In the Balkans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 10, 1913

The greater powers of Europe are bringing pressure to bear upon Servia and Montenegro to cause them to cease military operations in Albania and retire beyond her boundaries. The threat of a naval demonstration is held over these little countries in case they do not comply. The powers have warned Montenegro that she has nothing to expect from continued operations against the city and fortress of Scutari. It is the intention to make that city the capital of independent Albania. Despite the warning, the Montenegrins have continued to bombard Scutari. It was expected that the fall of Adrianople would greatly dishearten the Turkish troops defending the Tchataldja fortifications, and make the capture of these fortifications, which stand between the Bulgarians and Constantinople, much easier; but the Turks have fought desperately there, and seem to have been more than holding their ground. There has been great loss of life on the part of the Bulgarians and Servians in their attempts to carry the Tchataldja line of defense. Reports that are now beginning to come in indicate that there has been terrible suffering among the ranks of attacking armies before Adrianople and Tchataldja. Men have been frozen to death on picket duty, and have even frozen in their tents. They have not been allowed to kindle fires lest the smoke disclose their positions to the Turkish gunners. Turkey refuses to yield farther than she has already, the allies refuse to accept the recommendations of the powers except as a basis of negotiations, and the powers can decide upon no mode of action, mutually satisfactory, by which to compel compliance with their wishes. So the war drags on. Reports from Austria, claiming to be authentic, state that when this war is brought to a close, Austria intends to begin a war on her own account. If this occurs, the result is certain to be a greater and more disastrous war than the one which seems now drawing to a close through the exhaustion of the combatants.