THE ASSAULT ON SALONIKA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2670, 17 January 1916, Page 5

THE ASSAULT ON SALONIKA

DISPOSITION OF ENEMY'S FORCES BULGARIAN SECTOR OPENS FIRE Br Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright tu The "THbuna" states that the Germans form the the Vardar with. their centre at Monastir. The Bulgarians' headquarters a?e at Doiran. A hundred thousand Turks from Gallipoli form tlie left whig, 01the line Xantlu to Gumuljina, The Bulgar-German force is a quarter ox a million. 1 rtllw vi<Torously leat boml)ardment in the Doiran zoue 1:18 the Allies replying , [Xanthi (or Skidie or Eskife) arid Gumuljina are two towns on the Dedea-gatcu-Kavala railway, within twenty miles of ,the coast of Bulgaria.]

Renter's Bucharest correspondent states that TurkishTndßuWwiaiftroons have been sent to the Italian, Montenegrin, and French fronts, to relieve the Austnans and Germans sent to Macedonia and Bukowina. THE ALLIES' DEFENCES. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) ■mi -rx i* * i . Rome, January 15. ,J? G J } ? ] . lan Corriere Delia Sera's" Salonika correspondent" states that the Allies continue to strengthen the line of their base at Salonika ' The AUies fortifications give an imposing impression. The general opinion is that an attack by tho enemy is not imminent The enemy s strength of two hundred thousand at Doiran and Ghevgheli includes only a small detachment of Germans, but Germany has sent an abundance of guns. IVo Turkish divisions in the Xanthi district are badly equipped. ALLIES WILL MUSTER 350,000 TROOPS. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) mi t-i i * n -,i , Athens, January 15 The Entente Powers will have 350,000 troops in Macedonia mthiii a fortnight, and fifty aeroplanes. ENEMY'S AIRCRAFT KILLS A C-REEK SOLDIER (Rec. January 16, 11 p.m.) A French official communique states "The enemy's afr-craft^bomb^d l'opposition north-westward of Kukus, and also at Boganizi. A Greek soldier killed and some-others wounded." b ICr " as FALL OF MONTENEGRIN CAPITAL. REPORTED NEGOTIATIONS TO SEPARATE PEACE , , , • „■ • , , , ~ „ . . London, January 14. An Austrian official message states that- Cettmjo, the capital of Montenegro, has fallen. Austria has proposed an armistice to Montenegro, with a view to negotiation of a separate peace. j HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports: , ■ • . . 1 London, January 14, 4.20 p.m. The Austriaus claim that they have capturcd Cettinje. "TIMES" COMMENT: "TARDY ACTION OP ALLIES." ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) „. , London, January 14. Ihe "Times," m a leader, ea.vsi the fall of Mount Lovchen places Montenegro at the mercy of the enemy. Her independent existence is imperilled for tho first time in her heroic history. It is not known whether King Nicholas will continue the unequal struggle or make terms. Tho latter alternative is possible. Tho failure of the operations in the Adriatic is due to the tardy comprehension hy the Allies of tho strategic importance of the Balkans. Ono wonders why Italy allowed the important loss of Mount Lovchen without making efforts to support Montenegro, this misfortune should r.ot be an occasion for recrimination, but to spur up tno Allies to speedily redress it. A SURPRISE TO THE ITALIAN PUBLIC. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) m ~ , . r it l • ' Rome, January 15. Tlie overwhelming of Montenegro i s apparently a surprise to tho Italian public, though there is no explanation a s to why Italy did noi lift a hand to save Mount Lovchen. is understood that Austria recently ottered to givo Montenegro Scutari if she gave up Lovchen. • ITALY TAKING STEPS. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) , Paris, Jauuarv 15. lhe Petit Journal's" Rome correspondent states that King Emanuel has suddenly returned to tho capital ill order to confer with a view to Italy aiding Monteneurn, and Ssrbiiv.

AUSTRIAN NAVAL DESIGNS ON DURAZZO (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) _ , . , , Rome, January 15. The Austnans have already sent to Cattaro two Dreadnoughts, and four largo submarines which had been received in sections from Germany and put together at Pola. These carry German officers and Austrian crews, and are intended to operate against Durazzo (the capital of Albania). THE WAR IN MESOPOTAMIA TURKISH TROOPS ENTER PERSIA. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, January 15. A semi-official message from Constantinople states that Turkish troops have entered Kermanshah (in Persian territory, province of Ardalan, near the frontier). RUSSIANS APPROACHING KERMANSHAH. (Rec. January 16, 11 p,m,) Petrograd, January 16. A Russian official communique states:—"We have occupied Kanvagan, in the direction of Kermanshah." DEFENSIVE MEASURES IN EGYPT TRUNK RAILWAYS TAKEN OYER. (Rec. January 15, 3.45 p.m.) ... .... . Cairo, January 14. The military authorities have taken over all the Cairo, Port Said, Suez, and Ismalia trunk lines. REVOLUTIONARY PLOT IN CONSTANTINOPLE CONSPIRACY TO OUST THE GERMANS. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) , . , , Amsterdam, January 15.' A report from Constantinople states that the German secret police have discovered a vast revolutionary plot to overturn the Government and expel the Germans. There have been numerous arrests, and many Turkish officers arc compromised 1 . The police force has been doubled, and Constantinople has been transformed into a centre of espionage, which paralyses commercial and private life. TURKS GETTING WAR-WEARY. (Rec. January 17, 1 a.m.) Salonika, January 16. Now that Gallipoli has been abandoned and Constantinople is not threatened directly, tho Germans are chagrined to find that many influential Turks are actively opposing any offensive, arguing that Turkey 'is greatly in need of a rest. It is pointed out that though considerable forces of Turks have been sent to Palestine, the season for an attack on the Suez Canal is getting rather late. THE EVACUATION OF GALLIPOLI---ACCORDING TO TURKEY London, January 14. A Constantinople communique contains a highly-coloured description of tho evacuation of Helles.i It ;ays: "The fast lire of the war vessels, replacing the activity of the enemy's land batteries and the presence of numerous trans" ports at the landing places, showed that flight was imminent on tho uieht of the Bth. "All measures were taken to inflict greater losses this time. Wo exploded mines and sent out strong reconnoitring parties. Tho enemy war vessels -rigorously bombarded oiir advanced positions. "At 3 o'clock on the morning of 9th we advanced on the whole front. !- A portion of the enemy fled to tho landing-places under protection of the warships' fire. The others exploded automatic mines to delay our advance. "Meanwhile the Turkish long-range guns and mountain batteries opened fire on tho landing piers. Regardless of the automatic mines, our troops felled tho rearguards. The latter, being unable to escape, offered a desperate resistance. The booty of guns, ammunition and horses has hot been counted." "BRITAIN LOSES NEARLY EVERY BATTLE BUT THE LAST." ("Times" and Sydney '-'Sun" Services.) / \ Rome, January 14. Tho Italian journal "Tribuna," in echoing the gratification of the British Press at the skill displayed in tho retirement from the Dardanelles, says it is pertinent to regret that this skill was not displayed before the retirement. It is an historical truth that Britain loses nearly every battle except the last.

KAISER EXTOLS THE/'GREAT VICTORY." Amsterdam, January 14. The Kaiser, in congratulating the Sultan on tho "great victory" at the Dardanelles, announces the gift of a commemorative sword. LORD ISLINGTON'S EULOGY OF THE COLONIALS'. ' London, January 14. At the National Liberal Club's luncheon to Sir George Rcid, M.P., Lord Islington declared that whatever else might be said regarding Gallipoli, it had erected an imperishable monument to the gallantry and indomitable pluck of Australians and New Zealanders.