Blaze in the Balkans

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 136, 26 October 1912, Page 5

Blaze in the Balkans

Bulgaria's Bold Tactics The Battle at Kirk Kilassie. Further Successes of the I reeks Turkey in Parlous Straits

The Bulgarians have scored another success near Adr'ianople, having routed the Turks, after a severe fight, on the heights of Chatalja and Arda. The result of the Kirk Kilissia engagement was greeted .with immense delight in Sofia, where a popular demonstration was held. The Turks lost a large quantity of ammunition and food supplies. The Greeks are continuing their victorious campaign,,,and have hemmed in a large body of Turks on the mountains near Serfije. . . ■; . ■■.

HARD FIGHTING.

instigated by Russia,' whita England is credited with playing for Crete, or at least Suda Bay. ) POWDER HELD UP. .<. Vienna,; October 24. It is reported that the delivery of twenty-eight truck-loads of powder for Bulgaria has been stopped. A telegram from Serajevo states that the Montenegrins have'burned Plevije. MARTL4L LAW IN FORCE. Sofia, October 24. The railway accident in Smyrna is attributed to Macedonian emissaries sent ) to Asia Minor to impede the despatch of Asiatics. A Red Cross hospital nurse has been shot for having sold information to the Turks, also a Government official, who gave !f. receipt for 40 tons of cheese, when he had bought only 30 tone.

TURKISH ADVANCE DELAYED. By Cable—Press Association— Copyright., London, October 24. The Times' correspondent states that 230,000 Turks will concentrate in Thrace. The organisation of transport requires time, hence the main body is two or three marches south of the present fighting. The advanced line has been given the mission of delaying the advance of the enemy, and has apparently proved j successful, though much outnumbered.

On Tuesday Sterazgosa correspondents state that the districts of Raslog and Djumaibala were entirely in the hands of Bulgarians. A number have been detached for 'the purpose of repelling further Turkish attacks on the Black Sea ports. Mr. Burleigh, the English war correspondent, states that the Turks have been steadily repulsed. Their gun fire is indifferent.

Constantinople and Xazim Pasha newspaper correspondents have gone to the front. There was heavy fighting between Adrianople and Kirk. Kilissia throughout the day, and a decisive result was not expected until Thursday evening. Both sides showed the utmost bravery and determination. The Turks in the Arda redoubt took the offensive early on Tuesday to drive off the Bulgarians who were advancing east of Tunga river. The Bulgarians attacked the Turks at Kalemansia, west of Adrianople, and the fighting continues.

THE KIRK KILISSIA FIGHT. Received 25,. 3.3D p.m. Constantinople, October 24. The retreat from Kirk Kilissia is officially admitted. THE SERVIANS ROUTED. Constantinople, October 24. Mr. E. Ashmed Bartlett, the Telegraph correspondent, says that Zekki Pasha and 30,000 troops routed four divisions of Servians north of Kumanova. ATTACK ON ADRIANOPLE. A BULGARIAN VICTORY. Received 25, JO.IO p.m. Vienna, October 25. The Reichpost, whose correspondent seems to be accompanying the Bulgarians on their march, states that General WanofFs first army on Tuesday commenced attacking the outworks of Adrianople. Other divisions attacked the heights of Chatalja and Arda on Wednesday. The Turks showed great bravery, but were repulsed, though well supported by artillery. The Bulgarian quickfirers mowed down whole detachments.

The Bulgarian cavalry at Malkojalas attempted to rush a position at Adrianople, hut were driven off, with great loss. BULGARIAN SUCCESS. CAPTURE OF KIRK KILISSIA. Sofia, Octoher 24. Kirk Kilissia has heen captured. The Turks, at yesterday's sortie at Adrianople, lost twelve guns. The Bulgarians are now within three to five miles of the fortress, and are fortifying their position. London, October 24. There was a garrison of 50.000 at Kirk Kilissin, with many Krupp guns and much ammunition. The town was captured after a succession of assaults. Constantinople, October 24. Mukhtar Pasha, son of the Grand Vizier, was defending Kirk Kilissia. There lias been continuous rain throughout the seat of war.

FIGHTING AT KUMANOVO. London, October 24. Reports have been received that desperate fighting is proceeding at Kumanovo. Both sides claim victories. Great slaughter occurred at Novibazar. GERMAN BANK RATE. Berlin, October 24. The Berlin hank rate is 5 per cent. CAPTURE OF PRISONERS. Sofia, October 24. The Bulgarians captured two guns at Mehomia and hundreds of prisoners north-east of Adrianople. Kirk Kilissia, with a garrison, of 50,000, including two Pashas, has been captured. Sofia, October 24. The report that 50,000 prisoners were captured at Kirk Kilissia requires confirmation. The official report states that a battery of quick-firers was captured and many prisoners taken. The Turks are retiring in disorder to the south-east. A SERVIAN VICTORY. I Belgrade, Octolier 24. A portion of the Servian Army entered Kumanova after the annihilation of the batteries. PORTE RAISING FUNDS. Constantinople. October 24. The Porte has raised the import duties to 14 per tent.

OPTNTON TN fIEPMANY. London. October 21. The Bulgarian Legation states that 5000 Macedonians have taken refuge is Bulgaria, alleging as the cause th« mas-' sacres and burnings which n-re taking plase. The Pall Mall Gazette's Berlin correspondent says that German opinion strongly sides with the Turks, as it i views the allies as a pcrcol of ratdits

DiminiJT's army, which is massed oast and west of Tirnova, was also attacked. THE KTRK KTLISSIA BATTLE. A POPULAR DEMONSTRATION. Reeeived 25, 10.30 p.m. Sofia, October 25. The Turks have retired to Bunarhissar, twenty-five kilometres south-east, leaving sixteen ammunition waggons and much food. The first report from Kirk Kilissia caused vast crowds of demonstrators bearing flags of the Allies to march to the Palace and the Legations. A party of scouts headed the procession. M. Panis, the Greek Minister, was carried shoulder high.

THE BULGARIAN VICTORIES. MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMIES. Reeeived 25, 11.15 p.m. London, October 25. The Chronicle's Starazagora correspondent says that twelve hundred Turks were captured at Kirk Kilissia, and also some Krupp quickfirers. The Turks fought a rearguard action, in which the Bulgarians were also victorious. Constantinople, October 25. It is officially explained that three army corps have commenced an offensive movement east of Tunja, with a view to forcing the Bulgarians to deploy and disclose their strength. The movement was unsuccessful because the army encountered' the main army, which had a left covering force at Adrianople, while attempting to work to the rear and menace Constantinople. The advance column attempted to surprise the Bulgarians, but when it was found that they were in full strength they did not persist, and retired to the south.

THE VIGOROUS GREEKS. HEMMING IN THE TURKS. ' " Received 25, 11.15 p.m. Athena, October 25. Twenty-two thousand Turks, under General Rizabey, have been driven by the victorious Greeks to Serfije, and arc now hedged on the east cliffs of Mount Para, west of the icy torrent of Haliak-

It has now teen decided to fall back on Babeski, near Luleburgas, where seven army corps are concentrated. Four more reserves are in course of forma tioi nearer Constantinople. The garrison of the array corps has left Adrianople. If th» Bulgarians refuse the offensive with Nazira Pssha's farces, a. general engagement \rtll fee held north of Adria»opl*. The on Kirk Kilissia was pursly strategical, . to enable Nazim's units to concentrate.

The war correspondents have arrived at Babaeski.