The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-23
MOntenegrin Troops Take City
After Long Siege.
Reason for War Against Tur-
key Is Carried Out.
CAPTURE COST 5000 men
Turks Lost 5000 and MOntene.
grins Only 5000.
Peace Situation Is Complicated
by Battle.

Cettinje, April 23.-After a final des-
perate attack lasting "a hours, the
Montenegrin troops forced their way
into Scutari. The fortress for six
months, since the middle of October,
1912, has offered a stubborn defense.
The assault which gave the Mon
tenegrins possession of the city which
has been the object of their war
against Turkey. began on Monday
night. The Montenegrin army took the
offensive along the entire front. They
surprised the Ottoman defenders by
pushing right up to the Turkish posi-
tions, where they engaged in bayonet
fighting. The Ottoman soldiers made
number of counter attacks and tried
with their utmost energy to drive the
attacking force out of their works but
they were finally compelled to fall back
and leave their positions in the hands
of the besiegers who received constant
reinforcements.
1t was midnight last night when the
Montenegrins obtained their footing in
the fortress and detachments of the
besiegers entered the city at o'clock
this morning.
According to one report Essaad Pa
sha, the Turkish commander-in-ch chief,
recognized the uSelessness of further
resistance after the outlying key posi-
ton of Tarakosch had fallen. He is
to cease defense of the fortress. An
other report says that the Montenegrin
n-chief had been negotiat-
ing since Monday with Essaad Pasha
for the surrender of the place.
Still another account says that the
Turkish troops defended the city until
the last. Although the Servian troops
did not participate in the final attack,
their artillery was used by the Mon
enegrin gunners and it is said to this
fact their success was largely due.
The act IF capitulation was signed by
the Turkish commander shortly after
the Montenegrin troops had reached
the center of the city.
How the Powers View 1t.
London April 23.-While the capture
of Scutari by the Montenegrin troops is
believed in European capitals to have
complicated the situation created by
the decision of the great powers to in
clude Scutari in the future state of
Albania the opposite view is held in
Balkan circles.
There the opinion prevails that the
Montenegrins have accomplished the
object they have aimed al since the
beginning of the war, will find it more
easy to accept the decision of the
great powers and that the latter on
the other hand will be more ready to
grant her a rectification of her frontier
which will satisfy her.
The long defense of Scutari under
Essaad Pasha was made by an army
estimated at about 10000 men who also
had to guard the outlying stronghold of
Tarakosch and other connecting works
surrounding the city. This t5ey did so
well that the Montenegrins could not
make any impression until a few weeks
ago until their Servian allies brought
up a large number of heavy siege guns
which soon reduced the fire of the
Turkish artillery. The Montenegrins
are said to have lost 5000 killed and
the Turks 5000 killed during the siege.
Nothing has yet been decided as to
the continuance of the blockade of the
Montenegrin coast which was insti-
tuted on account of the refusal of the
Montenegrins to abandon the siege of
Scutari at the order of the powers. |
Only a few days ago an ultimatum was
sent to King Nicholas of Montenegro |
by the commander of the blockading
fleet informing him that landing |
parties would be sent ashore unless the |
wishes of the powers were carried out |
In the meantime the Montenegrin army |
was continuing its operations. Most OF
the civilian population remained in
Scutari throughout the siege. The in |
ha bitants included about q. 900 Moham- |
nedans and 5000 Christians. 1t was /
said at various times that the people !
of Scutari were in a condition of semi
starvation. but IT now appears that
there were considerable quantities of
grain and other stores within the city
and that the people suffered most from
lack of vegeta bleS.
City Is in Ruins.
Vienna, April 23.-The greater part
of the city of Scutari IS in ruins as a
result of the six months lombard
meut, according to dispa tches received
here today.
Rome, April 23.-The capture of
Scutari by the Montenegrin troops has
caused a great impression here The
success of the Montenegrins has COM
plicated the situation as Montenegro
will undoubtedly refuse to evacuate
the city This will make coercive
measures by the European powers
more difficult than when they only
aimed at forcing Montenegro to aban-
don the siege.
Gnnn NIGHT kEMp