New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-30
Sofia Report Indicates Sue
cessful Sweep of Bulgarian
Cavalry Around Turkish
Rear, Cutting OFF Con-
stantinople.
GREEK ARMS MEET SUCCESS
King Georges Forces Only Ninety
Miles Distant from Servian
Troops, Who Are Already
at Veles and
Advancing.
rBy cable to The Tribune.l

tBy cable to The Tribune
London, oct. 3O-A great battle.
which may finally decide the fate OF
the Turkish Empire In Europe, is now
evidently taking place. Late last night
a brief message was transmitted from
Constantinople to the effect that a tele-
gram had been received from Nazim
| Pacha, the Turkish commander i'm
chief, yesterday afternoon which stated
| that an important battle was i'm prog
, Tess along the Turkish front, and that
| his troops were gaining ground. This
was the only message TO come through
| from either side for many hours, an
| ominous silence which indicates that
| grave events are happening.
The silence was broken by report
from Sofia to the effect that Bulgarian
cavalry had captured Rodosto, a port
OF the Sea of Marmora, twenty miles
southwest of Tchorlu. This may be a
dramatic move to get round the Turk
ish right wing.
This report was followed by word of
an official announcement" i'm Con-
stantinople to the effect that the rail
way TO Kirk -Kilisseh was again In OPP
GRAFTON and that the Turks had begun
an offensive movement.
4 dispatch from the front to the Vi
emma Reichspost' says the Eastern
Bulgarian army, which is marching
southwark short distance from the
Black Sea coast, made further progress
yesterday. large mass of Turkish
troops were located on the Ergene
River, to the north of Tchorlu. and
fighting appears imminent.
II is officially announced that Com
mander Djafer Tayar Bey, attached to
the General staff, has advanced with
the Turkish army to Tirnovo. after
forced march, says a Constantinople
dispatch To THE Daily. Chronicle"
The Bulgarians were defeated in
battle in which both sides lost heavily
and the town was recaptured
The Turkish commander, adds the
dispatch, pursued his advantage and
drove the enemy further to the north,
where another engagement occurred,
both sides having in the meantime been
reinforced The Turks were again VIC
torlous. The Bulgarian losses were
considerable, especially in the cavalry.
In a Critical Position.
Whether the Turks are gaining
ground or not time, OF course, VIII
show, but in view OF the absolute un-
trustworthiness Of news from Turkish
sources the statement should be re-
ceived with reserve for the present
What is certain is that the main Turk
ish army is now fighting for its life.
Its principal lines Of communication
are cut and the bold tactics OF the Bull
garians have placed Nazim's force in a
critical position.
Nazim, with four army corps Is hold
ing the line from Tchorlu to Lule Bur-
gas. his front thus extending nearly
fifty miles. He appears TO be occupy
ing a perious position, with the Bull
garians on his left flank at Baba Eski
cutting him off from the army OF
Adrianople while the destruction Of the
bridge over the Tchorlu River prevents
him from obtaining reInforcements and
supplies from Constantinople.
Nazim Short OF Supplies.
Supplies are his greatest want, for
with the breaking down Of the Turkish
commissariat he is reported to be short
Of them already.
Should the great turning movement
now being attempted by the Bulga-
rians be successful Nazim Pacha might
be driven TO the west, toward Salonica,
leaving Constantinople at the mercy
of the invaders.
II is announced from Sofia that the
Bulgarians have abandoned the idea OF
storming Adrianople in favor OF invest
ment. as it is known the place Is short
OF provisions. This has caused disap-
pointment here, as the capture or
Adrianople has been daily expected.
lnlS uSClsiOH disV S''NS 'iSo W ;"
mors that the Bulgarians have suf-
fered a check near Adrianople.
To grasp the situation fully one
needs to remember how II stood a
fortnight ago, before any war existed
except that with Montenegro Then
the Turkish frontier was unviolsted
and the Ottoman armies held Adrian
ople and Kirk Kilisseh, as well as
Rodosta, Salonica, Uskub and Mona
stir. while behind Adrianople the
Turkish main army was massing and
reservists as they came TO the capital
were hurried northward In addition