IMPORTANT HEIGHTS SEIZED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2934, 21 November 1916, Page 5

IMPORTANT HEIGHTS SEIZED

BULGAR RETREAT MENACED

THE PRESSURE ON RUMANIA.

WALLACHIAN FRONT THE WEAKEST SPOT

ANOTHER REQUEST TO GREECE

.Wild winter weather has suddenly assailed Europe, and the heavy snowfall is hampering the operations in all the great theatres. Tfie enemy in the Balkans has been forced by the pressure of the Serbian advance, and an unexpected thrust by the Russians, to fall 'back along his entire front, evacuating Monastir and the important heights to the cast, from whioh tactical point of vantage his communications can now bo threatened. The position at Monastir is spokbn of in the dispatches as the key to Macedonia, and tho news of Iko Allies' success has greatly heartened tho Serbian people. There are no developments in tho West; there is no news from Russia, and the Italian official communique contains a brief reference to successful local actions.

MONASTIR EVACUATED

ENEMY FALLS BACK ON WHOLE LINE

ALLIES PRESSING THE PURSUIT (By Telegraph—P*ess Association—Copyright). (Auet.—N.Z. Cable Assn, and Beuter.) London, November 19. 'A French official communique states: "The Allied troops entered Monastir this morning- Desperate Bulgarian counter-attacks at the Cerna loop were repulsed' by the Serbians, the enemy retreating in disorder to the northward." SERBIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. November 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 19. A Serbian official communique states: "The enemy is retreating in disorder towards Prilep. We captured the villages of Grunista and Benik, and Garatok Hill, with numerous prisoners and booty, and aro continuing the pursuit. . Groat conflagrations were observed at Monastir, and violent explosions were heard. Tho Allies to-day enteredMonastir."GERMANS ADMIT THE REVERSE. (Reo. November 20; 5.5 p.m.) London, November 19. 'A German official communique admits the evacuation of Monastir. BULGARIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, November 19. A Bulgarian official communique declares that the renewed attacks by the Allies at the Cerna loop failed. CAVALRY NOW ABLE TO OPERATE (Reo. November 20, 7.20 p.m.)' London, November 19. In the Serbian colonies in London and Paris there is intense delight over' the recapture of Monastir, which is regarded as the key of Macedonia, and a proof that the Allies are once more established in Serbian territory. When the French and Russians followed up the Serbian offensive, the Germans and Bulgars foresaw disaster, and fell back along their whole front on Saturday night. The Russian and French infantry entered Monastir early; on Sunda.y morning. The plain of Monastir is suitable' for cavalry operations, and it is hoped that the Allies will thus bo able to harry the retreaters, and cut off the flight of many of the Bulgars, which will now be difficult owing to the high ground on the Cerna bend. CAPTURED HEIGHTS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE TOWN (Rec. November 20, 5.5 p.m.) I . London, November 19. The "Daily Chronicle's"- correspondent at Paris states that the capture of Monastir is a great triumph for tho Serbians, and indicates that von Mack<Jnsen is so heavily engaged in the Dobrudja that he is unable to aid the Bulgarians. Experts attach more importance to the seizure of tho heights ea6t of Monastir, which command the enemy's communications between ' Monastir and Prilep, and which was the essential aim of tho Allies in this region. . WITHDRAWING TO MORE FAVOURABLE LINES (Rec. November 20, 10 p.m.) New York, November 19. The " New York Times' " Berlin correspondent confirms the news of the evacuation of Monastir, and adds: "The military authorities say that they are withdrawing to more favourable lines on the North Macedonian front. The French held the dominating heights on the south, commanding Monastir, and therefore the losses wonld be too heavy to justify the holding of the position. While tho authorities claim that Monastir, tactically, is of little value, they admit tho political effect of the evacuation, which will give the Allies a foothold in Serbia, and strengthen the Serbians' aspirations. Tho Germans admit that General Sarrail's forces have made a great strategic advance up to tho present, having an excellent railroad from Salonika, via Fiorina, to the fighting lino. General Sarrail also improvod the roads during the recent months. Tho Bulgar-German railroad ends at Veles, whence supplies and munitions are brought by one wagon road." CRUSHING IMPRESSION IN BERLIN (Rcc. November 20, 11.40 p.m.) Amsterdam, November 20. The capture of- Monastir produced a orushing impression in Berlin, where special editions of the newspapers were published. Diplomatic circles blamo the Bulgarian commanders. GERMANS LOSE FAITH IN THE BULGARS (Rcc. November 20, 11.-15 p.m.) Salonika, November 20. Under examination, two German officers, who wero recently captured, stated that the oapture of their battery was due to a stampedo. Bulgarian officers state that tho Serbs TUshed the battery so suddenly that thore was no time to destroy tho brecch-blocks. The Bulgarians did not wait for orders, and it was impossiblo for the Germans to place any further reliance on them. Prince Alexander entered Monastir in triumph, riding at the bond of the army. It is believed that tho booty was large, owing to the Bulgars's hasty rotiremont towardß Prilep. Tba pursuit of the enemy continues.

THE GERMAN-BULGAR ATTACK ON RUMANIA PROLONGED BATTLE IN THE ALT AND JIUL VALLEYS. (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Assn. ond Uewcr.) London, November 19. A Rumanian official communique states: "Tho osnemy's attacks on the Moldavian northern frontier wore repulsed. We continued to advance a t Dragoslavele. Fighting in the Alt, Jiul, and Gilout Valleys continues. Tho firing has slackened on tho Danube and Dobrudja- fronts."'* GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rcc. November 20j 5.5 p.m.) « London, November 19. A Geraau official communique claims that progress has been made against the Rumanians. WALLACHIAN FRONT THE ONLY ANXIETY Australian-New Zealand Ceblo Association. (Rec. November 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, -November 19. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent, reviewing the situation in Rumania, states that only the Wallachian front causes disquietude. Von Falkenhayn's advanco has now been arrested south of Brasso, but lio continues to press in the Alt and Jiul valleys. General G'herfiau is of opinion that below the mountains, where tho Rumanians aro constantly in danger of being turned, they Trill be able to make a moro effective resistance. ("Tho Times.") (Rec. November 20, 10.55 p.m.) London, November 20. The Rumanian situation is gravost where the enemy on the OrsovaCraiova railway compromises the Rumanians who aro facing the Jiul Pass. This may compel the retreat of a large part of tho line. The Germans claim to have broken through the Rumanian line at Ti-Giului. This does not mean that the latter's resistance has been overcome, as they are able to operate from the. lateral valleys and mountainous regions upon the enemy's lengthening communications at the worst time of the year. Mr. Marcel Hutin says: "Russia's reinforcements are sufficiently large to restore the whole Rumauikn situation, but the railway facilities are restricted. The Rumanians are still horoically bearing the brunt of the German heavy artillery." GREECE AND THE ALLIES , ANOTHER PEREMPTORY DEMAND. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Athens, November 19. 'Admiral du Fournet has demanded, that the Greeks shall hand over all war materials which the troops under arms are not -using.