THE MASK THROWN OFF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2645, 16 December 1915, Page 5

THE MASK THROWN OFF

MONASTIR "IRREVOCABLY BULGARIAN." (Rec. December 16, 1.5 a.m.) . Salonika) December 15. Germany has thrown off the mask concerning Monastir. Having allayed Greek fears until Serbia had been conquered, tlioy have now established a Bulgarian administration at Monastir. The German Minister at Sofia declares that the town is "irrevocably Bulgarian."- £ THE NEW RULE AT MONASTIR, ("Times" and Sydney "Sun"'Services.) London, December 14. The Turco-Geriuan Press at Athens says that the military administration at Monastir lias been handed over to Austro-German and Bulgarian officials. The civic administration is conducted by a commission of citizens. The Greek flag has been added to those of the four Germanic Allies over the town. The Greek flag alone flies over tho railway station, which, with a section of the line from Monastir to tho frontier, is now recognised as purelv Hellenic property. Railway traffic has been restored. KING CONSTANTINE RECEIVES BULGARIAN MINISTER GERMAN PRESS MAKES CAPITAL OUT OP THE VISIT. (Rec. December 15, 8.5 p.m.} _ ~ , . London, December 14. The German newspapers attach great importance to the fact that King Coristantine twice received the Bulgarian Minister, in a two hours' audience at each occasion, before handing his reply to the Entente Powers. It is they say, significant also that there were repeated conversations between the Bulgarian Minister, M. Skouloudis (the Greek Premier), the Greek War Minister, Chief of the General Staff, and Minister for Home Affairs. ("Times" arid Sydney "Sun" Services.) _ . ... London, December 14. King Constantino, after having perused "The Times" interview, requested the following amendment: "The King emphatically denies the existence, of a Greco-Bulgarian treaty. Greece refuses to be dragged into war even against her hereditary enemies." ' Lin the interview published in "The Times," the sentences referred to were reported:-"He emphatically clenied the rumoured treaty between Greece and Bulgaria. The latter was- Greece's hereditary enemy."] REPORTED AGREEMENT AND PARTIAL- DEMOBILISATION. (Rec. December 15, 8.35 p.m.) Athens, December 15. . The newspapers here indicate that agreement with tho Entente Powers is imminent. It will involve a semi-demobilisation. COMMERCIAL BLOCKADE RAISED. ' m, i »-™ Athens, December 14. The release of Greek ships detained in Entente ports has caused intense relief in Athens and Piraeus. The shortage of coal threatened a stoppage'of the gas and electric companies, while a bread famine was momentarily feared through the non-arrival of grain ships. (Rec. Decembor 15, 8.35 p.m.)' r, • -. , ~t t • x ,■ , Malta, December 14. It is-understood that fresh instructions have been issued to release some Greek ships which have been held up here. ITALIAN ARMY FOR AT/RANT A (Rec. December 15, 8.5 p.m.) Rome,' December 15. _ It is reported' that ( Italy will shortly be able to land eighty thousand troopa ui Albania. RUMANIA'S UNCERTAIN PSYCHOLOGICAL MOMENT WHAT THE KING TOLD A POET. v ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, December 14. # The King of Rumania, asked by the poet Estill whether there would be time to complete tlie drama before Ru nuuiia's intervention, characteristically replied: I 'Finish your labour tranquilly. You have until April." The Paris Press has interviewed M. Filipescu's son, Gregoiro, who said"Rumanian confidence in the Allies is stronger than ever. Rumania could exercise a decisive influence, but the Germans had exerted tho most violent pressure at Bucharest, threatening an attack. The interventionists in Rumania aro . greatly satisfied with tho Allies' decision to remain at Salonika, as a retreat would havo profoundly affected the Balkan interventionists, who would bo faced with new difficulties. Since Serbia had been over-run it was nccessaty that tho Allies, including Russia, should pour- in troops to the Near East. : THE WAR IN THE DARDANELLES TURKISH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE, (Rec. Decembor 15, 8.5 p.m.) . Amsterdam, Dccemb'er 14. A Turkish official communique states: "The enemy's cruisers at the Dardanelles, assisted by; a hattoon observer, bombarded Anafarta. Our artillery replied. t ; " 1 , _ "Near Seddul Bahron December 12 the enemy, after using. bombs and aerial torpedoes, attempted to attack, but were repulsed." GERMAN TROOPS TO DISCIPLINE CONSTANTINOPLE. m_<i ■)••• . c ~ L . Berne, December 14. Two German divisions at Sofia aro starting for Constantinople whero there is serious unrest owing to the rigours imposed by the Germans commanding the police and gendarmerie.' RUMOURED FORMIDABLE GERMAN COUP IN THE DARDANELLES '(Rec. December 16, 1.40 a.m.) ,„ „ , , Ceneva, December 15. Tha "TnbunaV Constantinople correspondent states from an* absolutely reliable source that the Germans have prepared a formidable coup in the Dardanelles. - An Austro-German transport organisation is being prepared for an expedition, THE THREATENED ATTACK ON EGYPT DUTCH STEAMERS FORSAKE CANAL ROUTE. (Rec. December 16, 0.10 a-.m.) T , Rotterdam) December 15 The Dutch East Indies Lines announce that they are using the Cape route ostensibly owing to coaling difficulties m the Suez route. The companies d<n clare that there is no political reason, but it is pointed out that the ftermim ' Press is full of the forthcoming attack on Egypt. Tho "Kolnisohe Volkszeitimg'' publishes a message'from Cairo statins: that thousands of natives and English are entrenching oil both sides of the Canal. Many strong fortresses have been built, and many gunboats are anchored there. British officers estimate that a quarter of a. million troops are concentrated' in Egypt, and more are landing dady.