GREEK SHUFFLING MUST BE ENDED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2596, 19 October 1915, Page 5

GREEK SHUFFLING MUST BE ENDED

A PLAIN QUESTION: "FRIEND OR FOE?" SUGGESTED BLOCKADE OF GREEK COAST V By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, October 16. A strong feeling of distrust of Greece, is developing, especially since the refusal of M. Zaimis of Serbia's appeal under the treaty to resist Bulgaria. The "Times" says: "Time passes in the Balkans, yet the Allies are without a clear and definite knowledge of the intentions of Greece. It is imperative to learn without delay if Greece is with us or against us. It is impossible for the Allies to acquiesce in the disingenuous interpretation of M. Zaimis. E iB a perfectly plain obligation upon Greece to announce her decision now in no uncertain voice, and to remember that her decision will be irrevocable." "These are Desperate Tlmas." The "Morning Post" says that the simple position is that Greece pledged herself to defend Serbia if the latter were attacked by Bulgaria. That, position, has arisen, and Greece has to make .good or break her word. In the latter case, no one will henceforth make a treaty with Greece. "These are desperate times," says the "Post," "and it is absolutely necessary to know who aro our friends and who are our enemies. If Greece refuses to fight on our side, the navies of tho Entente must treat her as an enemy and blockade the Greek coast. The seizure of Greek shipping and all tho Greek islands will be the logical reply to a refusal to assist Serbia." A POINTED REMINDER, ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) The Italian newspaper "Corriere delli Sera" publishes an interview with M. Venizelos, granted: on September 29, which affords a crushiug reply to the German attempts to parallel the landing at Salonika with the invasion of Belgium. M. Venizelos then said 1 : , "We ashed the Powers of tho Entente whether they would be disposed to send us troops In case Bulgaria, by attacking Serbia, obliges us to help our ally. The Entente replied in the affirmative." The statement shows that the Allies' troops landed a Salonika at tho formal request of Greece. Paris,\ October 16. The Paris "Matin's" Athens correspondent says that M. Venizelos, iii an interview, said: "Nobody desires ri'cre than I the early and complete success of the Allies. Nobody is more firmly convinced of their final triumph." GREEKS' TREATY OBLIGATIONS SIFTED. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, October 16. The "Times" correspondent at Athens states: The negative reply from Grecce to the Serbian appeal for aid is based on the S'erbo-Grecian treaty, which is purely Balkan, while the Bulgarian attack on Serbia ib an incident of the European war. Serbia, by implication, recognised the limit of the scope of the allianco by breaking off relations with Bulgaria and "requesting the help of tho Entente without any previous agreement with her ally, Greece. It vas thus evident that Greece was under no obligation to lend military aid to Serbia. ' It was to the interest of both countries that Greece should continue neutral since intervention would bo a sacrifice without the least hope of saving Serbia, yet she gives an assurance that she uill givo all help compatible with tne international situation. , . The "Times" comments: "Tins interpretation of the obligations nf Giceco does not commend itself to the Allied Governments, who await a more satisfactory explanation of Greece's policy." GERMAN RUMOUR OF DIPLOMATIC RUPTURE AUSTRIAN PRINCE AND STAFF 'AT ATHENS. Copenhagen, October 16. The "Cologne Gazette's" Athens correspondent says that the Russian and' Italian Ministers are preparing to leave Greece. Their families procced by a .warship to Italy. , . . London, Octjb ;r 17. Reuter's Athens correspondent cenies tho impending departure of diplomatists. , Athens, October 17. The Austrian Prince 'Wiuai-'digraoiz and his staff havo arrived. ——— ( OVERSEA GREEKS HIGHLY INDIGNANT. Tientln, Oot'iber 16. The entire Greek community in North China has cablcd to Athens croitsting against M. Zaimis's 'nterpretation of the Graeco-Serbian treaty. Thcro is the livelist indignation here. Sydney, October 17 ; The Greek community of Svdney passed & resolution-entirely sympathising with tJie Allies.

KING CONSTANTINE AND HIS GERMAN BROTHER-IN-LAW FRANCO-BRITISH DIPLOMATS NOT IN HARMONY, (Rec. October 18, 9.15 p.m.) London, October \ <■ Dr. Dillon (Special Correspondent in the 'Neai' East for the "Daily Telegraph") reports from Rome that tho Italian newspapers are commenting oil Sir Edward Grey's recent spoccli on tho Balkan situation. They Frankly discuss the imperfect harmony wliieh has lately prevailed in tho French Cabinet, and between tho French CJabinct and tlio British Foreign Office. liio uettspapers point oufc that this dissiclenco has been romedietl by the sacrilico 01 M. Delcasse (French Foreign Minister). t . Dr. Dillon affirms thnt Greece's attitude was conditioned by & i . 1 ,! j arrangement between the Kaiser and King Consfcantine, which can be modineti in our favour only by the irresistible pressure oil circumstances, which have vet to be created. King Constantino's object is to redeem tiio pledge wliicli was given to his brother-in-law without incurring the anger ot tho Allies, Whoso command of the seas puts Greece at their mercy. Hence M. Venizeios is being kept ready for the emergency. WHAT WILL RUMANIA DO ? RUMOURS OF SIMMERING REVOLT. ' Bucharest, October 17. The Council of Ministers has decided to continue strict neutrality, taking all necessary military measures on the frontiers. AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. London, October 17. Rumania's decision ,to remain neutral is not oonfirmed. KING WARNED TO HESITATE NO LONGER. London, October 17. The "Daily Chronicle's'' Home correspondent says that the campaign at Bucharest in favour of armed intervention on tho side of the Quadruple Towers is assuming grave and almost anti-dynastic proportions. The independent newspapers warn the King of the danger of revolution if h ' wttai'Sß *. .* -I- »*■■*» ""» tack on Serbia. A GERMAN LIE REFUTED. Petrograd, October 17. An official statement denies the Wolff Agency's tbat the Ru ss ians' intention is .to violate Rumanian territory in order to attack Bulgaria. PROGRESS OF THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN SERBIANS STILL HOLDING. UP THE ENEMY Paris, October 17. The German attempt to surround the Serbian left near Semendria was KH mllsed with enormous losses. The Bulgarians are stubbornly attacking in the Timok region hop'ng to join up with General von Mackensen. The Serbians, entrenched on th» lulls near Belgrade, and strongly supported by artillery, are repeatedly repelling assaults. ___ HEAVY ATTACK BY THE BULGARIANS.. Roma, October 17. "II Secolo" states that''so,ooo Bulgarians attacked the Serbians on Wednesday in the region of Doiran. Obstinate fighting continues. SUCCESSFUL SERBIAN COUNTER-OFFENSIVE. Paris, October 17. The Athens correspondent of the "Matin" states that tho Serbians, with the assistance of French troops, obliged the Bulgarians to retire. The Serbians further north advanced towards Strummtea and, moreover, assumed a counter-offensive on tho Save, and tlircw back detachments of tho Gnem T V he to Kris" dSSWrSerbians have retaken the positions at Pisana and' Bonkva which the Bulgarians captured on luesday. BULGARIAN ATTACKS ON THE FRENCH TROOPS. (Rec. October IS, 6 p.m.) - Athens, October 17. The French troops in Macedonia are receiving their baptism of lire near the railway bridge at Valandova, where 40,000 Bulgarians are attacking. Fighting is proceeding. SERBIAN BRAVERY COMPLIMENTED BY THE GERMANS.

(Rec. October 19, 0.55 a.m.) ' London, October 18. Two German newspapers pay a tribute to the heroic bravery of the Serbians. The Crown Prince of Serbia directed the defences of Belgrade to the last and never thought of flight until the enemy was within the town, when he escaped with a captain. The General Staff and the rest' of the staff were either captured or killed in the fighting. BULGARIANS REPULSED BY ALLIES AND SERBIANS ' (Rec. October 18, 11.35 p.m.) London; October 18. Reuter's 'Athens correspondent reports that it is unofficially stated that the Serbians and the Allies at Valandovo repulsed the Bulgarians, who are retreating to Strunmitza. The Bulgarians are disappointed at the smalluess of the German forces. Diplomatio circles state tlxat General yon Mackensen has demanded reinforcements to continue the offensive on the whole front. Ho admits that the a'dvance is slow, and will cost a great effort. HEAVY FIGHTING AT KUMANOVO (Rec. October 18, 11.35 p.m.) London, Ootober 18. The Bulgarians are striking at Kumanovo, which the Allies are seeking to Teach, and to fortify./it before the Bulgarians are ablo to separate th© Serbians from the Allies. I . • . Athens messages 6tate that 40,000 are attacking Valandovo and the Houdovo bridge. The fighting was continued at midday on Sunday without' the Bulgarians 'securing a* decisive result. v IMMINENT FALL OF STRUMNITZA. (Rec. October 18, 11.30 p.m.) New York, Otcober 18.' Reuter's correspondent reports that the Allies are attacking Strunmitza (on the Serbo-Bulgarian frontier), and that, the fall of the place is imminent-. THE LATEST-ALLIES OCCUPY STRUMNITZA (Reo. October 19. 1.50 a.m.) Athens, October 18. Official.—Tlio Allies have occupied the Bulgarian town of Strunmitza. The protection of the railway from Salonika, is now assured. GENERAL SARRAIL TO COMMAND THE ALLIES FURTHER LANDINGS SWELL THE NEW ARMY. Paris, October 17. The "Matin" states that large numbers of British troops have been landing at Salonika since Friday. m General Sarrail has taken over the command of the Allies' troops. The British and Italian military attaches, and various British Generals, participate in the discussions. ALLIED 'ARMY; LEAVES FOR THE FRONT. London, October 17. The Allies' forces left Salonika on Saturday for the Serbo-Bulgarian frontier.. ___ VON MACKENSEN'S CALCULATIONS UPSET Paris, October 1". 'Ail official communication, referring to the Balkans, emphasises the significance of the Germans' attempt to secure Turkish soldiers to fill the places ot says that General von Mackensen is greatly depressed by Serbia's unexpected resistance, which has upset his calculations, and necessitated tlio Bulgarian attack earlier than was intended. NEW GERMAN SUBMARINE BASE AT VARNA. Athens, October 16. Skilled German artisans from Constantinople are putting together submarines, which have rcachcd Varna in sections. HOW TSAR FERDINAND EXPLAINS HIS ACTION "LET OUR FELON NEIGHBOUR BE CRUSHED." Sofia, October 16. King Ferdinand, in liis manifesto, says:—"l and my Government havo striven through neutrality to realise the nation's ideals. Both groups of tho belligerent groat Powers'recognise that a great injustice has been done us by the division of Macedonia, and both arc agreed that the bulk ought to belong to Bulgaria. Onr treacherous neighbour, Serbia, alono remained indexible. "In face of t'lio advice of bcr friends, tho Allies, SerbUi in her »iumosi{£ j.iu! cupidity, has attacked our territory aud forced our bnu'a trouus to llgiH • t in the dafftucfi of their own. soiL

"In 1912 our clear national ideals alone compelled mo to call iny valiant army to a struggle in which wo unfurled the banners of liberty and broke the chains of servitude. Our Serbian Allies were the principal pause of our losing Macedonia. , "Exhausted and fatigued, hut not conquered, wo were compelled to fold up our banners and await hotter days. They have arrived much quicker than could have been expected. The Kuropoan war is Hearing a close, tho Central Empire's victorious armies .iro in Serbia, and advancing rapidly. "I call tho Bulgarian nation and army to the defence ot tho country, which has been sullied bv a felonious neighbour, and to the deliverance of our enslaved brethren from the Serbian yoke. ' Our cause is just and sacred. I therefore command my valiant army to drive tho enemy from tho limits of our kingdom. Let our felon neighbour bo crushed.' FRANCE OFFICIALLY,* DECLARES WAR, New York, October 17. A Reuter message from Paris states that France has declined"- war oil Bulgaria. A LITTLE SPADE-WORK FOR THE ALLIES IN ALBANIA. Rome, October 16. Essad Pasha has arrested many Bulgarian emissaries at Durazzo for conducting a propaganda against the Quadruple Entente. LITTLE PROSPECT OF ITALIAN ••HELP. (Rec. October 18, 11.30 p.m.) London, October 18. The latest news shows that there is little prospect of Italy sending an army to tho Balkans, tliougli she hints at assisting in other directions. OUR WAR IN THE DARDANELLES MINING, COUNTER-MINING, AND ARTILLERY DUELS Paris, October 17. A communique states:—The first fortnight of October at the Dardanelles was calm. Attempts to approach our f/renches by 'means of mines were stopped by counter-mines. The Turkish artillery was active, _ but mefrecfcive, thanks to tho -superiority of our battery. Our aircraft daily bombarded the enemy's various establishments and camps. "TRAGIC ELOQUENCE" OF GALLIPOLI CASUALTIES London, October 17. Commenting 011 the Dardanelles casualties, the "Daily News" says:— "Nothing could add to the tragic oloqtieiico of these figures. The Government has a heavy resjwnsibility in the matter of the Dardanelles, and there is necessity for a decision, as the future will make them heavier. A laymen's debate on a critical military problem. would not be wise, hut silence must not bo misinterpreted. The country has long been, viewing the Gallipoli campaign with profound concern, and in some respects with profound misgiving. Ifoii even the sacrifices of the past must fetter the strategy of tho future." "The "Daily Express' appeals for unity among the leaders. _ Disunion has been stimulated and encouraged by a few doctrinaires and intriguers. The "Express" declares that the country is united, and looks to tho leaders to be equally united and resolved and enthusiastic in the pursuit of victory. CONSTANTINOPLE PREPARING TO WELCOME THE GERMANS. Paris, Ootober 16. _ Great preparations aTe being made to receive the Germans in Constantinople. An immense triumphal arch is being built at San Stefano. Enyer Pasha, in an Order of the Day, promises the Turkish soldiers that they will spend the winter in tho warm climes of Egypt. NEW RUSSIAN AUXILIARY ARMY IN THE CAUCASUS Petrograd, October 16. Largei forces of Kirghiz (Trans-Caspian) tribesmen, if not _ _ono wholo army, are likely to appear in the field after the training. The Kirghiz population numbers twelvo millions, and the authorities are anxious to utilise such hardy material. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE London, Ootober 16. A German communique states that General, vonMackensen is further advancing. We stormed, : southward of Semendria. Varnovo Hill, eastward of PozareVatz, also tho village of Emoljina. Tho Bulgarians forced a crossing of tho frontier ridges between Negotia and Staiiuitz, and captured tho eastern forts at Sewitchar. _____ A BULGARIAN REPORT. London, October 17. A Bulgarian report states"The Bulgarians concentrated feeblo forces at Pirot, holding three complete divisions. Between Pirot and Sofia strong artillery has been posted at intervals along the railway." OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM OF OUR "BLUNDERS " IN THE • DARDANELLES

MR. ASHMEAD BARTLETT ON "OUR FAILURE.". (Rec. October 18, ti p.m.) London, Ootober 17. _ The "Sunday Times" has interviewed Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, the British accredited war correspondent at the Dardanelles. Mr, Bartlett was enthusiastic over the wonderful fighting qualities of the Australians and New Zealanders. "The results of the fighting 111 Gallipoli," he says, "were highly unfavourable to ourselves. Apart from the oonception and doubtful paternity of this expedition, we have committed every concoivablo blunder in the methods of carrying it out. Few minds engaged in the enterprise knew. _ the Turks' fighting qualities, and the geography of his country. The appalling slaughter in Gallipoli has not altogether been in vain. Tho blood of tho Australians, New Zealanders, Britishers, and Indians proved that we arc still a great fighting people. _ Our prestige is higher than, it was before the war, despite our reverse, which is serious. "We cannot fulfil tho wild promises wo have, made to Serbia. As usual, w© were scrupulously fair to our enemies, and warned them iu time for them to ho prepared. The Allies ought to have occupied Serbian Macedonia two months ago. Instead, Bulgaria has waited until our failure in the Dardanelles was made manifest, and then joined Germany. "It will be out of the question for the Allies to win a victory in the Balkans this winter. Tlioy will require half a, million men even to win a victory in tho spring. If defeated, the Germanswill merely retire to their frontiers, leaving us to keep Bulgaria and Turkey in subjection. A few divisions isent to Salonika can do little. The time lias come when we must seriously Teconsidor our position, without self-deception. Wo can no longer exhaust our resources in enterprises of secondary importance." ARE THE FAOTS BEING HIDDEN? (Rec. October 18, 11.30 p.m.) London, October J.B. The "Daily Mail," commenting on the Australian reception of Lord Miner's suggestion to evacuate the Dardanelles, says that owing to the censorship the Australian and New Zealand public have not been allowed to know all tho facte, though they have had Sir lan Hamilton's glowing communications, the war correspondents' censored dispatches, Mr.- Churchill's and Lord Robert Cecil's amazing prophesies. Despite official optimism rumours aro circulating in Australian and New Zealand quarters in London that tile facts regarding tho Dardanelles aro being hidden. Tlieso are causing gravo porturbation in colonial circles. _ Suggestions are being made to hold a meeting in London at which tho leading Australians and New Zealanders propose to acquaint the Government with their anxiety regarding affairs afc Gallipoli.