THE BALKAN WAR

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 22 November 1912, Page 5

THE BALKAN WAR

CABLE NEWS

(Uniiul Press Association— By Elec--1 ric Telegraph—Copyright.)

BOTH SIDES EXHAUSTED

TURKS IN GOOD FIGHTING FORM.

A WARSHIP ASSISTS THE TURKS

(Received Last Night, 8.10 o'clock.) LONDON, November 21. Mr Martin Donohuo reports that bol/li .sides are exhausted after the fearful artillery duel at Chataldeja. It is probable, ho says, that the Bulgarians' attack was merely a reconnaissance in force, to test the vulner-ability-of the Turkish works. The Turk?! displayed better fighting spirit than they have done hitherto. Their infantry- fought with admirable steadiness. A finer class of Turkish reserves arc now in the fighting line. Hoth sides sustained great losses. The Turkish wounded are now served by a decently-good Ambulanco Corps. They aro streaming into Ha-divm-Keui.

,Tn Sunday's contest, a warship prevented tho Bulgarians from turning f!ir> Turkish left.

T ?lcp Bujulcchekineje is too deep nnd wide for nentooning, and the only napsage of the Bulgarians was by means of a narrow stone bridge, close to the (seashore.

The warship destroyed the bridge, after two days' shelling. Tho Bulgarians, under tho cover of darkness, on Saturday pushed tho infantry forward within striking distance of the Turkish left.

The Bulgarians dug themselves into cover, and held on firing, in face of a h-eavv fire.

The Bulgarian artillery burst shells with fine precision over the Turkish redoubts, entailing heavy loss.

While one section shelled the re-doubt-si' another,'sought to. destroy tli'o Turfcish''infantry' reserves with a favourite Bulgarian manoeuvre, which was brilliantly successful at Lule Bur-

One 'redoubt' was smothered with ."hell fire, six shrapnel bursting simultaneously.

It was impossible to judge the success of the Turkish fire, owing to a | haxe enveloping the valley. j Several warships at Bujukchekmeje pounded nt 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 flics from cholera and d.vsontry. The rear army is dotted in isolation l eaitips, whore stricken toldicrs, foodless. waterless, and without medical attendance, have implored Allah to end tl"'ir sufferings.

A few fat igue parties dug shallow craves contiguous to the tents of the living, where they buried fl percentage of the dead.

Tn Monday's fight it appeared i\« if the concave formation of tlie Turkish defence was about to bo broken in the centre, • isolating; t-ho wings, while tlio Bulgarians wedge advanced •■.long the main road to Constantinople. But fortune favoured Iho Ttirks. The Bulga« wore unable to hold their - advanced positions which wore stormed at suc.h heavy cost that they fell back.

The Turks vigorously shelled re;eaters and occupied the redoubts.

THE TERMS OF PEACE

ALLIES IX POSSESSION OF CHATALDEJA.

(Received Last Night, 11.30 ©'clock.)

CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 21

Heavy firing was heard yesterday, which was probably due to the wa*'<hips being unaware of the truce, which expires to-day. .If the Allies terms aro accepted, Nay.im Pasha and General Fitcheff will be entrusted to arrange an armistice. The Allies' terms include the guricndftr of Adrianople, Scutari, and Jnnina. all Turkish territory now.

The Allies are in possession and occupation of the Chataldeja lines.

PARTITION OF ALBANIA

ABANDONED BY ALLIES

(R occived Last Night, 11.30 o'clock.)

LONDON, November 21

The Daily Mail's Sofia correspondent suites that, the Allies have definitely abandoned the partition of Albania and consented to autonomy.