New-York tribune., 1912-11-19
Fifty Thousand Men and AZ
Guns in Great Macedonian
Stronghold Fail to Re-
sist Successfully the
Serb Attack.
GREEKS AIDED OPERATIONS
Effect of So Signal a Victory Ex-
pected to Show Itself in Further
Tension Between Belgrade and
Vienna-Newspapers Re-
feet Ill-Feeling.
[By Cable TO The Tribune.

London, Nov. 19.-The battle at
Tchataldja still continues, but in the
absence Of any news from the Bull
garian side 1t is impossible to get any
clear idea Of the progress of the fight
ing 1t would seem, however. that the
Turkish army, which has been rein
forced by fresh troops from Asia Minor,
is at least holding its own for the
present.
1t is reported that the Sultan is MAX
ing a direct appeal to the sovereigns
of Europe to decide upon an armed in
tervention to end the war
1t is claimed that the fall of Mcna-
stir is the biggest victory so far Sc
cured by the allies, surprising that Of
the Greeks at Salonica, and the pride
Of the Servians is deeply gratified.
The fighting lasted two days. The
Servians occupied all the high points
northwest Of the town and brought up
great number of field batteries with
seventeen howitzers and other heavy
guns, which were able to silence the
Turkish artillery fire.
On Saturday a Servian division was
ordered to take up a position OH the
heights TO the west of the town, so as
to cut off the retreat of the Turks. The
position was held by twenty thousand
Turks, with seventeen guns. Despite
great difficulties caused by the flooded
state of the country, Servian troops
from the Morava district, led by Colo
mel Nedics, after wading through deep
water, stormeG the position. This pre-
ing into Albania. The Servian attack
was from the north and west, and tho
advancing Greeks cut off the line of
retreat to the south.
Greek Army Near BY.
Nothing is said as to the part played
by the Greeks in the capture of the
town, but il is believed that the Greek
Crown Princes army is still some dis
tance away, having met considerable
resistance during his march at Florina
and Verbena.
Any idea that the Turkish govern
ment may have had of benefiting by
continued resistance must have been
shattered by yesterdays news of the
fall Of Monastir. In the capture OF
that important town the Servians took
three Pachas, including the commander
in chief, Zekki Pacha, 10000 men and
forty-seven guns, thus achieving the
greatest individual success Of the war.
Monastir was the second city of i'm
portance In European Turkey. 1t was
Turkeys stronghold in Macedonia, and
by it's downfall Macedonia passes COM
pletely out of Turkish hands.
1t is rumored in Belgrade that Scutari
has surrendered, but this is uncorrobo-
rated, and is probably more or less an
Intelligent anticipation" of events.
The Servians naturally will be elated
at this victory, which outshines the
capture of Salonica and must have
great moral effect on the future couIes
of the war.
Another Strange Silence.
Another of the strange silences which
have been characteristic Of this war
in the matter Of actual operations in
the field appears to have fallen over
Constantinople from which city only
brief dispatches have been received
telling of the resumption of the Tcha-
taldia battle and of the Sultan's fresh
pcrsonal appeal to the European SOW
ereigns to intervene for the termina-
ton of the war.
with cholera and typhus ravaging
ber demoralized army and poweriuI
enemy hammering at the gates OF the
capital. Turkey must again appeal 10
tho allies for terms. Undoubtedly the
object of the Bulgarian commanders III
ordering the attack on the IchataiuJ2
lines was to compel this course IL
seems incredible that Bulgaria for the
mere glory of triumphal entry into
citv she does not desire possession OF
should wish to take her army in;o -
disease infected zone.
The Turkish reports. even the ON
GERS official dispatches of the results
of the operations, have been SO unre-
liable throughout that little attention
can be paid to the reports of the Tcnat-
aldia battle issued in Constantinopie on
Sunday and Monday. The operation
probably was little more than an ar
tillery preparation. which in all i'm
portant battles lasts several days, for
the purpose of drawing, the enemy's
fire and establishing the location OF the
enemy's batteries.
AS the effect of the victory at Mon"
a stir will be to stiffen the Servian