The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-04


of the borabardment by the Bulgarlans
and Servians which was resumed with
even more intensity today, according
to advices received from the front.
London. Feb. A full division OF
Bulgarian infantry advanced 10 the
attack of Adrianople today under COW
er of a fierce bombardment, accord
ing TO a news agency dispatch from
Sofia. The result is not yet known
Constantinople. Feb. 4.-The gar
rison of Adrianople easily repulsed at
+acks last night by the Bulgarians on
the north and east fronts of the fort
ross according to the official report
issued here today No serious fight
ing has occurred yet along the Tchat-
ALA lines, but the Bulgarian troops
are not idle. The village or TchatalJa,
which has hitherto marked the limit
of the Bulgarian lines, is in flames
Its destruction was apparently declo-
ed on today
and Turkish troops took place at
Malatepe, near Gallipoli, today.
Terrific Bombardment.
London. Feb A terrific lombard
ment of the forts around Adr1anople
was begun last evening by the Bull
garians and Servians surrounding the
the
most at the moment of the conclusion
of the armistice, at o'clock, siege
guns and field guns from various points
commanding the forts opened fire Not
even the residential portion of the city
was spared
There is considerable difference OF
opinion as to how long the fortress will
be able to hold out. One dispatch from
Mustapha Pasha today which report
ed that the heavy cannonade continued
throughout the night, concluded with
the prophecy made by the Bulgarian
staff that two weeks would suffice for
the besiegers to force the Turks to
capitulate.
Military men. however, who know
something about the several lines of
forts which form the defenses of
Adrianople-for the outer ring which
the besiegerS have been facing since
the war began is conducted with and
supported by other circles of forts just
as strong-Iook for a prolonged defense
by the besieged garrison which COM
prises many of the best of the Turkish
regular troops. This opinion apparent
" prevails within Adrianople itself
Otherwise the foreign consuls there
would not have considered it necessary
to ask their ambassadors to secure an
escort for the foreign residents who
desire to pass through the lines or pro-
lection for those who remain within the
gates.
Will Not Surrender.
Shukri Pasha, the Turkish COM
mander who is defending Adrianople,
has declared that he will not surren-
der the fortress until the last of his
soldiers have been killed. While there
have been some desertionS from the
ranks of the garrison. these have been
chiefly Christian soldiers serving with
Turkish regiments. Shukri Pasha still
has some 10000 men, a number which
is considered quite sufficient to man
the forts and hold at bay the much
greater besieging force. The Bulgar-
ians are said to have 5000 men in
the province of Thrace with $4,000
Servian soldiers and perhaps a few
divisions of Greeks assisting them.
The greater part of this force, how
ever. is compelled to remain in front
of Tchatalja and at Gallipoli, in order
to hold the Turkish armies concen-
trated at those places. 1t is possible
that the allies may attack one or both
of these positions. If they could clear
Gallipoli of Turkish troops and at
tack the Dardanelles straits, this
would give free passage to the Greek
fleet, which would then be able to
render some assistance at Tchaltalja.
On the other hand the winter season
is so unfavorable for offensive opera
tions that the allies may decide to let
the Turks make the first move from
Tchatalja. The Ottoman army at
Tchatalja has greatly improved dur
better armed than they were Sick
ness among them has diminished,
supplies have been brought up in
great quantities and fresh troops now
man the string of powerful forts
The great drawbacks to the success
of the Turks are the political quar-
rels among the Ottoman officers,
which must tend to undermine the
efficiency of the army.
On the other side OF the Balkan
peninsula Scutari, where the Monte
negrins are besieging the fortress. is
reported through the correspondent of
a Dutch newspaper to have fallen
There is no confirmation of this report
from any other source.
British and German warships pass
ed through the Dardanelles yesterday
for the protection of the foreign resi-
dents of Constantinople and a fleet of
warships belonging to other powers is
anchored in Besika bay ready for any
emergency.
Ottawa Wrestler Gets Draw.