New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-03
WAR IN THE BALKANS
MUST Be FOUGHT OUT
Sofia Government States That
Continued Servian Attacks
Constitute CaSuS Belli.
GREEK KING AT THE FRONT
Sanguinsry Fighting Report
ed, 1000 Serbs Killed or
Wounded and 1000
Bulgars Prisoners.
by Cable to The Tribune.l

10y tdpit W Ht iAibuHtsj
London, July 3.-Once more a grave
turn is given to the Balkan crisis. A
warning that practically amounts to an
ultimatum has been delivered by Bull
garia to Servia and Greece. The gov
ernments Of the two allies were told
they had twenty-four hours in which
to order their armies to cease attacks.
That period expired last night, and a
Sofia message states that as Servia had
continued fighting the Bulgarian head
quarters staff considered this consti-
tutes a casus belli.
AS against this the Greek govern
ment presented at Sofia a note charg-
ing the Bulgarian army with agrees
sion and casting upon Bulgaria all re-
sponsibility for the results.
In its turn the Servian government,
Through its official organ, denounces
Bulgaria for opening hostilities, and
expresses confidence in the ultimate
victory of Servian arms.
on the whole. although the powers
continue TO make urgent representa-
tons in the Balkan capitals, the situa-
tion is more menacing than at any mo-
ment since the beginning of the pres
ent quarrel Sanguinary fighting APP
pears TO have been in progress during
the last three days all along the line,
in spite OF the fact that there has been
no official declaration Of war.
A Belgrade dispatch dated yester,
day, announces that the King of Ser
via is presiding at a Cabinet council
which is expected TO decide to declare
war on Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian government has adj
dressed an urgent appeal TO Russia,
according TO a Sofia dispatch to The
Times" invoking Intervention at Ath-
ems and Belgrade in the hope Of pre-
serving peace. Bulgaria undertakes TO
abstain from any hostile movement for
twenty-four hours. says the dispatch,
But l'IIo AIlaA a i'iiS'l Suspension Va
hostilities will be impossible owing
TO the excitement among the troops.
Belgrade, July 2--AlthouCh the war has
now ragged for sixty hours the bulgarian
minister and his staff are still here. Tcle-
phonic communication between Belgrade
and Sofia has ceased.
Army headquarters report that the Ser
vians. after capturing Istip. pursued the
enemy. capturing over a hundred officers
and a thousand men.
Press dispatches report that sanguinary
fighting has occurred at Ovtchcpolye,
where the Bulgarian losses were enor-
nous and 1900 Bulgarians surrendered.
In this engagement 1000 servians were
killed and wounded According TO the
best information TO be obtained at the
Servian capital. the battle line extended
from Kotchana, Istip and Strumitza tow
ard Guevghel. and thence onward TO the
Gulf Of Orfani
The Bulgarians delivered their heaviest
blows at Guevgheli. where they severed
the Greco-Servlan line. and at Istip. They
still hold Guevgheli. but were driven from
Istip eventually with heavy losses toward
Ovtchepolye. where the Servian army was
massed. The Servian supporting forces.
coming Up in time. met the Bulgarians at
Dermak and Petrishino. behind Kotchana.
where a fierce fight ensued. The Bull
garians suffered heavily the Servians
capturing an important height near Osi-
govt. called Retkibukwe.
on the other side II Guevgheli the
Greek armies are concentrated. and the
Bulgarisns risk getting caught between
two fires.
Unconhrmed dispatches tonight report
further heavy ighting in the lsip dis
trict in which the Servians were COM
PEELED to abandon their fortified positions
at the town Of Istip and leave behind
their wounded.