Great Battle Imminent

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 137, 28 October 1912, Page 5

Great Battle Imminent

Pesslble Intervention of the Powers Victories of the Allies Conflicting Reports The Battle at Kirk Kllassie. Fall of Scutari Probable

<i News of the war is still of an intensely conflicting character, but it seems pretty certain that the Allies are having all the best of the interchange of hostilities, the Bulgarians having scored a notable victory at Kirk , Kilissia and followed this up by an attack on Adrianople, which promises to be successful. The Montenegrins are threatening Scutari. The Servians are still holding Novibazar, and the Greeks have added . further victories to their laurels. It is rumored that a great battle is imminent, and that possibly, after 1 its conclusion, the Great Powers may interfere with a view to preserving the autonomy of Turkey. There was a terrific struggle at Kirk Kilissia, and the Turkish losses are estimated at 16,000. The Turkish positions were stormed at the point of the bayonet, and the Bulgarian casualties were 5000. All the amies are experiencing some difficulties with regard to the commissariat and the munitions of war generally. The Turkish organisation is reported to he much inferior to that of the Allies, and the artillery of the Turks is also said to be gravely lacking, compared with that of her foes. Internal misrule and general political distrustfulness is causing a lack of enthusiasm in Turkey, but the priests and religious enthusiasts are at work stimulating the people. Even at Stamhoul the Turks are being forcibly enrolled, and those of them with wealth are paying for exemption from service. The Continental press says that the status quo has been shaken as a result of the battle of Kirk Kilissia, and that the Powers can no longer insist on . confining the Aallies to the former limits, but must accommodate themselves to revolutionary changes in the Near East. The Balkan League proposes that no State shall conclude peace singly. It adds that the primary aim of the war is to secure the Balkans for the Balkan people, and that the League favors the Triple Alliance, as it must always prove an obstacle to German expan«io*

THE POSITION AT SCUTARI. ITS CAPTURE IMMINENT. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Cettinje, October 25. The Montenegrins have secured the surrender of Scutari. They bombarded the town for a quarter of an hour without damaging it, and envoys proceeded to the town to negotiate for its surrender. The bombardment of Tarabosch continues. General Martinovics has captured the heights of Shiroka, a new point whence to shell Tarabosch.

A BULGARIAN STORY. Sofia, October 25. During the fighting at Arda on Tuesday 8000 Turks were attacked, and as they were retreating in disorder many threw themselves into the Maritza ana j were drowned, believeing that the Buli garians massacred prisoners. AUSTRALIA STANDING OUT. Melbourne, October 26. The Federal Government has issued a proclamation of neutrality in the Bulkan War. BATTLE OF KIRK KILISSIA. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, October 26. ' The Premier, commenting on the I Battle of Kirk Kilissia., says that the ] Allies have no intention of exterminat(ing the Turks. If the Powers are sincerely desirous of pacifying the Balkans, J peace can soon b'e concluded. THE FIGHT AT SCUTARI. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Cettinje, October 36. i The infantry quitted • the entrenehments and advanced orf Scutari till a I withering Turkish fire checked them. A ■ shell fell within ten yards of the Crown (Prince.

London, October 25. Later telegrams indicate a Montenegrin repulse at Scutari. Vienna, October 25. Vienna wires state that the fall of the town is imminent. They also state that the Balkan League intends to resist any attempts to deprive it of the fruits of conquest and to establish a confederacy with a Customs union. The Montenegrin army is within five miles of the Servians at Sienitza.

TWO STORIES OF A BATTLE. Constantinople, October 25. Zekki Pasha had his troops eschelloned on the plain of "Kumenovo, when he learned that a smaller Bulgarian force was endeavoring to make a junction with four Servian divisions. Zekki attacked, and the Servians fled in confusion, leaving a battery of artillery and a general's flag. Many were made prisoners, and many wounded. Meanwhile the Bulgarians attempted to make a diversion by means of a flank attack from the Kosiak mountains. Zekki thereupon turned his division round on the Bulgarians and captured four field guns.

In the event of the envoys' mission failing, preparations are being made to a ttack Scutari on three sides. The population is panic-stricken. General Vukolitch has subdued the Arnauts, and the road is now open to Ipek.

Received 26, 5.5 p.m. Belgrade, October 26. With the capture of Sientza the Servians claim to dominate the position. BATTLE OF NOYIBAZAR. . Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Belgrade, October 26. Reports of the battle at Novibazar narrate that the Turks were moving in the across the border, and the Servians barely reached a defensive position when the Arnauts and Turkish regulars opened a heavy fire. lighting continued for thirteen hours. Late in the afternoon the Turks were within fifteen yards, when the Servian commander ordered a bayonet charge. A thousand Turks were killed, The Servian losses were considerable,

Belgrade, October 25. Three divisions of Turks who were defending Kumanovo had a desperate battle. The TurkN'> artillery advanced, and attempted to destroy the Servian artillery, but was itself destroyed, and withdrew to Uskub in great disorder.

REVOLTING CRUELTIES. Athens, October 25. The King, Queen, Prince George and Princess Marie have gone to Larissa. The King intends to meet the Crown Prince of Servia. Fifteen thousand Turks in Janina have been cut off. There were heartrending sights when the Greeks entered Eerfidge. Seventy women and children were lying deaj on the doorsteps and in the courtyards, the position of the women indicating that they had tried to save their offspring. ORGANISING VICTORY. London, October 25. General von der Goltz bestowej much attention on Kirk Kilissia, and the entire Bulgarian general staff in 1911 spent sixteen days studying the ground in the district. The Times' Vienna correspondent says that quite late in the mobilisation the Bulgarians decided to. attack between the Maritza and Tunja instead of placing the bulk of their troops at Herrcanli, on the Adrianople line. The amended plan was a much bolder strategical conception, but involved grave risks, as the Turks could have attacked Mustafa Pasha. The Reichpost's account suggests that the Bulgarians believe Adrianople is weakest on the south.

. THE GREEK SUCCESSES. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. ' Athens, October 26. The Crown Prince and his staff attended' the funeral of seventy massacred Greeks. Six hundred prisoners have been .Rent ,to Greece. The Greek successes in the Sauantap'bros defile are attributed to the mobility of the troops and the long-range guns. THE TURKS ATTACKING. Received 27, 5.R p.m. Constantinople, October 26. The Turks assaulted Bamumaibala and captured a centre position. The Bulgarians retreated with considerable loss, j 5%e Turks at Dospat captured a Bulgarian battery. Fighting continues along the Adria-nople-Kirk Kilissia line. The Bulgarians are gaining some ground, and endeavoring to outflank the Turks and. cut off communication with Constantinople. The Turks' heavy artillery and night fire from the fort at Marash, west of

Adrianople, repulsed the Bulgarians with heavy loss. Sixty thousand fcnn the garrison at Adrianople, and a similar number are protecting the lines from Adrianople to Depleburgas. Tae whole Asiatic force is concentrating on Adrianople. MONTENEGRINS ACTIVE. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. London, October 20. The Central News Agency says that Muklitir Pasha and Prince Aboul Halim are prisoners at Kirk Kilissia. Vienna, October 26. The Montenegrins have silenced three batteries at Tarabosch. SEVERE TURKISH DEFEAT. Received 27, 5.5 p..m. Belgrade, October 26. Details of the fighting round Kurnanovo show that twenty-five thousand Turks were engaged. The conflict was continuous through Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday. The Crown Prince Alexander led the Servians, who captured twelve guns and an enormous supply of ammunition. It is reported that the Turks lost five thousand. NEW ZEALAND'S NEUTRALITY. Wellington, Last Night. A Government Gazette has been issued, proclaiming neutrality in respect to the war in the' Balkans. THE BATTLE OF KIRK KILISSIA. THE TOWN IN FLAMES. TERRIFLE STRUGGLE IN THE VINEYARDS. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. London. October 2G. The bombardment caused a conflagration at Kirk Kilissia. There was a terrific struggle in the vineyards to the northwards, where the Bulgarians entered. They were masters after an hour's street fighting, and pursued the retreating' Turks, whose losses were 10,000.

After several days' manoeuvring the Bulgarians completely surrounded that fflrce. Despite the Turkish courage the Bulgarians rushed earthworks after earthworks upon the fort that crowned the hill, leaving sheaves of dead as they made progress. Finally the Turkish cortege collapsed, and Kirk Kilissia fell, leaving plenty of evidence of the use of the sword and the bayonet. Many famished Turks were found in Kirk Kilissia, indicating inefficient transport. SERVTA'S SUCCESSES. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Belgrade, October 26. The Servians have captured Vuchitin. A GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT. TURKEY'S INFERIOR EQUIPMENT. Received 26, 5.5 p.m. London, October 20.

The Times reports that the Bulgarians' endeavor to cut off Abdullah's retreat on Constantinople was hampered by inefficient cavalry. Interest centres round Abdullah rather than round Nazim Pasha, who has assumed control. There are indications of a coming great battle. The Turks' organisation is inferior, and their artillery will not compare with that of the Allies'. She is also deficient in transport equipment and feeding arrangements, aud has a shortage of horses. The Rediff regiments are badly underofficered. It is rumored that there are grave differences between Nazim and Abdullah. THE TURKS DISHEARTENED. WORKING UP ENTHUSIASM. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. London, October 26. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent refers to the lack of Turkish enthusiasm, owing to misrule and distrustfulness between the Old and Young Turkish Parties.

The Asiatic reservists in recent months ordered to Albania, Tripoli and other parts have lost heart. The Howjas and priests are trying to work up some enthusiasm at Stamboul, but even there the Turks are being forcibly enrolled, and many of the wealthier are paying an exemption fee.

BULGARIAN SUCCESSES. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, October 26. The Bulgarians captured a railway sta% tion outside Adrianople, and three forts at Manash, with eighteen hundred prisoners. They hav« also taken Havaras, tc the north-west, and Sufiilar, to the north-east of the city. The Bulgarians have occupied Petchevo. SERVIAN VICTORIES. THE TURKS REPULSED. HEAVY FIGHTING. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Belgrade, October 2(5. The Turks began the offensive at Kumanavo, attacking the Servian positions five miles distant on Wednesday afternoon. The battlefield was shrouded with fog and dust. The Turkish onslaught was cheeked, and there was severe loss on both sides. At one in the morning the Servians approached the Turkish entrenchment and fought for two hours. At daylight the Servian artillery covered a general advance. The country is open, and they were exposed to a heavy fire, but nevertheless stormed the Turkish earthworks, repeatedly driving out the Turks in hand-to-hand combat. Many dropped their rifles and used

knives. The Servians, before noon, cleared the Liboukas Valley and Kumanovo, the Turks withdrawing for fifteen kilometres. The. Servian artillery annihilated three squadrons of cavalry. The Servians lost many officers killed. The 'Turkish officers wounded proved to be Germans.

Thj> Turks attempted to re-take Novibazar, but were practically annihilated. Constantinople, October 26.

Ahmed, a son of Mukhlar Pasha, the commander at Kirk Kilissia. has been taken prisoner. BULGARIA BUSY. FURTHER TURKISH DEFEATS. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, October 26. In the fighti.ig at Yurush, near Adrianople, the Turks lost 300 killed, and 500 were taken prisoners. They also lost three quickfirers and twelve ammunition waggons.

THE ADVANCE ON ADRIANOPLE.. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, October 26. . General Ivanoff is now completing the investment by linking up at Bosniakeui the forces from Aida and the Kirk Kilissia road. AT THE POINT OF THE BAYONET. A DESPERATE BATTLE. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, October 26. General SavofT. on Wednesday, peremptorily ordered General Dimitrieff to take Kirk Kilissia by Thursday morning. The troops advanced with alacrity in brilliant moonlight, and successive positions were stormed at the point of the bayonet, a form of warfare in which the Bulgarians excel. The position at ten in the morning was no longer tenable. Mukhtar, Abdul Halem, and a por. tion of the garrison had already escaped to Bunahissar with a considerable amount of material. At eleven o'clock the remnant of the garrison hoisted the white flag and surrendered. The Bulgarian casualties were 5000. Reports from Tirnovo show that the Turks fled before the Bulgarians arrived. The Turks were in a miserable plight, and had only rations of l'/o kilogrammes a head daily. The Bulgarians are pursuing the fugitives south, past Visa. The authorities regarded Kirk Kilissia as the Port Arthur of the war. It is estimated that it was garrisoned by 8000. while the outside support numbered 50,000.

EUROPEAN CRITICISE. THE VIEWS OF THE POWERS. Received 27. 5.5 p.m. Vienna, October 26. The fall of Kirk Kilissia and the demoralisation of the Turks has created a profound impression, influential newspaper? declare that the Powers' claim to Turkish integrity cannot be upheld. The Neue Freie Presse says that the status quo has been shaken, and the Powers cannot insist on confining the victors to the former limits. Der Zeit says that Europe nmss accommodate itself to revolutionary chariges in the Near East. The Foreign Office, through the Weiner Gazette, declares that Russia and Austria will inform the Balkan Kings at the right time that Turkey's integrity must not be touched. The Reichepost says that the status quo in the Balkans is dead, and no diplomatic skill can revive it. Austria lias neither the power nor the mission to prevent Turkey's eollopsc. The newspaper hopes that it will be possible to reconcile Austria's interests with the Balkan expectations.

THE VICTORIOUS GREEKS. FURTHER ATROCITIES. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Athens, October 26. After three days' fighting the Turks retired from their positions at KiafFa. The Greeks are marching on Philippiada and Strebina. A reconnaissance discovered the village of Koumtsades had been looted and young males killed by the Turks and Arnauts. Women and children were fearfully outraged. Eight hundred additional Cretan volunteers have arrived. Fighting continues near Pinte Pigadhia, southwards of Janina. The Crown Prince entered Kozani unopposed. The Turks subsequently attacked the town, but were repulsed. THE BALKAN LEAGUE. FAVORS THE TRIPLE ENTENTE. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. London, October 26. The Balkan League proposes that no State shall conclude peace singly. Balkan diplomatists describe t the primary aim of the war is to secure the Balkans for the Balkan people, adding that the League is favorable to the interests of the Triple Entente, inasmuch as it will always prove an obstacle to Germanic expansion.

THE POWERS TO INTERVENE. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, October 26. Official quarters express' the belief that the Powers will intervene after the first decisive battle. Athens, October 26. The inhabitants of Kozhanic welcomed the Greek cavalry brigade. General Dragoumis, the Greek Gover-nor-General of Crete, received a great ovation at Canea. THE CAPTURE OF USKUI, SPOILS TO THE VICTORS. Received 28, 12.30 a.m. London, October 27. The Servians have occupied Uskub. The Servian spoil at Kiunanovo included fifty field guns, six mountain guns, and sixteen mitrailleuses.' The Bulgarian's booty at Kirk Kilissia was fifty-eight guns and two aeroplanes.

HELP FROM INDIA. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. Simla, October 26. The Moslems in the chief centres of India, including Delhi and Bombay, have subscribed £15,000 for the Red Crescent Fund to assist the Turks. A BIG BATTLE. Received 28, 12.30 a.m. London, October 27. The turning movement at Visa continues, and a big battle has been progressing all day. Belgrade, October 27. The capture of Uskub was not resisted. The Consuls have requested the Crown Prince commanding the victorious army to protect the inhabitants. The Servian spoil at Stiritiza included thirteen field guns and nine motors. Berlin, October 27. The Lokal Anzeiger's Staragoza correspondent reports that Ukli tar's retreat has been cut off.