The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-20
Ottoman Troops Appear to Be Acting on the
 Defensive
ADRIANOPLE IS
 STRATEGIC POINT
Turkish Fleet Begins Bombardment of Varna--Turkish Force Reported Cut to Pieces by Montene-
 grin Troops

London, October 19.-Along the noun tainous front of 200 miles, from Kirk Kilisseh in the east to Uskup in the west. l the advance of the allied arplies into Fur key continues. The Turkish army ap- pears to be acting on the defensive. Its outposts are slowly withdrawing and are attempting only to screen the way for l mobilization while the main forces are marching toward the frontier
 Only small engagements which give nc idea of the mettle of the combatants have occurred thus far The censorship has been so complete and erfective that Flu rope has few details except that tn, largest armies in the field on the conti- nent since 1870 are preparing for death struggle.
 Adrianople Strategic Point Adrianople and Uskup are being watched as the strategic points for the first great battle. Adrianople is defend ed by modern fortresses with 300 of the most modern guns. It is the main gate way to Turkey and should give the in- vaders a long siege. The town of Mus tapha Pasha, Y miles to the north, al ready has fallen into the hands of the Bulgarians and the meagre announce ments of the event indicate without seri- ous resistance.
 The approach to Uslxup Is more diffi- cult. The Servian and Bulgarian armies are likel yto follow two roads, one from koestenil in Bulgaria, through Palanka pass, which is strongly fortified on the Turkish side, the other aiong the main line of the railroad from seryia.
 Taking of Mustapha Pasha was the most important event reported today. The Turkish fleet, the size of which has been kept secret but probably few small craft, was engaged in bombarding the Bulgarian port of Varna this after noon.
 Turks Cut to Pieces Reports received by way of Vienna say an irregular Turkish force of 20oo men was ambushed and cut to pieces by the MonttneE'rins In an etten'pt to fecapture Berana
 The whereabouts Of the Creek fleet are unknown but one report has 1t that the fleet has sailed to find Turkish ships. while the Greek government has proclaimed a blockade ot part of the southern coast of Turkey
 The Montenegrin advance was stopped before Taraboch which blocks the way to Scutari. The Greeks have crossed the border by three roads at ;he eastern end of the frontier. Tur- key Is apparently concentrating her at tention on her Slav foes in the north. It is believed she will detach only q comparatively small force to deal with the Greeks In the beginning
 The Turkish legations deny all re- ports that Turkish army doctors are preparing to scatter disease germs. These denials are made in reply to q dispatch received yesterday in Lon- don and vouched for by the Greek min ister that Turkish doctors had gone to Janina, In the south of Albania, near the Grecian frontier. carrying with them typhus and cholera microbes.
 Servians Massacred
 Turkish bands massacred today the inhabitants of three Servian villages southwest of the town of Krushevatz According 10 news agency dispatch from Belgrade the Turks crossed the Servian frontier from the Novipazar district, attacked the village and then retired. The advance of the Monte negrin army on Scutari has been checked by the Turkish troops. &C., cording to dispatch from Saloniki The Montenegrins are said to be in n tTllltdl pociliOh iV'VVV hibdtioH tribesmen are cooperating with the Turkish troops.
 A Constantinople dispatch says the army Is advancing toward Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. through the Djuma Pass in the Rhodope mountains, while another contingent is marching on Philippopolis through Timrush.
 Bombard Varna
 Constantinople, October 19s-The Turkish fleet arrived off yarna at 6 o'clock this morning and began a bom- bardment at o'clock this afternoon.
 varna Is the principal Bulgarian port of the Black sea between Kustendle and the Bosphorus. Notification has al- ready been received at the various em- bassies that a blockade of Varna and Burghas, to the south, had been begun by Turkey.
 varna Is memorable for the battle fought there In 1444. in which the whelmed the Hungarian army com manded by King Ladislas It has a population of about 35,0o0.
 Denies Montenegrin Victory
 The war office denies the Montenegrin reports of the capture of six Turkish battalions and large quantity of munl-
 
 Tushi has fallen. Up to the present there has been no serious fighting on the Bull garian frontier. Everywhere the Turkish forces are reported showing alertness and determination not to be caught asleep.
 The transfer of former Sultan Abdul Hamid from the place where he has beer, confined outside of Saionik to Constan- tinople was sanctioned by the Sultan to- day after the council of ministers had taken this step. The change is consid- cred inopportune.
 Turkish successes fin engagements with the Servian and Montenegrin troops are reported in special dispatches from Salon. Xxi and Uskup.
 Strict orders have been Issued by the civil and military officials fin Rumelia to insure the safety of the Christian pop ustion. Those proved guilty of attack Ing peaceful inhabitants are to be ex- ecuted. The minister of war declares Turkeys enemies are of inferiop> mili- tary ability and vaior Besides courage he says the Turkish soldiers should givs an example of their respect for humani- tartan laws.a
 Greeks Occupy Elassona
 Athens, Greece October 19.-The Greek army, under command of Grown Prince Constantine. after four hours' fighting today. dislodged the Turks from strong positions commanding Elassona. near the Grecian frontier. The Greeks then oc- 
 (Ccstinsea sa Pass Teal