BALKAN WARS 394 BALKAN WARS the overthrow of the ruling power in 1908 by the Young Turk party, and by the series of wars carried on with Italy by Turkey for the possession of the Tripolitan hinterland. The result of the policy carried on by the Young Turks on their accession to power in 1908 served to draw together the Christian nationalities in the Balkan peninsula in common hatred of the Turks. As a result of this, by the close of 1910, the Bulgarians and Greeks in Mace- donia, who had hitherto been bitter ene- mies, became reconciled and this was fol- lowed by friendly relations between the governments of Greece and Bulgaria. Another result of the policy of the new Turkish regime was disorder and insur- rection in Albania where formerly the tribesmen had been loyal to the Ottoman Empire. The Young Turks, however, un- dertook to abridge their privileges and deprive them of arms. Thereupon they rose in revolt. In August, 1912, the Albanians submitted to the Turkish Gov- ernment a number of demands which in- cluded the establishment of military and civil reforms. The Turkish Government delayed in replying to these demands and had made no reply when the first Balkan War broke out. Both Montenegro and Serbia were directly concerned with the Albanian situation. A similar policy created a like situa- tion in Macedonia, and the Greek, Ser- bian, and Bulgarian inhabitants of that province received the sympathies of their own nationalities. Massacres by Turks in Bulgaria, Serbia, and Thessaly in 1912 added to the rising tide of hostility on the part of these nations toward Turkey. This situation became so threatening by October, 1912, that the Great Powers had united in an attempt to prevent war. These attempts, however, failed. On Oct. 13, 1912, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece dispatched an identical note to Turkey demanding the establishment of a com- plete autonomy under Christian govern- ment within six months. Upon receipt of this note Turkey immediately with- drew her representatives from the cap- itals of these countries. This was fol- lowed on Oct. 17 by a declaration of war against Turkey by Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Hostilities began at once. The mili- tary plans of the four Balkan powers nad been well perfected, while the Turk- ish military organization had fallen into a state of inefficiency and unreadiness. The Balkan forces advanced rapidly into Turkish territory. On Oct. 19 a Bul- garian army of over 300,000 men oc- cupied Mustapha Pasha, and Kirk-Kilis- seh on Oct. 24. Adrianople was sur- rounded by Oct. 27 and continued in a state of siege thenceforward. The Bulgarian army on Oct. 29 won the bloody battle of Lule Burgas, which was the chief engagement of the war. It resulted in the utter defeat of the Turk- ish armies with a loss of over 35,000 men. The Turks now retreated to Tchorlu and then fell back behind the strong Tchatalja forts, the last line of defensives at Constantinople. The Bul- garian attempts to carry this line failed. On Nov. 13 the Turks opened negotia- tions for armistice, but their terms were rejected on Nov. 20. Five days later, however, a meeting was arranged be- tween Bulgarian and Turkish command- ers. These resulted in the preparation of a protocol for an armistice to last until the end of peace negotiations. The Serbians also obtained quick suc- cess over the Turkish armies. This cam- paign ended in the capture of Durazzo. In the meantime the Greeks, under the leadership of Crown Prince Con- stantine, had invaded Macedonia and won a number of easy successes. Saloniki was captured on Nov. 8. Entrance of Bul- garian and Serbian troops into the city on the following day gave evidence of jealousy among the Allies. The Greek Government declined to agree to the armistice terms and continued opera- tions on land and sea. During the autumn and winter the Greeks captured the ^gean Islands not already occupied by Italy. The Montenegrin army met with successes and defeated Turkish forces in several encounters. During the progress of hostilities, rep- resentatives of the Great Powers had continued their efforts in behalf of peace. The chief difficulty was found with the members of the Triple Alliance, espe- cially Austria, which was hostile to any movement which would give Serbia a port on the Adriatic, or would cut off Austria-Hungary from the road to Sa- loniki. It was finally agreed that repre- sentatives of the Powers should confer in London and such a conference was held. Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Turkey sent delegates to this conference. Greece insisted on being represented also, although she was still carrying on war against Turkey. Turkey refused to yield the territorial demands of the Allies and hostilities were resumed in Feb. 3, 1913. The Turks again sustained a num- ber of defeats. The Great Powers again on March 1 offered mediation and two weeks later the Balkan Allies accepted. After a long deliberation Turkey agreed to accept the lines laid down by the Allies, leaving for future discussion other
