Balkan War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 172, 7 December 1912, Page 5

Balkan War

. THE SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE. A DREADFUL STORY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sofia! December 5. Kilebjian, an Armenian doctor, escaped from Adrianople. He states' that shells started a fire at night among wooden Turkish houses dry with age. Half the town was burnt. No hoses were available. The inhabitants were mad with terror, and made a rush to the military quarter. The garrison, in the hope of quelling the riots, fired a volley at them. _ Eighty thousand inhabitants are in al terrible plight, being without bread or lighting. They are using the woodwork of houses to cook their food. The air is polluted. The bodies of men, women, horses, dogs, and other dead animals are being thrown into the swollen Maritza. Pestilence is certain when tbe flood recedes. A FURIOUS BOMBARDMENT. ' Sofia, December 5. There has been a furious bombardment of Adrianople from six o'clock on Tuesday night onward. Chukri Pasha rejected the final summons to yield, declaring he would not surrender without orders, At midnight came the notification of the armistice. Prior to the armistice, the Bulgarians captured an important strategic position northward oi Gallipoli.

3TAVAL BATTLE PENDING. Constantinople, December 5. , The fleet is concentrating in the Dardanelles. The Government has ordered an attack on the Greek fleet in the Aegean Sea. AUSTRIA PREPARING FOR WAR. Vienna, December 5. : The military committee has adopted a Bill providing for the support of soldiers' relatives. A FUTILE BOMBARDMENT. Rome, December 5. Two Greek gunboats bombarded Va lona.. Shells fell near the Italian and the Austro-ilungarian consulates. Owing to the panic Kemal Bey protested, and the gunboats departed, the Greeks declaring that Valona ought to surrender. The Greeks treat the Albanians like brothers. ■ ' GENERAL ITEMS. Vienna, December 5. Financial circles are excited. The Hungarian Government is introducing a Bill conferring the power to declare a discretionary moratorium. Belgrade, December 5. Prince George is recovering from an attack of typhoid.

THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS,

TURKEY AND GREECE,

Sofia, December 5,

The Turks declined the Greek claim for the surrender of Janina and the Aegean Islands captured by the fleet. Thereupon the Greek delegates, in the absence of instructions, withheld their signatures, but were granted twentyfour hours in which to communicate with Athens.

THE ALLIES NOT AT VARIANCE. Athens, December 5. Semi-official advice, says there is reason to believe that the pourparlers with the Allies regarding peace terms will result in common action. Denial is given to the reported conflict at Serrps. Friendly relations, are being maintained among the Allies. THE LONDON CONFERENCE. ;. ~ Constantinople, December i). The proposals for the conference in London- appear to have emanated from the Porte, which wished to enjoy the advantage of Sir Edward Grey's advice.