Balkan War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 152, 14 November 1912, Page 5

Balkan War

A MONTENEGRIN VICTC2Y. AUSTRIA AND SERVIA. PORTE APPLIES FOR AN ARMISTICE. PROSPECTS OF PEACE. IF THE CAVITAL IS ENTERED. "FOREIGN AMBASSADORS WILL DIE," BULGARIANS STEADILY APPROACHING. By Cable—Press Association—CopyrightConstantinople, November 12. Kiamil Pasha hafs warned the Ambassadors that if the Bulgarians enter Constantinople, the Ambassadors with the young and old people, would all die.

The Ambassadors have recommended each of the Powers to send a third warship. The wounded are arriving in such numbers that the Porte is transferring them to Broussa. It is feared that the water supply will become infected, and carry the cholera to Pera. The Arabs have offered many thousands of troops to help the Caliphate. When the Turkish warship Masudia shelled the vicinity of Rodosto the Greeks and Armenians became panicstricken, and, fearing a massacre, took refuge in the Consulates. The feeble and dispirited Turkish garrison occupied the trenches around Rodosto. The fight lasted till the afternoon. The Bulgarians are steadily approach ing the town. BOMBARDMENT OF TARABOSCH. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. Cettinje, November 12. The bombardment of Tarabosch was continued on Sunday evening. The Turks were driven to the highest points of their position. They were desperate from exposure, intensified by snow and lack of food. The garrison attempted to force a way to Scutari, but the Montenegrins drove them back. Constantinople, November 12. After a desperate battle, the Montenegrins evacuated Alission and Midua. THE PORTE APPLIES FOR AN ARMISTICE. Constantinople, November 13. It is reported that the Porte has applied direct to Bulgaria for an armistice. The Porte has re.iddressed the Powers enquiring what progress has been made towards the cessation of hostilities. : - ■ ' Vienna, November 12. The Archduke Franz Ferdinand goes to Berlin at the end of next week to consult with the Kaiser regarding the action of the Triple Alliance. Buda-Pesth, November 12. The mission of M. Daneff, President of the Bulgarian Sobranje, to Vienna is interpreted as indicated that Bulgaria is. sympathetic to Austria's sensitiveness regarding the Servian claims to Albania, which were not part of the Allies' original programme. Bulgaria is now determined to insist on Albanian autonomy. THE BASIS OF PEACE. Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Constantinople, November 13. With referenci' to Turkey's appeal for mediation the Powers nave informed the Porte that the Balkans are ready to bear suggestions regarding a basis of peace. Turkey has replied that the Balkans initiated the war, and ought to be the first to declare what their demands are. The Ilibernia and other warships reached Smyrna. PREPARATIONS AT MONASTIR. GRECIAN ROYALTY AT SALONIKA. Received 13, 9.35 p.m. Athens, November 13. Riza Pasha, at Monastir, is preparing a vigorous resistance. The King of the Hellenes, Prince George and Princess Alice were ovationed on arrival at Salonika. Houses were decorated with the flags of the Balkan Allies. AUSTRIA AND SERVIA. Received 13, 10.30 p.m. Belgrade, November 13. Austria-Hungary has offered preferential treatment to industry and commerce in Servia, and has also proposed that the latter should be satisfied with an outlet in the Aegean Sea instead of in the Adriatic. M. Basics has reserved his reply until the Allies have been consulted. He has personally urged the Austro-Hungarian Minister to endeavor to secure /the relinquishment of demands calculated to I increase ill-feeling in Servia towards I Austria-Hungary. Received 14. 1.5 a.m. Berlin, November 14. The Lokalan Zeiger and some other newspapers anticipate King Peter's cooperation in the efforts to reach an understanding with Austria. They warn him against military operations on the Adrjatic, adding that the Austrian and squadrons are under orders to make a joint demonstration if necessary. Vienna, November 13. The Neue Werner Tageblatt publishes a semi-official Note, threatening Servia with Triple Alliance military measures if she is obdurate. THE ALLIES FIRM. . Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Vienna, November 13. The Bulgarian Consul-Ceneral at BudaPesth declares that M. Daneff is negotiating on behalf of all the Balkan States. M. Daneff, interviewed, said that the Balkans intend to remain closely allied with each other. A MONTENEGRIN REPULSE. Received 14, 1,5 a.m. Vienna, November 13. The Reichspost says that the Montenegrins were driven from the plains south of Scutari, and are now on the banks of the Bojana river. THE OCCUPATION OF SALONIKA. Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Sofia, November 13. It is announced that, a Bulgarian division entered Salonika simultaneously with a Serviali regiment on Saturday. Civil administration is being carried on by the three allied States. SHORT OF FOOD. Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Sofia, November 13. Christian deserters report that the garrison at Adrianopl' 1 is short of provisions. A loaf of bread constitutes two days' rations for two soldiers.

THE BULGARIAN ADVANCE. Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Sofia, November 13. It is officially announced that the Bulgarians reached the Chataldja lines unopposed, and have also occupied Midia. The Bulgarian occupation of Strumnitza and Bunarhissar is confirmed. THE GREEK ARMY. Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Belgrade, November 13. The Greek General Souzo has arrived at Uskub. He informed King Peter that 80,000 Greeks were before Salonika. He proposed to divide them to assist the Bulgarians at Chataldja and the Servians at Monastir and Idrissan'r. THE ALBANIANS. Received 14, 1.5 a.m. Belgrade, November 13. Three thouse*id Albanians have surrendered and sworn allegiance to Servia. GENERAL ITEMS. Belgrade, November 12. The Turkish officials in charge of the funds and taxation department of the Post Office escaped from Uskub with £60,000, and disappeared. Constantinople, November 12. An officer and seventeen soldiers have been executed here for cowardice at Kirk Kilissia. Sofia, November 12. The Turkish prisoners working on the construction of the railway connecting the arsenal and the main line, and also in making ammunition ox waggons, are being paid one franc,per day. EUROPE'S VAST UNREST. FRANCE WILL NOT ACT ALONE. ("Sydney Sun's" Special Cable Service.) London, November 4. A vast unrest fills Europe. Turkey's sudden collapse has left dip-, lomacy far in the rear, and the request for mediation has taken the French Government by surprise. It is semi-officially stated in Paris that France will not accept the duty of mediation unless in consort with all the Powers.

A meeting of the Ambassadors resident in Constantinople resulted in information being sent to the respective Governments that it would be immediately necessary to protect the foreign communities in that city. SADNESS OF WAR. TURKS INDOMITABLE DIGNITY. THE GREAT RETIREMENT. A HALOBURST OF SHRAPNEL. London, November 4. One of the Times' correspondents, who witnessed the flight of the Turks, sends a graphic description of the retreat. He says: "In all my long experience of the miserable scenes of war, I have seen nothing finer than the retirement of the Turkish infantry. There was no mass formation in the evolution. It seemed as if suddenly the whole land as far as the eye could see was peopled by men in their

hundreds and thousands shaken out to a wonderful extension. They did not seem to care when the rain of metal swept down upon them. Nor, except for the gunners, could I see that that fearful haloburst of shrapnel did any great execution among these men, whose steps it could not even hasten. Slowly, deliberately, with indomitable dignity, the Turkish foot soldiers retired. Rarely have I been so moved. As my horse, wounded and painfully toiling, took its way to the railroad over a distance of thirty miles, I overtook the victims. Their agonies were visible in their lacklustre eyes. Hundreds were dragging their weary feet along. They seemed to have no food, and as there was no habitation on the road for more than twenty mile's of its length they could only hope for cover to obtain the relief that they sought. "The relief and supply columns of the Turkish transport carried no nourishment." DIVISION OF SPOILS. WHAT THE BALKANS WILL DO. London, November 4. The Marquis 'of Guillano, Italy's Foreign Minister, has gone to Berlin, where the attitude of the Triple Alliance will be decided upon. The people of Italy do not expect that great results will follow. Private disclosures show that the Balkan States settled the solution of the Near Eastern question before they invaded Ottoman territory, and therefore the good offices of the Powers are entirely superfluous.

It is believed that the Confederates will insist upon remaining in possession of their several conquests. AWFUL BLOODSHED. THE BULGARIAN LOSSES. TWO REGIMENTS WIPED OUT. London, November 4. During the fighting between Serai and Chorlu, where a remnant of the defeated Turks made a magnificent stand, the bloodshed was awful. On Saturday the Ottoman forces stood their ground south of Luleburgas, and the exchanges were of a murderous character. The Turks were overwhelmed by artillery fire, and the losses on their side are estimated at 20,000 killed and wounded. The number of Bulgarians killed in the recent fighting is enormous. Orel 20,000 were wounded. Li the First and Second Regiments alone, which were recruited at Sofia, and whose original strength aggregated 7200, only TOO were not wounded in the war. The universities and schools have suffered severely, because the professors and students were largely represented in these two regiments. WITHOUT A BLOW. HOW PREVEZA WAS CAPTURED. London, November 4. While the Creek troops were preparing on Sunday morning for the assault on Preveza the British, Russian, and Austrian Consuls offered capitulation on the condition that the inhabitants were protected. This was afforded, and the Greek flag hoisted. AN ARMISTICE. DIPLOMATS WORKING OVERTIME. GERMAN EMPEROR TAKES A HAND. London, November 4. There is tremendous activity in diplomatic circles.

lii Berlin last night there was a long conference "between the Marquis Giuliani), the Italian Foreign Minister, and the German Chancellor and other Ministers. The Timpcror himself appeared upon the scene at noon to-day. There is little to talk about yet. It is understood, however, that Germany will associate herself with the mediation

proposals, provided that all the Powers hold together. Paris considers that it is absolutely inadmissible that the Powers should attempt to impose an armistice in the Balkans, unless they are simultaneously able to give guarantees regarding the conditions of peace. The '• Journal des Debats" says that if the Sultan wishes to have his dominions in Asia he must frankly abandon his European possessions except Constantinople and a strip along the coast of the Straits. I SERVIAN ASPIRATIONS. A HINT PROM VIENNA. London, November 4. The inspired press of Vienna insists that Austria should not admit to possession by Servia of Balkan territory which might form a basis of political and economic operations against the monarchy. The desire of Servia for an Adriatic port is declared impracticable, because it will be impossible to be sure that Servia, and not another State, will control such waters. Mr. Foster Fraser, in his "Pictures from the Balkans," wrote as follows of Adrianople:—"The population is a medley of Turk, Greek, Jew and Armenian. But all the trading, the commerce, and the banking are in the hands of foreigneis. The Turk is hopeless as a business man. . . . Adrianople is a city of terror. Christians, Armenians, whispered into my ear tales of revenge on the cruel Turks. But they did not take place. The Turks were in constant fear of outrages, bombs and the like, from ' Bulgarians or Armenians. At sundown ■' every Christian must be within doors. 1 Otherwise there is arrest and imprisonment. _ No light must be burning in a Christian house three hours after sun- ' down, or the soldiers butt the door with their rifles, demand reasons, and under threats levy blackmail; no Mahomedan can go through the . streets after dark without a lantern; no Mahomedan must even be iii the streets after ten o'clock without a special permit. The only sound at night is the heavy tread of i the patrol." j

The population of Constantinople, towards which the victorious invadeis of Turkey are now hastening, is an uncertain figure, as no accurate statistics can be obtained. It is generally estimated between 800,000 and 1,000,000. The inhabitants form a remarkable conglomeration oi the different races, various nationalities, divers languages, distinctive costumes, and conflicting religious beliefs. The city has been, well described as -'a city not of one nation, but of many and hardly more of one than of another." The following figures are given in the .Britannica as an appoximate estimate of the size of the communities which compose the population:—! Moslems 384,010 Greeks 152,910 Armenians 140,500 Jews 44,361 Roman Catholics (native) 0,442 Bulgarians 4J377 Greek Latins 1,082 Protestants (native) 819 Foreigners 129,243 Total 873,565