Balkan War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 5

Balkan War

A HORRIBLE SIGHT. THE CAMP AT SAN STEFANO. APPALLING CONDITIONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, November 21. Keuter's Constantinople correspondent visited the Sail Stefanoi camp. He sayß that soldiers on the railway embankment thirty feet high prevented the escape of the inmates. There were appalling scenes within the camp. Bodies were thrown from the trains and lay where they had fallen, some on top of the embankment. Others had rolled half way down, and others lay in heaps at the bottom. In one spot, sixty lay dead and dying together, apparently for warmth. When the watertank arrived and the army bread was distributed, some who were able to drag themselves secured food. The others were foodless, and lay around a contaminated well, into which they lowered long sashes for water, with, which they moistened their mouths. Hundreds of dead lay in all directions,, and thousands of sick, mostly without shelter. A DREADFUL SCENE. DEAD BODIES EVERYWHERE. London, November 21. The Telegraph's correspondent describes the square at Hademkin as resembling a flypaper covered with corpses and writhing bodies, some sitting or kneeling, others prone. Dead . bodies were piled in heaps in some places. Stretchers and bearers were constantly bringing fresh victims from the camps and forts. All the tracks leading to an impromptu morgue were dotted with bodies. i

THE FIGHTING AT MONASTIR,

A FEROCIOUS ENGAGEMENT. Belgrade, November 21. The Turks armed the inhabitants of Monastir. The latter fought with great ferocity, inflicting heavy losses on the Servians. The fighting line covered thirty miles. The fight lasted four days, and included the most bloody encounters of the war. The Turk? mado counter attacks, but were continually repulsed. When the Servians captured the heights, the Turks, with a final effort, broke through the cordon and escaped to Ochrida. Prisoners state that 80,000 Turks were engaged. The Servians estimated that 20,000 Turks were killed and wounded. A BIG CAPTURE. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. Belgrade, November 21. Fighting continues around Monastir, with the scattered garrison. Five thousand, with forty-six guns, have been captured. Thirty thousand traversed Fiorina before the Greeks arrived. HOSTILITIES RESUMED. IN FRONT OF CHATALDJA. TURKISH POSITION IMPROVED. Received 22, 9.30 p.m. Constantinople, November 22. , The Bulgarians, after abandoning the Turkish advanced works, burnt the railway station at Chataldja and all the surrounding villages. They are now strongly entrenched on high ground opposite the Turkish right. The Bulgarians' retirement had a ' magical effect oil the Turks, who passed from gloom to excessive optimism, and possibly influenced the Porte in his refusal of the Bulgarian terms. The position is daily being strengthened by fresh troops, fresh entrenchments and more plentiful food, and this is improving the morale. The Turkish lines at Chataldja extend ' twenty-five miles. The extremities can be held by a skeleton force, with the assistance of the natural barriers of Lakes Buyukchekmeje and Derkos. THE GREEK FLEET. THREATENING THE DARDANELLES. Received 22. 0.30 p.m. Constantinople, November 22. Twelve Greek warships have arrived at Mitylene. It is believed that a rear attack is to be made on the Dardanelles forts, supported by the Greek fleet trying to force the straits. The cannonade at. Chataldja was resumed late on Wednesday night, and was audible in the city. The Hamidich was slightly damaged by torpedoes, but sank two Bulgarian torpedoers. The title "Ghazi," meaning victorious, has been conferred on General Chukri, commander at Adrianople, in recognition of his splendid defence.' THE TERMS OF PEACE. BULGARIAN OFFER REJECTED. Constantinople. November 21. i It is officially stilted that the Porte Ins rejected Bulgaria's terms and ordered Nazim Pa?h' to resume operations. The Bulgarians captured Mr. Angus Hamilton, the Central News correspondent, at Chataldja. THE GREEK ADVANCE. CAPTURE OF FLORIN A. Athens, November 21. oi liie .uonasui- army. Greek, Bulgarian and Servian officers at Salonika arc warmly fraternising at public fetes. INCREDIBLE BARBARITIES. WOMEN AND CHILDREN SLAUGHTERED. Vienna. November 21. The Reichpost states that the Servians refused to allow Hen- Wagner to investigate the Prochaska affair. At Nish, Herr Wagner heard a Red Cross doctor narrate incredible barbarities. The Servians refused quarter to the Albanians, whether armed or unarmed. Women and children were mercilessly killed. General St -fanovicli had the Albanians captured at Kratove formed into two ranks and shot down with a machine gun. The general said: 'We must extirpate these favorites of Austria-Hun-gary." General Zivkovieh ordered the Albanian and Turkish notables to be killed at Sjinica. THE WAR FUND. 1 Received 22, 5.5 p.m. London, November 22. The King and Queen have donated £IOO and £SO respectively to the Tureo--1 Albanian Mansion House Fund. London, November 21. Lord Iveagh and Sir Ernest Cassel

have each donated £IOOO towards the Mansion House Fund for non-comba-tants. SUICIDE IN DESPAIR. Paris, Novemb '!' 21. The Turkish Princess Zekkie, v.\fe of ft Turkish officer, in despair at the Luleburgas defeat, c>-!<c-':ed a funeral pyre in the courtyard of th:> palace and perished in the flames. THE CHOLERA FIEND. Constantinople, November 21. It is rumored that the Bulgarians are seeking healthier positions near Chorlu. GENERAL ITEMS. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. Vienna, November 21. The Neue Freie Fresse has received a telegram from M. Prochaska, announcing that he is proceeding to Uskub. Sofia, November 21. Four Bulgarian torpedoers damaged the Hamidieh, off Varna, but another cruiser drove them away, damaging their funnels.