Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-26
TAKE TURKISH FORTS
BuIgars Seize Positions Out
side AdrianopIe.
MAKE GENERAL ADVANCE
Sultan's Troops Said to Be Fleeing
in Panic.
FIGHT AT POINT OF BAY0NET
Thousands Killed and Wounded in
Battle at Kumanova-Three
Squadrons Annihilated.

SOFIA, Bulgaria, October 16. 4:30 a m.
"A portion of the town Of Adrianople has
been set on fire by the Bulgarian ar
tillery. according to private dispatches
received here.
The Bulgarian troops have taken the
outlying forts of Maras. Havaras and
Sufilar. to the north and northeast of the
city. and also have captured a railroad
station in the extreme outskirts. Eight
cen hundred prisoners have fallen into
their hands.
The entire absence of Turkish officers
among the prisoners captured at Kirk
kilisseh is much commented on. as the
first reports represented that the whole
garrison had been taken.
The Bulgarian army Is reported to be
advancing along the whole front and a
dispatch to the government organ. the
Mir: says the Turks are retreating in
panic, while the civilian population is
fleeing toward Constantinople.
The village of Kotchavi was captured
by the Bulgarians yesterday after severe
fighting at the point Of the bayonet.
Montenegrins Take Koplik.
LONDON, October 26.-The Montene-
grin army under Gen. Martinovitch has
occupied Koplik, near Tarakosch, from
which position its artillery can be trained
on the forts of the Turkish city of Scu-
tari, according to official reports received
by the Montenegrin consul general here.
The other Montenegrin army. COM
manded by Gen. Vukotitch, has defea ted
a force of Turkish frregulars who were
entrenched at Rogova endeavoring to pre-
vent the advance of the Montenegrins to
Ipek. The Turks were put to fight and
abandoned two field guns and some am
| munition and baggage. Gen. Vukotitch is
advancing on Ipek.
Flee From Fighting Zone.
CONSTANTINOPLE, October 26.-
| Strong columns of Bulgarian troops have
| been observed in front of the northern
and western defenses Of Adrianople. ac-
| cording to dispatch from that city. 1t
! is supposed they also are strengthening
I their attacking lines in front of the north
| eastern forts. The exodus of the civilian
population from the fighting zone con-
tinueS.
The Turkish council of ministers yes
terday discussed the question Of a possi-
| BILE Intervention OF the powers and decid-
ed not to entertain any such proposal at
| the present moment.
Details of Kumanova Battle.
LONDON, October 2s.-The Turkish
troops were the first to take the offensive
in the desperate battle which ended in
the fall of Kumanova into the hands of
the Servian troops and opened up the way
for their advance on the stronghold of
Cskup.
The Servian legation in London has re-
celved an official account OF the fighting,
from which it appears that during a driz-
Zl1ng rain and heavy fog Wednesday the
Turkish troops advanced on the Seryian
position five miles from Kumanova. AS
soon as they came into touOh with the
| and lasted throughout the afternoon.
Both armies suffered severe losses but
the Servfans succeeded in staying the
| Turkish onslaught.
The battle was resumed at o'clock
Thursday morning. the Servians this
| time taking the offensive and attack
ing the Turkish troops. who had in
trenched themselves during the lull in
| the fighting. After an artillery duel
| general advance was ordered by the
Servian commander at o'clock, under
cover of the artillery, to which the
Turkish field guns replied vigorously.
Driven Back by Bayonets.
The ground over which the Servian
troops had to advance was open. and
the infantrymen were exposed to a
sweeping fire. Nevertheless they
StOrmed the Turkish trenches again
! and again until finally, at the point of
the bayonet. they drove out the Otto
man troops.
1t took the Servians four hours to clear
| the valley. but it was then found neces-
sary before occupying kumanova to
| take the heights on the right bank of the
river, to which the Turkish troops had
retired in disorder
At one period during the fighting the
Servian artillery anrihiiated three
squadrons of Turkish cavalry, and the
turkish losses are said to have num-
bered 5000 killed and wounded. while
twelve of their field guns were cap
tured.
The Servian casualties also were heavy
They lost many officers, including two
regimental commanders and several bat
talon commanders.
The Servian advance guard Is now be-
fore Cskup. according to the report.
n n