The Irresistible Allies

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 145, 6 November 1912, Page 5

The Irresistible Allies

Marching on Constantinople, Salonika and Motiastir Fears of Massacre of Christians Whole Turkish Division Annihilated

STORY OF THE BIG BATTLE. MR. DONOHOE CONTINUES HIS THRILLING NARRATIVE. A FIERCE STRUGGLE. WHOLE TURKISH DIVISION ANNIHILATED. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Received 5, 9.20 p.m. London, November 5. Mr. Martin Donohoe, the Daily Chroni-'. cle's war correspondent, continuing his I report of the fighting at Luleburgas,' says that after the Bulgarian wedge had j been driven in between the several wings, I Mukhtar Pasha (commander of one of, the armies) retreated in tolerably good order, fiercely contesting the ground, losing heavily and sacrificing men cheerfully in the hope of giving the shattered half of the Turkish army a, chance of re-forming at Chorlu. Mukhtar Pasha's reaTguard action was magnificent. The third division was annihilated. For five hours they stood their ground ready to die, as the Bulgarians found to their cost whcfa they flung themselves on the Turkish bayonets, a heap of Bulgarian dead covering the ground in front of the third division for half a mile—grim testimony to the fierceness. of the struggle. The remainder of the shattered legions of Abdullah Pasha (Commander-in-Chief) wandered across Thracian fields leaderless and hungry, towards Chorlu. Hundreds perished from their wounds, starvation arid cold. Men dropped senseless from fatigue, and froze to death. Abdullah Pasha himself was in no better plight than the humblest soldier. He arrived at Chorlu foodless. Abdullah attributes the Bulgarian success largely to their efficient intelligence department and superior artillery. For a month Thrace was overrun by Bulgarian spies. Excellent maps were prepared, so that the artillery took up positions at pre-ascertained ranges. In their preparations the Bulgarians displayed the finesse of the Japanese. • Abdullah knew the Turkish army was a colossus, with feet of clay, but did not shirk his drty. Already he is earmarked as the national scapegoat. The broken army is crawling up the steep, rocky slopes of Chorlu, over its wide plateau and down on the other side across the stony valley towards Chatalja, not many miles from the capital., The Bulgarian cannon are roaring in the rear. Insatiable death takes hourly toll, the track being paved with dying. Mr. Donohoe goes on to says that again the enemy have shown marvellous celerity in pursuing the advance guard, ; they never being far from the rear. The defence of Chatalja, from which much was expected, is likely, when subjected to the strain, to prove a delusion. Nothing short of the Powers' intervention (adds the correspondent) will prevent King Ferdinand's entry into Constantinople. THE MARCH ON CONSTANTINOPLE. REINFORCEMENTS FOR BULGARIANS. Received 5, 10.30 p.m. Vienna, November 5. The Reichspost says that 40,000 Servians are pushing forward to strengthen the Bulgarians at Advianople, to enable the latter to join in the march to Constantinople. The previous engagements made serious gaps in the Bulgarians' forces, and these require to be filled ill order to permit of the march oil Constantinope being the triumph which the victorious army demands. REVERSE FOR MONTENEGRINS. Received 5, 10.30 p.m. Vienna, November 5. It is reported that the Montenegrins were unable to hold Tarabosch, being dislodged, but leaving several guns which they disabled. The Montenegrins burned the Mohammedan villages at Mossi Missolini, which was repeatedly attacked. The lurks

AUSTRIA PERTURBED. WARNING UTTERED. * | Received 6, 11.5 p.m. Vienna, November 5. The newspapers, discussing Servian aspirations to secure a port in the Adriatic, declare that Austria will not tolerate any shifting of power which will I threaten her rule over the eastern Adriatic and block her access to the Aegean Sea. PURGING EUROPE, j WHAT THE WAR MAY DO. '- , l I - I Received 5, 9.30 p.m. London, November 5. Mr. F. Acland (Financial Secretary for War), speaking at Edmonton, said he was hopeful that the outcome of the war would leave Europe easier than it had been for hundreds of years, and produce an amelioration in the government of great populations. There was nothing in the situation at present to render that impossible. BATTLEFIELD COVERED WITH DEAD. TURKISH ARMY IN RETREAT. REACH SALONIKA IN DISORDER. Receiver 5, 11.20 p.m. Athens, November 5. The Turks defeated at Gendije consisted of a Serres division of 25,000, with 30 guns. The field in the vicinity was covered with dead. The roads towards Salonika are strewn with equipment. The Turkish army reached Salonika in complete disorder. FURTHER ATROCITIES. THE UNSPEAKABLE TURK. Received 5, 11.20 p.m. 5 Athens, 5. At Satitisu, near Kozani, the Turks pillaged the monastry of the Virgin, cut a monk into piece, impaled a three-year-old child, and massacred many inhabitants. VESSEL BLOWN UP BY A MINE. ] CONTROL OF AEGEAN ISLANDS. Received 6, 12.40 a.m. Athens, November 5. A Greek merchantman struck a mine . in Salonika harbor, and was blown up close to the Austrian warships. The Chronicle's Geneva correspondent states that a secret clause in the TurkoItalian treaty was to the effect that Italy holds the Aegean Islands during the Balkan War, and will not yield possession until Turkey requests her. POSITION NOT DESPERATE. AN ARMISTICE IMPRACTICABLE. Received 6, 12.40 a.m. Paris, November 5. The Porte has notified the Ottoman Ambassadors that the position is not desperate, though embarrassing. M. Poincare, replying to a request, says it is imposs'ible to establish an armistice, which would shatter the Allies' plan and give Turkey time to reorganise. He is willing to examine a definite peace offer. Le Temps says that Russia, France and Britain have set aside interests which might well have taken territorial form, whilst Austria's silence renders mediation impossible. CAPTURE OF TURKISH ARTILLERY, TURKS GIVE UP IMPREGNABLE POSITION. Received C, 12.40 a.m. Belgrade, November 5. It i§ estimated that the Servians captured two-thirds of the Ottoman artil 1 lery. An examination proves that the Turks held almost an impregnable position at Katchanik Pass, a fact which proves the demoralisation of the Turks, they yielding before scarcely a shot was fired.

scored a small success. FAILURE OF TURKS' COMMISSA RIAT. SUPERIORITY OF TITE CRUESOT OVER KHUPP GUN. Received 5, 9.30 p.m. Constantinople, November 5. According to reliable accounts, the Turkish right was meeting with much success, but the commissariat failed. Bad weather prevented reinforcements landing at the Turkish base at Midia (in the Black Sea); consequently Mukhtar Pasha was compelled to sacrifice the advantage he gained throughout the campaign. The Turkish artillery officers are amazed at the superiority of the Creusot over the Krupp guns. MASSACRES FEARED. Received 5, 10.30 p.m. Constantinople, November 5. Hostility towards Europeans is increasing, particularly among the lower classes. Some of the workmen's guilds openly boast that they have taken a vow to massacre every Christian if the Bulgarians enter Constantinople, or Roumelia is severed from Turkey. The police prevented an armed gang from marching against the European quarters. NEWS OF A TERRIBLE MASSACRE. Received 5, 10.30 p.m. , Constantinople, November 5. The Greek patriarch lias received in formation of a terrible massacre at Ro dozto. SERVIANS SPREADING OUT. Received 5, 9.30 p.m. Uskub, November 5. The third Servian army is advanein; westward towards Dupazzo (a port oi the Adriatic). Another division, unde General Zircovich, from Novibazar, i: approaching Scutari to help the Monte neguins.

AN UNSUCCESSFUL SORTIE. Received G, 12.40 a.m. Sofia, November 5. Twenty battalions of Turks on Sun day, supported by artillery, made sorties on both banks of the Maritza river, wesl of Adrianople. The Bulgarians, by a vigorous counter-attack, drove back the enemy to their fortress, inflicting heavj losses. RUSSIAN WARSHIPS WAITING. Received 6, 12.40 a.m. I Odessa, November 5. Eleven Russian warships are at tin entrance to the Bosphorous, awaitinj orders. ADRIANOPLE WEAKENING. . FRIGHTFUL ATROCITIES. THE CARNAGE AT LULEBURGAS. Vienna, November 4. 1 The Reichspost says that the activit; - of the garrison at Adrianople is dirnin idling. The Bulgarians hope soon t transfer the heavy siege guns to Clin taldja. The Bashi-Bazouks were guilty c frightful atrocities in the region soutl ward of Babaeski. Newspapers' correspondents at Chorl were imperilled. The general opinion at Sofia est mates that 20,000 Turks were killo and wounded at Luleburgas. The Bu garians, during the past few days, ha 20,000 wounded. It is officially state that 4000 were killed. ,T Constantinople, November 4. The anxiety is increased by the a rival of hosts of fugitives in a mo; pitiable state of destitution. The mil tary is requisitioning the bread, tl ' sale of which to the public is forbiddc ' until the afternoon.

BULGARIANS ADVANCING. MARCHING ON SALONIKA. Sofia, November 4. The Bulgarians, after some fierce fighting, captured the Buk railway station, eastward of Drama, thus severing the Turkish communications from Macedonia with Adrianople. The Turks attacked the Bulgarians in the Bunarhissar district on Friday, but were routed, five officers and 1300 men, with a quick-firing battery, being captured. Two Bulgarian divisions operating in the Tamrush and Mehomia districts have effected a junction below Nevrokop, and the Servians and Bulgarians are united in Vardar Valley. Both armies are marching on Salonika unopposed. THE GREEKS 1 CAMPAIGN. ON LAND AND SEA. , TWO TURKISH- GUNBOATS SUNK. Athens, November 4. Greek gunboats participating in the attack on Nicopolis sank two Turkish gunboats. The Greek forces at Preveza included Cretan and Ep'irot volunteers. The Turkish officers were allowed to retain their swords. , The Turkish story of a Greek defeat : at Vodena was unfounded. The Crown, Prince's army, after two days' fierce fighting, routed thousands of Turks at Yenidje, including many strongly entrenched, and they hotly pursued them and captured fourteen Turkish guns. •fThe Greek fleet is cruising off the Dardanelles, awaiting the Turkish fleet. l iA Greek detachment landed at Stravjrijs, and is advancing on Salonika. Greeks have occupied the Nico- 1 . Jldjlis Heights, overlooking Preveza, blowing up the Turkish battery. The Turks ; and Bas'hi Bazouks fled. The Greeks captured 450 prisoners. The naval detachment co-operated at Preveza. The Turks sank a torpedo boat to avoid its capture. The army inarching to Florida was ,checked by a superior force of Turks beyond Banitza, and was compelled to critrench with twenty miles of Monastir. THE TURKS' MISJUDGMENT. "A HOUSE DIVIDED." FURTHER BARBARITIES. Vienna, November 4. The Reiehpost reports that captured Turkish officers state that Turkey believe that the Bulgarian attack would be concentrated on Adrianople, where it would bleed to death trying to effect a capture, giving Turkey time to mobilise. They admit want of unanimity among the leaders. The Fremdenblatt warns Servia for having occupied Prizrend for neither military nor national motives, but for operations beyond that point. Sofia, November 4. The Turks at Kirk Kilissia shut the Christian soldiers of an Ottoman regiment in a house and massacred them. They killed a Bulgarian priest after cutting off his nose and gouging out his eyes. They massacred women and children on the priest's body. i KING PETER ENTERS USKUB. THE TURKS' FLIGHT. MONASTIR THREATENED. Belgrade, November 4. At Uskub large crowds acclaimed King Peter's entry. The King assured the Turkish inhabitants that they would be free to live unmolested ui\der the new regime. The Turks' flight from Uskub was a debacle. The scum began plundering; and fired a depot containing ammunition. Volunteers extinguished the outbreak before it reached the shrapnel. General Yankovich has reached Govstivar, en route for Monastir. It is reported that the Skuptstina next session will pass a Bill annexing the districts of Novibazar, Kossovo, Kumanovo, Uskub, Veles, Prizrend and Sibra. Three million cartridges, five hundred rifles and seven waggon loads of stores were captured at Mitrovitza. The Servians are within thirty miles of Monastir. TURKEY ASKS FOR INTERVENTION. BRITAIN, FRANCE AND RUSSIA ACQUIESCE. GERMANY AND AUSTRIA STAND ALOOF. Paris, November 4. M. Poincare, Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has suggested that prior to mediation by the Powers they should give a pledge not to make territorial claims. Britain and Russia have accepted this suggestion, but Germany and) Austria have not replied. The Viennese papers argue that Austria is unable to pledge herself beforehand without knowing the consequences. French newspapers fear that Austria intends annexation, thus opening the ! way for other Powers' ambitions, adding ; that Italy has her eye on Albania. ' Other newspapers suspect Germany of ■ preparing a surprise, and urge M. Poincare to temporise. It is semi-officially stated that the Porte has asked France to secure the Powers' intervention, in order to stop hostilities, and impose an armistice. M. Poincare has replied that Frence " was unable to comply with the request ' without infringing international law, and : was only able to examine, in conjunction 1 with all the Powers, the demand for ! mediation, properly so-called, if made. r London, November 4. Britain is communicating with the other Powers before replying to Turkey. M. Poincare has proposed the recognition of the political and administrative changes in the parts occupied by the Allies, the retention of the Sultan's 2 sovereignty in Constantinople and the = surrounding region, and the summoning of a European conference, to which the Balkan States will be invited. The pourparlers with the Powers, which are proceeding on the basis of' M. Poincare's proposal, are likely to be expedited by the Porte's application, aiming at the cessation ol hostilities. Mr. Asquith announce'd that the cruiser Weymouth had arrived at Besika Bay y and was going to Constantinople. The [- British Ambassador had detained the o steamer City of Chios, in case of Britishers being 'endangered. Arrangements w*ere being made for a second steamer, if also for a second warship, at Salonika. h Paris, November 4. The Government, in reply to the u Porte, states that there is no prospect of the Allies accepting the Turkish overi- tures, as more definite proposals were ,1 necessary. It is understood that the ]- other Powers are making a similar reply. d d AUSTRIA'S POSITION. PERIL TO EUROPEAN PEACE. it London, November 4. i- The Vienna correspondent of the Daily le Mail states that Austria's disinterestcdn ness has become impossible, owing to the overthrow of Turkey. The gravest

peril to European peace is that Austria siiould be allowed a field. She is being squeezed between Europe and the Balkan Allies, and there is thus a possibility that Austria will find herself isolated, and thus become a disturbing factor to the concert of the Powers. THE ALLIES' ATTITUDE. WILL NOT TOLERATE INTERFER- j ENCE. I London, November 4. It is stated from Balkan official sources that the Allies will not tolerate foreign interference, as the conditions of peace for the whole campaign and political programme were pre-arranged, and there is not the least danger of disagreement among the allies regarding the division of territories and the definition of frontiers. THE FORE. Gibraltar, November 4. The battleships King Edward, Zealandla, Africa and Hindustan liave sailed for the East. The remainder of the fleet will follow immediately. Berlin, November 4. The cruisers Bertha, Venita and Geyer, which are at present in the Mediterranean, have been ordered to Turkish waters. Two cruisers will also leave ; Kiel. Vienna, November 4. Six warships have left Trieste (an Austrian port in the Adriatic) for the Levant. Constantinople, November 4. The Porte has granted the warships of the Powers a passage through the Dardanelles. The Turks officially, announce the withdrawal from Chatalja. Owing to the disquiet, the British Consul-General has dispatched a steamer to embark Britishers at Rodesto desirous of leaving.