ALLIES READY FOR ALL ATTACKS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2649, 21 December 1915, Page 7

ALLIES READY FOR ALL ATTACKS

GENERAL SARRAIL'S OPINION ; WAITING FOR THE ENEMY TO GROSS; THE ;• \ greek frontier By TolegTiiili—Pr«B Assodatlon-OopyrLsht ("Times" and Sydney'"Sun" Services.) f jj, (Eec. December 20, 5.5 p.m. ) London, December 19. The Salonika correspondent of the Italian newspaper "Secolo" states that Genefal Sarrail said, in an interview: "I am calmly waiting for the enemy to cross the Greek frontier. If the Bulgarians do not do so it will be possibly because military, as well as political, considerations prevent them. They have sustained the heaviest losses. Events will find us ready to resist all attacks."'. , v , . . British staff officers are equally confident. THREE WAYS OPEN FOE THE ENEMY'S ADVANCE. (Rec. Deramber §0,_8.5 p.m.)' ! London, December 20. • Mr. Stevens, correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," writes: "Three ways are open for the enemy's advance against Salonika: (1) From the north. 1 by'Ghevgheli and Doiran; (2), from the oast % Demirliissar, crossing the ; River Strumnitza at Odaksi and reaching \Langaza (10 miles north of Salonika); (3) from the west, by Monastir, following the railway. The eastern rout® presents transport difficulties, while from the western, the enemy must pass through the Greek Army. Meanwhile the Allies are fortifying the approaches to Salonika, which they are confident they will be able to defend. "Hie Bulgarians have begun a new Offensive west of Strayga (close to tho Albanian frontier, north-east of Monastir), with tho object of occupying the road- to Elbassan."BULGARS WILL NOT ATTACK SALONIKA OPENLY. Londoni December 18. Tho "Giomale "d'ltalia" 'does not think that the Bulgarians will participate in the attacks on Salonika, though Bulgar troops may fight disguised in German uniforms and under German ofiioers. Athens reports corroborate the possibility of disguised Bulgar troops. AUSTRIA'S AIMS IN ALBANIA. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)' London, December 18. Th'a Kalian paper "Giomale d'ltalia" states t'hat Austria apparently contemplates an Albanian protectorate, including Ipeft and. Jakova. Montenegro may diare Serbia's fate, since Austria is determined to end the menace to the Port of Catarro. Albania will possibly be the theatre of a new; Balkan war before the springTHE BULGAR MOVE ON DURAZZO. ■ ("Times" and Sydney. "Sim" Sorvices.) London) December 18. Tho "Giomale d'ltalia" states that, tho Bulgarian entry into Albania obviously indicates an attempt to annihilate the remainder of the Serb army and prevent the Italians re-forming and refitting them. Tho Bulgar move on Durazzo has a political objective which Italy cannot tolerate. HARSH TREATMENT OF GREEKS IN MONASTIR. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)' London, December 18. News from Salonika states that bitter complaints are coming in from ' Monastir of - the Bulgarian military treatment of Greeks. Tho province is regarded as being definitely annexed by Bulgaria. Apparently the Bulgarian * armies are lacking most of the neccssarios, and the inhabitants have been subjected to the heaviest requisitions. Tho Greeks have been compelled to bear imposts for a greater number than tho Bulgarian population. Tho Germans endeavoured to secure fairer treatment for the Greeks, leading to further German-Bulgarian friction. _____ ATROCITIES BY. 'ARMED MUSSULMANS. i Soutarl, December 19. 'A Sorbian official statement savs that during the Serbian retreat the 'A'ustriana and Bulgarians armed tho Mussulmans, who were found in the pro- ' viuces in new Serbia, and incited them against the civilian population. Numerous nmssacres followed, accompanied by unprecedented cruelties, and ex- > cesses, the terrifying crimes recalling the worst atrocities of Bulgarian bands F before' and during tho war. VIVID 'ACCOUNT OF THE LAST DAYS AT MONASTIR. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rcc. December 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 19. l Mr Shepperd, the war correspondent, gives a vivid impression of t'ho last days at'Monastir. Ho says: "On November J2 I saw a regiment of. ' Sorbs (farmer's and workmen) armed with shoMs golnp nut a few wiles to dirt 6 touches, ffhis was the first »£R ,th« e&y&s fadaegered. Ear north-

ward the little Serb Army was fnllinc back against tcrrific odds. The shovel brfeado revealed the whole story. Jho no.so of the enemy guns was like Ki +u.,,w i/i'i/lirill vco tin nil 116H ro i • Ooloiiel Nikefcscn, or tho Serb Hei'dnuirtors informed the correspondents that the Serbs bad done tbeir utmost blit wore re ti ri 11R with only two regiments left from the Jkbuna Pass. which they u-niiW linlfl for flireo days, and finally evacuate it. Ho refused our symmtliv Standiii" erect and proud he said simply: 'It is war! The Serbs have patlij. , "i i ni lo trenciios on tlio outskirts were-purposely mario 011 the hillside to prevent tlio retreat The Serbian motto at Monastir was 'Fielit it out to the last man and the last bieatn. WHAT* ATTITUDE WILL RUMANIA ADOPT 1 London, December 18. 'A deputy lias questioned t'lie Rumanian Government regarding the German Press propaganda in Rumania, and also criticised M. Bratiano's policy. M. Bratiano replied that if the nation] security was threatened he would teko Tli M. Mamhlaeomar, lias momorinliscd King Ferdinand. urgins Rumanian entry into the war on tho side of the Central Powers.