The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-11-18
Battleships Plan
to Guard Capital

London. Nov. 17.-An international
demonstration OF unprecedented mag
nitude will be inaugurated by the bat
tleships of the powers now at anchor
in the harbor of ConstantinopIe at the
first sign OF a Moslem outbreak.
Dispatches tonight from the Turk
ish capital state that in the event Of
a complete Bulgarian victory at TSha-
talja, and subsequent march on the
city, the warships will rush all their
land forces into the city and formally
take possession of it before the de-
feated, hunger-crazed Turkish army
can fall back and begin the dreaded
massacre OF Christians.
This demonstration will not be I'M
dertaken as an act of hostility toward
the allies. but simply as a protective
measure against the outrages OF the
conquered Moslems. 1t is feared, how
ever, that the foreign marines will not
be able to subdue the fanatic hordes
of Moslems without a battle.
French Admiral in Charge.
The French admiral is in the charge of
the proposed investment of the city, and
is in daily conference with the other COM
manderS.
This action OF the warship commanders
sublime porte and the municipal govern
ment are ready to desert the city and full
fill their stated intention of fleeing across
the BosphOrus and setting up a capital
at Brusa, in Asia Minor.
A general attack is being waged along
the entire Tchatalja line tonight. The
fighting continued up TO a late hour last
night and then subsidized for several hours,
the Bulgarians evidently reforming their
lines and resting. At o'clock this morn
ing the onslaught was resumed, tho heavy
siege guns having been pushed ahead to
the surrendered Turkish positions, where
they have been belching forth a havy
cannonade practically all day.
Both wings Of the Turkish lines have
been turned back until now the line OF
defense is a semi-Circle. and the Bur
garianS are driving on toward the two
outlets OF the sea Of Marmora, tho Oar
danelles, and the Bosphorus.
The Turkish warships in the Sea Of
Marmora are doing their utmost to hcraSs
the advancing Bulgarians, but the shens
are doing little damage, owing to the
difficulty in locating the land forces
Negotiations Continue.
In the meantime the peace negotiations
are in progress, but little Roadway Is
being made owing to the dilatory tactics
being pursued by the Turkish govern
ment. The allies have submitted terms
for an armistice in reply to the Turkish
request for a cessation of hostilities
which stipulate what is tantamount to
an unconditional surrender. Tho Turks
are pickering for concessions which ad-
vices from all sources agree will not be
granted. Various versions of these Turk
ish demands are at hand. but the li1eliest
includes the proposal that
Crete be ceded to Greece in exchange for
the restoration of Saloniki and the
coastal districts occupied; that Adrian |
ople and Kirk-KiliSseh shall remain |
Turkish under a decentralized admins |
tration; that the Vilayets OF Uskup, |
Monastir, and Scutari be granted autono- !
nous powers If Bulgaria, Servia, and |
pay a yearly indemnity to !
Turkey, the government of these districts |
to be conferred in single representatives !
OF Turkey and each Of the Balkan states |
with its seat at Uskup; the railway to |
Saloniki to be completely free for exports |
Of all articles from Servia; KavaIa to be |
a free port of entry for Bulgaria, and |
San Giovanni de Medua a free port for |
and the Balkan states must |
not demand separate war indemnities.
The Montenegro forces have finally |
captured Giovanni de Medua, a port on
the Adriatic, and all contiguous terri
tory. Three thousand Turks who were
defending the port fled after offering
stubborn resistance.