THE BATTLE IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2858, 24 August 1916, Page 5

THE BATTLE IN THE BALKANS

x BULGAR ADVANCE IN EASTERN MACEDONIA

ITALIANS AND RUSSIANS AT SALONIKA

(By Telegraph—Press Assculiitba—Copyright) , Australian-New Zealand Cable Association.

, _;■ London, August 22. A wireless report from Borne states that the Bulgars continue to advance in Eastern Macedonia. Three Greek divisions embarked at Kavala, where tho Greek forts were handed over. There was no time to remove the guns and ammunition'.

BRITISH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

(Rec. August 23, 9.45 p.m.)

London, August 22. , The War Office states: "The situation on.tho Balkan front is unchanged Wo destroyed the railway bridges at Angista Btation, on tho Struma front! on August 20. Our mounted forces, conjointly with the French, successfully located the enemy on the Seres'-Savajek front. Our artillery stopped the adYanoe of tho enemy's skinnishore towards Kopriva bridge. We also dispersed working parties who ( were entrenching opposito Kamarjan and Kavdarmah."

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.

(Rec. August 23, 2.20 p.m.)

' rl „..-,"' '"'''■•■ . London, August 22. ■ A German official conimuniquo states: "All tho Serbian positions at Malka and Nidze Plamna have been taken. We drove the French across tho Struma between Butkova and Tahinos, and captured Sinlinica and the Englanina Ridge."

A THRUST OF GREAT VIOLENCE

(Rec. August 23, 10.25, p.m.) . Rome, August 23. The correspondent of tho "Agenda Nazionale" at Salonika states: "The enemy is thrusting with great violence against tho Allied left wing. Fighting is especially fierce south of Fiorina towards Drinan. We have occupied Lisa and the Greek fort dominating Sores." • ,

GREEKS TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS

ATTACK ON THE BULGARIANS AT SERES,

(Rec. August 23, 9.45 p.m.)

Athens, August 23. The Greeks at Salonika made a demonstration and protested against the Bulgarian invasion. They decided to defend Macedonia thomsolves, if the Government did not change its policy. Despite orders to the contrary, Greek troops in tho region of Seres have been fighting tho Bulgarians since yesterday. Tho Greek commander has called up all tho reservists in that region. The "Morning Post's" Athens correspondent states: "With tho wholesalo invasion of Greek Macedonia, all thought of holding tho Greek elections has boon abandoned. This is doubtless one of tho effects intended by tho Germans, with the object of preventing tho return of M. Vonizelos. The report that the Greek garrison at' Fort Theapetra refused to surrender and fired on tho Bulgarians is confirmed.. Also the entire Sixth Greek Division at Seres offered a sanguinary resistance. The Government has sent urgent orders directing a cessation of the fighting and a retirement." '

GREEK BOURSE DEPRESSED.

! ("The Times.") (Rec. August 23, 9.45' p.m.)

, . ' • London, August 23. The "Times" Athens correspondent states that tho Bourse is severely depressed. The public regard as heroes garrison of Fort Theapetra, tho commander of which was killed while resisting tho Bulgarians, and anti-Gournarist feeling is rising.

ARRIVAL OF ITALIANS AND RUSSIANS

Aurtralian-Npw Zealand Cable Association.

Salonika, August 22. Italian troops have arrived at Salonika. Tho "streets were thronged to welcome them. It was not only a military spectacle, but an uniquo gathering of almost all tho Allies. Scores of races were represented. Shouts of "Vive,- Italia!" greeted tho men.

General Sarrail (French Commander-in-Chief) presorted the Legion of Honour to five Italian officers. Nows of the fall of Onrizia. arriving on tho same day, added a flavour to tho martial scene. The Italians are commanded by General Derarets.

There was equal enthusiasm on an earlier occasion, on the landing of a Russian force. The Russian Consul and a group of Greek priests blessed tho landing. Tho martial bearing of the Russians impressed the population. Now the Russians are upon overy front from the Caucasus to Champagne, except one. OPTIMISTIC OPINION IN ROME. Rome, August 22. The newspapers are optimistic regarding the Salonika enterprise They declare that all tho Powers in tho Entente participating will bo a reparation for Serbia's snartyrdoni. Nover has tho conception of such a unique front assumed a more exact and concrete reality Tho expedition must ho an obessing menaco to the enemy.

CONSTERNATION AMONGST THE BULGARS. London, August 22. A wireless report from Rome statos that the arrival of the Italians and Russians caused consternation among the Bulgars, and many desertions resulted. OUR STRATEGICAL UNITY FULLY ACHIEVED. i ("The Times.") (Rcc. August 23, 10.25 p.m.) London, August 23. "The Times," in a leader on the Macedonian landing, says: "It must create tho deepest impression on tho Balkan peoples, Governments, and rulers. Tho now campaign strikingly demonstrates tho fact that the strategical unity of the Allios has been fully achieved. It is beginning to bo felt that the operations over tho wholo of tho vast theatre of tho war is resulting in that double front war so dreaded by Gorman strategists. Wo havo the initiative everywhere, including Salonika, and ultimate victory is assured." A SIGNIFICANT POINT IN BULGAR ADVANCE. (United Service.) (R«c. August 23, 10.25 p.m.) London, August 23. Mr; Jeffries, the British Press correspondent at Athens, says: The Bulgarian advance on Kozani is most significant, because tho Germans are anxious to re-open communications with Greece by this route." Tho position of tho Germans in Athens is difficult. They aro actually without mouoy. Recently the German Minister officially informed tho Greek Government that German and Bulgarian toops wero not occupying Seres, Drama, or Kavala. COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR' SHADOWS BEFORE RUMANIAN STATE COURIERS 'VARY THEIR ROUTE. (Rcc. August 23, 2.20 p.m.) London, August 22, Tho "Frankfurter Zoitung" states that tho Rumanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed tho official couriers to traverse Russia and Sweden, instead of Austria and Germany. Tho situation at Bucharest is critical. Reports'from Athens state that tho Rumanian railways have been requisitioned, and soldiers havo been recalled from leave. The Wolff Press Agency (German) circulates a report that Austria and Germany aro preparing an ultimatum to Rumania. THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE IN ASIA MINOR CONSIDERABLE TERRITORY CAPTURED. Australlan-Now Zeatand Cable Association. Potrograd, August 22. A Russian official communique states: "Fighting in the direction of Diarbokr is developing favourably. .We hav 0 captured considerablo territory west of Lake Van. A detachment defeated tho Turkish cavalry in the TJclina region, in Persia."