hamilton, the ‘Central News’ correspondent at Cliataldja. Athens, November 21. The Creeks occupied Ekniua and intercepted the retreat ef the -Monastic army’s rearguard. Creek, Bulgarian, and Servian oflleers at Salonika are wara'dy fraternising at public fetes. MORE ATROCITIES. Vienna, Novem her 21. The ‘Reielipost’ states that the Sor-

via ns refused io a.low A\ agner to investigate the Proelmska affair. Wagner heard a Red (Tins ('odor narrate stories of the incredible barbarities, '['he Servians refused quarter to the Albanians, whether armed or unarmed ; women and children were mercilessly killed. , . General Stefanovich had the Albanians captured at Kratove formed into two ranks and shot down wit'i a machine gun. The General said: “We must extirpate these favourites oi Austro-Hungary.” General Zivkovich ordered the Albanian and Turkish notables to be killed at. Sjinica.