The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-17
Fighting Is in Progress All
Along the Boundary
Between European Turkey and
the Balkan States.
GREEKS FORCE A BLOCKADE
Two Hellenic GunbOats En-
gage a Fort at Prevesa.
Bulgarian and Servian Minis
ters Receive Their Passports.

London, Oct. 17.-War today became
general throughout the Balkan penin-
sula. Turkey, which for a week or
more has been fighting with Montene-
gro this morning issued formal de-
claration of, hostilities against Servia
| and Bulgaria.
Greece for some reason was not
| mentioned in the official document de-
livered to the Servian and Bulgarian
legations at Constantinople and the
Greek minister has not been asked to
| leave the Turkish capital as were his
| Servian and Bulgarian colleagues.
| The Turkish minister however, left
| Athens without the usual formality,
! fighting between the Turkish and
| Greek armies has begun on the 'front.'
| ier.
| Turkeys withdrawal of her troops
! from the immediate vicinity OF the
| Greek frontier and the ommiSsion OF
Greece from the declaration of war
were doubtless dictated by kiamil
Pasha, president of the council OF
state, real head of the Turkish gov
ernment. He has been desirous all
along of avoiding a fight with Greece,
whose interests, as he recently told the
Greek premier. are identical with
those of Turkey. He also desired to
cede the island of Crete to Greece.
places the blame Bulgaria and
Servia, whose recent actions, she says,
forced her to take a decisive step, al
though she was desirous of peace.
Although Turkey has anticipated the
Balkan states and ordered a stimuli
tapeous advance of her army against
Bulgaria and SerVia it is expected in
military circles, that the Servians and
Bu1garians will be ready to meet the
Turkish invading force by the time it
reaches the frontier.
How far preparations have gone,
however, is largely a matter of con-
lecture as neither military attaches
nor correspondents are allowed near
the armies. There is an inclination
among military men to think the i'm
portance of the Montenegro victories
has been. exaggerated and much made
of them in order to Green the struggle
that is going on for the possession of
the forts guarding the Tulxish town Of
Scutari.
The Montenegrins are fighting des-
Derately but they neglect the COM
missariat service and the hospitals
which are essential in such a cam
paign.
The British cabinet held long ses-
sion today to discuss the French pro-
posaI for a conference of the powers.
1t was also said that the British gov
ernment was supporting the efforts be-
ing made to raise a Tukish loan III
London but this was denied at the
foreign office. Leopold De Rothschild
has made several visits to Premier
SOUTH lately and it was said that
these were connected with the project
of a Turkish loan.
Fighting Begins Early.
Athens, Oct. 17.-Fighting between
the Greek army and the Turkish
forces stationed along the frontier be-
gan early TO-DAY.
day by the commanders of the Greek
gunboats A. and d. They made a |
dash at d. m to force the Turkish
blockade at the narrow entrance to |
the Gulf of Arta, one side of which !
is Turkish and the other Greek. They |
were observed from the Turkish fort
at Prevesa, which dominates the en- |
trance, and a heavy fire was directed |
on them, which they returned with |
spirit They succeeded in fighting |
their way through and finally reached |
the Greek town of Vonitza, on the |
southern shore of the bay with very |
little damage.
General Turkish Advance.
Constantinople, Oct. 17.-Hostilities
were opened at half past two this
various points on the Bulgarian and
Servian frontiers. The divisions of the !
Turkish army were ordered to make
a simultaneous forward movement.
advance the Ottoman war minister
mentioned only that the movement
was to be made against the frontiers
of Bulgaria and Servia. There is a
powerful Turkish army concentrated
near the Greek frontier but this has
not yet been put into motion
The Ottoman government today
handed the Servian and Bulgarian
ministers here their passports, and
they will leave Immediately.
Turkish Minister Leaves.
Athens. oct. 1.-THE Turkish min
lister to Greece left Athens today with
out complying with the formalities
usual in such cases and without ask
ing for passports.
Macedonia Reaches Algiers.
Algiers. Oct 17.--An escort of four
Greek destroyers is conveying the
Greek steamer Macedonia with
Greeks. Bulgarians and Servians on
board who are returning from Ameri-
ca to Join their regiments to fight
against the Turks. She carries also a
large cargo OF ammunition.
The Macedonia arrived here last
night from New York and found the
four destroyers recently purchased by
Greece in England waiting to accom-
pany her on her voyage.
Victory for Servians.
Belgrade, Oct. 1.-TWO hundred |
Arnaut tribesmen were killed today II.
a battle with Servian troops on the
frontier near Priopolie, in the north
ern part of the San Jakof Novipazar.
The tribesmen attacked but were re-
pulsed by the Servians.