THE BALKAN WAR

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 83, 3 December 1912, Page 5

THE BALKAN WAR

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright., (United Press Association.) London, December 3. The signing of the protocol lias been postponed for forty-eight hours. It provides for an eight days’ armistice, and belligerents are required to provision beleagured towns. _ The protocol was postponed to enable the Greek delegates to obtain au - thority to sign it. it provides for 48 hours’ notice of the resumption of hostilities in the event of tue negotiations breaking down. Paris, December 2. The Triple Alliance has agreed to the principle of the conference, but says that it should meet in a neutral capital. This necessitates the appoint ment of special plenipotentiaries, instead of utilising the Ambassadors at a major capital, which was a feature of tho proposal. Tho Vienna Press considers that the climax of the crisis has passed. The ‘Neuo Freie Presse’ says that the Turkish peace delegates rejected the allies’ demands for a cession of the Albanian coast from Montenegro to Durazzo. Inspired journals assert that Aus tria does not object to Servia using an Adriatic port under Albanian sovereignty.

MONTENEGRIN OPERATIONS. Cettinje, December 2. King Nicholas is personally directing the Montenegrins. General Vukovitch has been appointed Chief ol Staff. This is interpreted to mean that hitherto the Montenegrin forces lacked organisation. Their operations are not what they might have been. The Servians state that the Monteue grins rejected an offer of assistance at Scutari. Information from various sources severe Servian rearguard reprisals on confirms the rumours that there were the march to the Adriatic. London, December 3. Kurdish women are aiding their husbands in tho trenches. ADRIANOPLE’S SUPPLIES. London, December 2. The provisioning of Adrianople rais es the query: Who is to do it? The surrounding country has been practically devastated, and the supplies can only come from Constantinople. This will necessitate the Bulgarians eon- . ceding the use of tho railways. VIOLATING THE WHITE FLAG. London, December 2. One hundred and thirty Bulgarians captured Dedeagatch. A shot from a mosque flying the white flag killed a Bulgarian" leader, and a massacre ensued. The mosque was demolished by bombs. The Turkish quarter was pillaged, and 500 Moslems shot on sight. The Bulgarians only lost four throughout the advance from Neurokop.

TURKS OPPOSED TO PEACE. London, December 2. ‘The Telegraph’s’ Constantinople correspondent says that the Turkish army is bitterly opposed to peace, ex cept the senior officers, who recognise the futility of continuing the war. A HUGE INDEMNITY. London, December 2. 4 The ‘Daily Mail’s’ Solia correspond ent says that the allies intend to demand an indemnity of £48,000,000, lie sides the surrender of all territory except Constantinople and the Dardanelles coast. , .. SERYJA’S POSITION-.« .... ... 'irv v “ ■ '’• . a •- Belgrade, December 2. The Press Bureau lias issued a com munique, stating that it is the opinion in authoritative circles that, owing to the attitude of the Powers on the Albanian question, Servia’s stand point is no longer opportune, and hei interests would be better served by yielding. Herr von Bethmann-Hartwig, inter viewed, said that Russia always coun selled Servian moderation, and greatly desired peace to be maintained. Athens, December 2. A remarkable scene occurred at Durazzp when news that the Servians were ’ outside the town was received. The shops were closed and the streetdeserted. The poplace Hocked in foi miles, and met and cheered the army. (Received 10.0 a.m.) Salonika, December 2. The foreign attaches unstintedly praise the Servian infantry, and state that' while the artillery is excellent, the cavalry is mediocre.

MACEDONIA MASSACRES. Macedonia is being drenched with tli© blood of the innocents, duo to the withdrawal of the Bulgarian regulars to Trace, leaving the conquered territory to the mercy of auxiliaries. Enormous and indiscriminate slaughter has occurred in the Avrethissar district, where there is scarcely a Moslem left alive.

The Armenians who joined the Bulgarians are responsible for the Kavala massacre, the leader whereof was re venged by the massacre of his family At Adana, the Servians have a bet ter record, while no massacres are re corded against the .Greeks, who con trolled the auxiliaries effectively.

Sofia, December 2. In consequence of a bomb arrangement at Karaquach barracks, near Adrianople, the station was set ablaze and the conflagration spread to 'buildings in the vicinity. Constantinople, December 2. The Turkish Foreign Minister states that negotiations have been con fined to the question of an armistice though he believes peace was assured. Two thousand five hundred deserter* and derelicts quartered at Sofia ar«. mostly clamouring for food and water. Fifty die daily from cholera and dysentry. Over 80,000 fresh Asian troops have arrived at Chataldja, where tiro Bulgarians are entrenching six miles west of the Turkish positions. (Received 10.15 a.m.) London, December 2. Mr. Bennett Burleigh states that from Mustafapasha two aviators biplaned over Adrianople, and observer, that the Selin Mosque and most of the important buildings were not damaged The Turks fired a shell from a gunboat, and just missed the aeroplane.

GERMANY’S ATTITUDE. Berlin, December 2. The Chancellor says that Germane will fight if another’ Bower intervene; between Servia and Austria. He also states that the Powers are exchanging views, and there is every prospect oi success. It will only he known how the Great Powers are affected when the Balkan Allies have arranged tin; terms themselves. Germany intended to maintain the policy of friendship towards Turkey, hut she would strengthen her relations with the Bal kan ‘States, especially in the econo mic field. If forced to fight on Aus-

tria’s behalf, the whole of the German people would be behind them. Salonika, December 2. Thirty thousand refugees from Macedonia are being succoured by the Greeks.