Balkan War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 159, 22 November 1912, Page 5

Balkan War

THE ATTACK ON CHATALDJA. "MERELY A RECONNAISSANCE." WAR CORRESPONDENT'S STORY. By Cable—Prass Association—Copyright. Received 21, 8.10 p.m. London, November 21. Mr. Donohoe. the Chronicle's correspondent, says that both sides were exhausted after the fearful artillery duel. It is probable that the Bulgarians' attack was merely a reconnoissance in force to test the vulnerability of the Turkish works. The Turks displayed a better fighting spirit than hitherto. The infantry were admirable in their steadiness. A finer class of Turkish reserves is now in the lighting line. Both sides sustained great losses. The Turkish wounded are now being served decently by an ambulance corps. They are streaming into Hademkeui. In Sunday's con- ! test the warships prevented the Bulgarians turning the Turkish left. Lake Bujukehekmeje is too deep and too wide for pontooning. The only passage for the Bulgarians is by means of a narrow stone bridge close to the seashore. The warships destroyed the bridge after two days' shelling. AN ARTILLERY DUEL. DISEASE AND DEATH. TURKS PERISH LIKE FLIES. Received 21, 10.50 p.m. London, November 21. Mr. Donohoe, continuing his report, states that the Bulgarians, under cover of the darkness on Saturday, pushed their infantry forward within striking distance of the Turkish left. The Bulgarians dug themselves into cover and held on, firing in the face of a heavy ' fire. The Bulgarian artillery burst their shells with fine precision over the Turkish redoubts, entailing heavy loss. While one section shelled the redoubts, another sought to destroy the Turkish infantry reserves, a favorite Bulgarian manoeuvre, which was brilliantly successful at Luleburgas. One redoubt was smothered, the shell fire of six shrapnels bursting simultaneously. It was impossible to judge the success of the Turkish fire, owing to the haze enveloping the valley. Several warship at Bujukehekmeje pounded at the Bulgarians on the heights. Several shells struck the village, which burst into flames while the Bulgarians were shelling the redoubts. The Turks are dying |like flies from cholera and dysentery. The rear army is dotted with isolation camps, where stricken soldiers, foodless and waterless, and without medical attendance, implore Allah to end their sufferings. A few fatigue parties dug shallow graves contiguous to the tents of the living, and buried a percentage of the dead.

A STUBBORN RESISTANCE. THE TERMS OF PEACE. Received 22, 12.40 a.m. London, November 21. In Monday's fight it appeared as if the concave formation of the Turkish formation was about to be broken in the centre, isolating the wings, while the Bulgarian wedge advanced on the main road to Constantinople, but fortune favored the Turks, the Bulgars being unable to hold the advanced positions which they stormed at such heavy cost. They fell back, the Turks vigorously shelling the retreatcrs and occupying the redoubts. Constantinople. November 21. Heavy firing was heard yesterday, probably due to the warships being unaware of the truce, which expires today. If the Allies' terms are accepted, Nazim Pasha and General Fitchcff have ben instructed to arrange for an armistice. The Allies' terms include the surrender of Adrianoplc. Scutari, Janina and all Turkish territory now in the Allies' possession and occupation.

ALBANIA'S AUTONOMY. London, November 21. The Daily Mail's Sofia correspondent says that the Allies have definitely abandoned the partition- of Albania and consented to autonomy. THE POWERS WARY. Received 22, 12.45 a.m. Constantinople, November 21. The Porte suggested that the Powers should withdraw their naval contingents, asserting that thev were no longer required. The Ambassadors and Foreign Ministers met and decided not to alter the present position. FURTHER CHOLERA OUTBREAK. Constantinople. November 21. Cholera and typhoid have broken out among the Bulgarians at Rodosto and Silvvie. It is believed that the quartering of cholera'patients in the mosque of St. Sophia lias been done to prevent the enemy entering it and celebrating the entry with a To Deum. BLAMTNT, THE POWERS. Received :'.:. J2.45 a.m. Kiamil Pasha ' ■ '.Vis the Powers for not promptly coin.•,.;. Seating the demand for an armistice, causing the loss of thousands of lives. The Powers' hesitation compelled Turkey to approach King Ferdinand directly. Kiamil asks: "Do the Powers distinguish that wc are Moslems in defeat, as well as in victory? If so, what becomes of their professions of humanity and justice?" THE CONSULAR TROUBLE. Vienna, November 20. Germany and Italy, whose interests at Prizrend are entrusted to the Austrian Consulate, have made joint representations at Belgrade concerning M. Prochaska's safety. Count Berchtold announces that Scrvia having assented, an Austro-Hungariaii functionary has gone to Uskub to investigate. Received 22, 12.45 a.m. Belgrade, November 21. It is setni-oilicinlly announced that the Government will not place any difficulty in the way of an Austrian representative proceeding to Prizrend to communicate with the Consulate. MISLEADING REPORTS. Sofia, November 20. The Turkish successes at Chataldja I are officially denied. THE FALL OF MONASTIR. Belgrade, November 20. The latest reports show that the Turks at Monastir did not surrender, but fled in all directions. The newspapers demand an enquiry into the origin of the report that 40,000 prisoners > were taken. i A LULL IN THE ATTACK. I . I London, November 20. i Reuter's Chataldja correspondent re- - ports that the Bulgarians have ceased fighting, pending pourparlers.

THE BULGARIA N r LOSSES. I Constantinople, November 20. Nazim Pasha reports that reconnoit- • ring parties counted 50!) Bulgarians dead on the slopes near Chataldj" Station. Prisoners state that the Bnlgar! ns were three days without food, and v re unable to remove the wounded. Independent acconnts confirm that the Turks are maintaining Uiuir positions on the Chataldja lines. A TURKISH REPULSE. Sofia, November 20, The Turks at Adrianople on Monday attempted to break through the lines. They fought throughout the day, but were repulsed with heavy losses. THE GREEK ADVANCE. Athens, November 20. The Crown Prince telegraphs: "Tomorrow we march on Fiorina. The enemy are resisting, despite the surrender of Monastir." THE ARMISTICE. Constantinople, November 20. Nazim Pasha has been appointed delegate to arrange the armistice. GENERAL ITEMS. Received 22, 12.45 a.m. Athens, November 21. Eight hundred wounded have arrived from Salonika. A Russian cruiser has hastily sailed for Jaffa, consequent on a report of massacre of Christians. A band of Macedonians ambushed 500 Turkish regulars in the Janina district, killing 24 and wounding 77. The rest fled. Calcutta, November 21. A hundred thousand Moslems are assembled at Maidan to offer intercessory prayers for the. Sultan. There are similar gatherings throughout India.