WHOLE BALKAN FRONT ACTIVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2857, 23 August 1916, Page 5

WHOLE BALKAN FRONT ACTIVE

ENEMY'S OFFENSIVE DEVELOPS HEAVY FIGHTING AT VARIOUS POINTS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Opyright). Australian-New Zealand. Cable Association. Paris, August 21. Operations are progressing, on the whole of our Balkan front. ' THREE POINTS OF ATTACK IN BULGAR OFFENSIVE. , (Rec. August 22, 8.35 p.m.) Athens, August 21. It appears that the Bulgarians took the offensive at three points, one force, oocupying Rupel, advanced on Demirhissar; another attacked Fiorina, while the third crossed the Mesta, advancing by the. Sari Chaban Plains towards Kavala. ONE GREEK FORT RESISTED THE BULGARS. (Rec. August 22, 9.15 p.m.) Athens, 'August 21. It is reported that the Greek commander at Fort Theapetra,' south of Jupel, refused to surrender his fort, and that a conflict ensued. There axe no details. Advices from Salonika state that the invaders are two miles from Kavala. The population is taking refuge on the island of Thasos. BULGAR COUNTER-ATTACK ON HORSESHOE HILL (Rcc. August 22, 10.55 p.m.) Salonika, August 22. The new Serbian artillery inflicted severe losses on the Bulgarians during the retirement from Fiorina. A squadron of Bulgarian cavalry charged a Serbian battery, but were completely destroyed by the Serbian 'infantry escort. Anglo-French columns have been sent east of the Struma, where there have been many encounters with the Bulgarians between Kavala and Beirakli Juoia. The Bulgarians attempted to recapture the now. British' positions on Horseshoe Hill on Saturday, but were easily repulsed. British seaplanes successfully bombarded a "olumn of Bulgarians east of Kavala. Thursday's on the Moglen front was a signal triumph for the Serbians. The Bulgarians lost one thousand out of six thousand. A POLITICAL, NOT A STRATEGICAL, OFFENSIVE. (Rec. August 22, 9.15 p.m.) London, August 22. The "Morning Post's" Athens correspondent says: "It is impossible to state whether the Bulgarian offensive should be taken seriously. It is generally conceded that it has a political rather than a strategical object, being designed to impress the Greek electorate with the danger of siding with the Entente Powers." STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY'S FORCES. (Rcc.. August 22, 9.15 p.m.) , Paris, August 22. It is estimated that the Bulgarians, Austro-Germans, and Turks in Macedonia total 700,000. They have benefited by German training, and are well equipped with artillery. A SIGNAL TRIUMPH FOR THE SERBIANS THE BULGAR DEFEAT AT MOGLEN. ("Tho Times.") London, August 21. Mr. Calvert, the "Times" special correspondent at Salonika, reports that the Battle of Moglen was a signal Serbian triumph. Four hundred dead Bulgars were counted. Tho extensive Bulgarian movement is attributed to either a despairing desire to galvanise the morale of tho soldiers, which has been depressed by inaction and privations, or to stave off Rumanian intervention by an appearance of strength which is plainly fictitious. Tho occupation of Fiorina is not important. We firmly hold the dominating heights. Tile signs of increasing activity by the Allies have aggravated the Bulgarians' depression. They may bo regarded as an army at liny, in a state of unbearable suspense. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Australian-New Zealand Cabin Association. (Rec. August 22, 8.30 p.m.) ■ . , London, August 21. 'A German official communique states: "We gained tho ridges south-east of Fiorina. In the last attack the Serbian positions were stormed." GREECE EXPLOITED BY THE ENEMY ANOTHER. "SCRAP OF PAPER." Athens, August 21. The Bulgarians have advanced within ten miles of Kavalla. The Bulgarian and Gorman Ministers have handed to the Greek Government a written declaration guaranteeing the rights and liberties of the population in Grecian territory occupied by the advancing troops. Tho territory will bo restored after the war. . The Government lias ordored Greek troops in Macedonia to retire beyond the fire zone as tho Bulgarians advance. GREEK PRESS ON THE SITUATION. ("The Times.") (Rec. August 22, 8.40 p.m.) Athens, August 21. The Gounarist journals (pro-German) barely conceal their satisfaction over tho Bulgar-German. offonsivo. Thoy publish an impudent interview with the Bulgarian Minister at Athens, regarding Bulgaria's intentions.

Tho Venizelist newspapers violently attack tho Greek General Staff, accusing them of collaboration with tho llulgars and tho Germans in order to affcct the elections. All well-informed critics show undiminished confidence in tho Allies' Balkan plan of campaign. A GRAVE PROSPECT FOR GREECE. (Keutcr'a Telegram.) Athens, August 21. Tho German-Bulgar advance in Greek Macedonia is not important from a military, though grave from a Greek, viewpoint. The Government is reassuring the panic-stricken population of the invaded districts. Tho British and French Ambassadors havo asked tho Premier (M. ZaiinisJ what measures tho Government is taking regarding tho population. GERMAN ULTIMATUM TO RUMANIA ASSERTED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Bee. August 22, 9.15 p.m.) London, 'August 22. The. German Wolff Press Agency is circulating sensational telegrams in Switzerland announcing that Germany is preparing an ultimatum to Rumania. ("Tho Times.") (Rec. August 23, 1 a.m.) New York, August 22. Herr yon Wiogand, tho German correspondent of tho New York Press, assorts that Rumania will not intervene. Tlio "Kreiiz Zeitung" states that Rumania is joining the Allies. It is believed that the Rumanian War Minister and the Russian Attache yesterday discussed plans for a Russian march through Rumania. If that should be arranged, Germany will regard it as a casus belli. THE LAST OF THE CANAL OFFENSIVE (Itsuter's Tcleeram.) w , ~ . London, August 21. Ihe Cairo Exchange says that there is every indication that the Turks are definitely retreating towards their base. FIGHTING THE TURKS IN ASIA MINOR RUSSIAN PROGRESS TOWARDS DIARBEKIIi, Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. ± „ London, 'August 21. A Russian ouiciru states; 11 "bo fiphtini* is dftvcloping in our favour iu the direction of Diarbekir. We captured a fortified scries of heights and many Turks were taken." TURKISH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. J m m • , • London, August 21. A Turkish official communique states: "The situation in Mesopotamia is unchanged. The Russians were compelled to further retire upon Suj Bulak Vesjnu. Wo havo occupicd the Karamcs Mountains."