The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-25
WAR OR PEACE.
CRISIS IN BALKAN SITUATION
COMES TO-DAY.
AL Delegations Hold Conferences at
London Hotels and Send Long
Cipher Tclcg9ams.

London, Dec. 22.-The crisis of the
Turkish and Balkan situation will be
reached tomorrow. If the Turks de-
eide to waive their demand for re-
victualling Adrianople, the allies will
present their terms for peace. The
conference can then proceed to the
discussion Of it's real business
Today the Turkish cabinet met and
telogra phed instructions to the Otto
man delegation. All the delegations
held conferences at their hotels and
dispatched long cipher kilograms to
their governments. The allies have
refused the Turkish request for the
provisioning Of AdrianOple, not only
because it would give the enemy a
great advantage in the event Of the
resumption Of lighting which would
not have been earned by arms, but
also because the delegates have not
the power to reopen military questions
which the Tchaltaja conferees who
signed the armistice, were given.
Opening another chapter Of warfare
is step which the allies don't invite
but for which they profess to be fully
prepared. While suspicion exists that
the Turks have been sparring to gain
time since the conference assembled
10 days ago. the consensus of opinion
is that the Turkish government will
recognize the situation and conclude
peace and that the political situation
in Constantinople dictates that course.
The advice which the principal pow
ers have been giving to Turky is in
the direction of peace.
The Bulgarians declare that if the
Turks are not ready to come to terms
and If none Of the powers offer ac-
ceptable mediation, the allies are
ready to resume the war Immediately
with great vigor and deeper feeling
that they will achieve ultimate VIC
tory because as they themselves ex-
press it, they "are fighting not only
for the independence Of the Balkans
but for Western civilization against
the traditional Eastern enemy"
Among the allies the claim is made
that the military position has been
greatly strengthened and if they must
reopen the war they can muster be-
tween Adrianople and Tchatalja $780,
600 men including 100, 900 Bulgarians
who are are veterans Of the November
battles, 10000 fresh and wen drilled
HGlgarians anxious 20 emulate their
brothers in arms: $4,000 Sorviars and
10000 Crooks Who can bc landed at
IeasAa-lA ana LDos ~, d moment .
notice.
Most Of the military men here be-
lieve the allies will not attack the
Tchatalja lines which have been re-
inforced with fresh troops and the for
tificatiors strengthened, but will await
the attacks OF the Turks behind their
entrenchments while pressing the
siege of Adrianople and forcing its
capitulation.
Both the Turkish and Bulgaria ar
mics are supposed to have constructed
new works at Tchatalja since they
gained much information regarding
the respective positions in the re-
cent fighting.
The Greek community in London
gave banquet tonight in honor of
the Greek delegates. The Greek min
ister j. Genaddius. presided. Pre-
mier VcneZclos was given great
ovation when he arose to speak and
there were cheers for Crete. The
2rcmier said that a victorious war
would not only spread the geograph-
ical boundaries of the nation but
strengthen the nations soul.
The Bulgarian minister gave
luncheon in honor OF the Bulgarian
delegates.
Gen. Danls. chief Of the Greek
star, In responding to a toast to the
Greek forces paid a high tribute to
the crown prince, who, he said, had
displayed such military virtues as to
prove himself one Of the greatest gem
erals in Europe. BY the work Of the
crown prince and the energies Of Pre-
mier Venezelos, Greece would become
a state to be reckoned with in Europe.