A BROKEN ARMY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3673, 7 November 1912, Page 5

A BROKEN ARMY.

THE RETREAT AFTER LULE BURGAS. MANY PITIFUL SCENES. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. THE WOUNDED LEFT TO DIE. A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] (Received Nov. 6, 11.5 p.in.) LONDON, Nov. 6.

The "Telegraph’s” correspondent, describing the retreat after the battle of Lule Burgas, says the strongest -speedily got in front, while the weak, sick and wounded struggled painfully behind m thousands.

The wounded made pathetic efforts to keep up with their comrades and many fell by the roadside and crawled off the track and died. For three days all were foodless and every stream was turned into a mudpuddle in a fearful ' struggle to quench the thirst.

The Turks commenced the campaign 2000 officers short, and tfie loss of officers in the battle was enormous, hence the impossibility -of maintaining any semblance of order in the retreat.

Looking back from the rising ground at Teh or hi one met an extraordinary sight. Fifty thousand stragglers dotted the plain—men, horses, guns and oxwaggons—all converging on the two roads leading to Tchorlu and bent on reaching it before- nightfall. If the routed army fails at Tchataldja and falls back on Constantinople the starving hordes are hound to begin looting and the city’s forces are incapable of preserving order.

The military authorities in Constantinople, throughout the campaign, have deliberately deceived the outside world, hoping that- the bravery of the Turks would pull them through at the eleventh hour.

The Army was defeated through sheer starvation rather than any other factor.

The Turkish army has no general staff capable of running a country circus.

The greatest battle of modern times was fought without the smallest preparation to succour the wounded, and the few surgeons available lacked every necessary.

The artillery had a few hours’ supply of ammunition, but whole battalions and brigades were Ignorant Anatolian peasants, thousands of whom had never handled a rifle. The correspondent- did not- see the Turkish machine gun in action, hut says the Bulgarians’ artillery was matchless and their ammunition supply a masterpiece of organisation. Their machine gun fire was deadly.

ROUMANIA’S DESIRES

THE OLD FRONTIER

(Received Nov. 6. 11.5 p.m.) BUCHAREST, Nov. 6. There are indications that Roumania desires her old frontier at Rusthuch and Vorna and to join the tri]>lico for support against powerful Bulgaria. A LULL IN OPERATIONS.

BULGARIAN HEROES RESTING

SOFIA, Nov. 5

There has been a lull in operations at Tchorlu, due to the Bulgarian army being given two days’ repose after four days and nights of fighting. The period expires to-day, when the advance on Tc-hataldja will be resumed with reinforcements from Adrianople. The latter will be replaced by Servians.

The second Bulgarian army, under General Kutinjeff, is marching by the coast, along the Sea of Marmora, to effect a junction with General Dinutreff (who is in charge of Bulgaria’s eastern army) at Tcliataldja.

PERIL OF DISEASE.

1 A TERRIBLE FORECAST

(Received Nov. 6, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 6. The “Lancet’s” _ correspondents state that the mortality arising Iroin disease in the Balkans is likely to be enormous.

The arrangements on both sides for dealing with the sick and wounded are inadequate. Starving non-combatants are [Wiring into Constantinople, and disease is likely to decimate them.

THE WESTERN ADVANCE.

SURRENDER OF SCUTARI DEMANDED.

ALBANIAN DEFENDERS REFUSE

(Received Nov. 6, 11.5 p.m.) CETTINJE, Nov. 6. Montenegrin and Austrian officers under a white flag demanded the surrender of Scutari.

Riza Bey refused. The Montenegrins have occupied Alessio and Port San Giovanni and Demedua.

The Servians and' Montenegrins have effected a junction at Ipck and are marching against Diakova. Foreign Consul's protested to Prince Danielo against shells 1 falling among peaceful Christians and Mohammedans at Scutari. The Grown Prince replied that the town was fortified, and neutral buildings ought to be marked with special flags. He concludes by mentioning the misuse of the -white flag, of which the Montenegrin soldiers wore made victims.

SERVIANS’ RED ROLL.

SOME APPALLING FIGURES

(Received Nov. 6, 11.5 p.m.) BELGRADE, Nov. C. The Turks have concentrated in strong -positions at Pibra, Momastir and Pirlope. The Servian casualties up to 3rc! inst. are:

Officers. Men. Killed 72 ,3417 Wounded ... ... 238 9682 Missing 688 (all told).

THE POWERS AND MEDIATION. ANOTHER APPEAL TO M. POINCAIRE. “IF THE BELLIGERENTS WILD ACCEPT!” (Received Nov. 6, 10.10 p.m.) PARIS, Nov. 6. Rifaat Pasha lias renewed his request for mediation and M. Poincare (Premier) lias repeated Shis previous answer that lie is prepared to consult tlie Powers if the belligerents accepted mediation. THE ALLIES’ RIGHT. TO FORMULATE THEIR- OWN TERMS'. LONDON, Nov. 5. Sir Edward Grey, in the House of Commons, said it was true that the Porte had appealed to the Powers to secure the suspension of hostilities, and the Powers were exchanging views. It would be delicate to interfere unless both belligerents asked them to do so. No one could question the allies’ right to formulate their own terms. Sir Edward Grey informed Mr Bonar Law that there was no foundation for the report-that Britain had addressed any warning to Bulgaria. (Cheers.) The movement by British warships was precisely similar to ilia-t of other Powers.

AUSTRIA’S POLICY

OUTLINED BY HER FOREIGN MINISTER.

(Received Nov. 7, 12.40 a.m.) BUDAPEST, Nov. 6

Count Berclitold (Austrian Foreign Minister), addressing the Foreign Affaire Committee, said the present aspirations -of the allies were incompatible with the principle of the integrity of Turkey, hut Austria had no tendency towards territorial expension, and was prepared to make large allowances in the new situation created by the allies’ victories and to lay the foundation of a lasting friendly understanding. On the other hand she would also have the right to demand that the legitimate interests of Austria should not suffer in the settlement.

He hoped that Roumania’s interests would meet with corresponding consideration.

POSITION AT TCHATALJA.

TURKISH FORCES BEING DRIVEN BACK.

(Received Nev. 7, 12.40 a.m.) VIENNA, Nov. 6. The whole Turkish army is not yet within Tchutalja. The line of the western section, which took up a position east of the Clmrlu, was vanquished yesterday, and is retreating on TchataljaThe ' Tlciclispost” states that the Montenegrins have crossed the Bojana River, but a superior Turkish force at Berdiea compelled them to retire. The Bulgarian left wing, 54,000 strong, has rached Stroudja, and will continue to advance on Icherikeskeui.

The main body is passing through Stroudja, the region behind the Derkos Tchatalja line. The southern army will execute a frontal attack on Tchatalja.

THE THREATENED CAPITAL. SNOW DELAYING OPERATIONS. (Received Nev. 7, 12.40 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 6. Snow is falling in the mountains, and this is delaying military developments on both sides. The Embassies have requested permission for the passage of a second warship each through the Dardanelles.

SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE. UNSUCCESSFUL OTTOMAN SORTIE. (Received Nor. 7, 12.40 a.m.) SOFIA, Nov. 6. There was a battle lasting all day on the 29th. 20,000 Turks attempted to break through the besiegers at Adrianople, and .both lost heavily. The Bulgarians made a violent general bayonet charge, and compelled the Turks to retire within the lines, where they were supported by artillery. The Bulgarians did not follow. Refugees state that the Adrianople water supply has been cut oIF, and the inhabitants are dependent on the river. There is much sickness.