In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 71, 23 November 1915, Page 5

In the Balkans

BATTLE OF LESKOVATZ. IMPORTANT SERBIAN VICTORY. United Press AssooiATroN. London, November 22. ' A Serbian official message announces an important victory. A several days' battle in the Leskovatz and Nish district resulted in a rout of the Bulgarians, with enormous losses. VERY ENCOURAGING DETAILS. BULGARIANS NARROWLY ESCAPE DISORDERLY RETREAT. SERBIANS IN STRONG POSITIONS ENEMY OFFENSIVE WEAKENING (Received 9.15 a.m.) Athens, November 22. Details of the fight at Leskovatz show that the Serbians, who were concentrated to the southwestward, inflicted a serious defeat on the Bulgarians, who narrowly escaped being driven into disorderly retreat. They abandoned large quantities of material. The Serbians then took up positions on the heights northward and southward of Lebana, whence they can offer lengthy resistance, threatening the Bulgarian offensive, which latterly is weakening,

ALLIES ARRIVINC AT SALONIKA. Paris, November 22. A communique states that the disembarkation oi' Anglo-French troops at Salonika continues. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. « Amsterdam, November 21. A German communique states: General von Kovess occupied Novibazar, and General von G.'lhvit/.'s and General Bodajadieff's right wing is fighting for the exit to Lab Valley. Northwards of Prishtina we captured 3800 Serbians on November 19, and 4400 on November 20. AUSTRIANS IN THE SNOW. , London, November 21. Newspapers in Vienna state that the Austrian force is encamped in deep snow on the Serbian mountains, and is suffering terribly from cold. There is the 'greatest difficulty in keeping communication open and keeping up supplies. COMMUNICATIONS DIFFICULT.; London, November 21. Newspapers in iVenna state that the Austrian's have' been forced to encamp in deep snow on the Serbian mountains, and are suffering terribly from cold.

KITCHENER'S MISSION. Paris, November 22. tt is commented that Lord Kitchener had the opportunity to say many things to King Constantine. The artistic arrangements whereby Lord Kitchener was brought into touch with him followed immediately on the paternal gentleness and bonhommie of.' M. Cochin. Details of the interview are secret, but it is assumed that the Allies are only asking Greece for the strict fulfilment, of her promises of benevolent neutrality. \ This important question is associated with the concentration of Greek troops af Salonika, where it is estimated that there are fifteen divisions, and for whit reason, unless Greece is prepared to fulfil her treaty obligation to help Serbia? In sortie degree the mobilisation seems necessary as a minimum proof of the sinicerity of ! her neutrality. . ■ • . !, • CHANCE IN GRECIAN OPINION. NO GRAECO-BULGARIAN ACREE- " I s'n I•; ■ MENT. i>: i/ifi lift :.i London, November 21. '.Diplomatic circles in London await wi'th' feverish anxiety 1 the result) of ; the conversation between King Constantine | and Lord Kitchener, and in some quarters diplomat! !are- ljopefu] j of favorable developments. They ' point out that the Greek public opinion, which at first'was deeply impressed by the reports of German victories, has changed in the last few days, and the friendliness of the Greeks is evident by the enthusiastic reception given to Lord Kitchener. . Sympathy towards' 'the : Allies, it is believed, is growing-daily. '-The Greek Legation,!lnstructed from 1 Athens,' denies the existence of any Graeco-Bulgarian agreement, except a technical protocol, dated October 29, aiid signed' : by 'the' representatives of \}\e Graeco-Bulgarian .railways, providing for ';the purcllase in Btilgarial of! ten thousand tons of cereals, and that Bulgarian waggons be used for transport.

PRESS OPINION. London, November 22. The Times' correspondent at Athens says that the results of Lord Kitchener's visit warrant favorable views of a prospect of settlement. His arrival was quite unexpected. Generals Macmahon and Maxwell accompanied him. His visit was too sudden and brief to admit*of a public demonstration, but Lord Kitchener's commanding presence was the object of general remark. 'The Daily Mail's correspondent at Athens says that Lord Kitchener's conversation with King Constantino was restricted to Balkan warfare in general, but. particularly the strategy of the present campaign. His interview with M. Skouloudis related to political questions.

VENIZELOS INTERVIEWED. ' Athens, November 22. Mr Ward Price interviewed M. Venizelos, who said that the Germans arc ■ bound to be conquered in the end. The reserves wherefrom they were drawing their resources were much smaller than those of the Allies, and the Germans had already passed the zenith of their strength, though th'ey were still powerful enough to prolong the struggle for a long time. The new battleground in the Balkans offers favorable conditions to the Entente to detail off large bodies of troops and thus cut off Germany from supplying. men and material to Turkey. If the Allies smash the Germans in Serbia a line of invasion is open across the Hungarian plain to Germany's weakest flank. M. Venizelos continued: "I havo the greatest admiration for Sir Edward Grey, but it was a mistake to chill Greek sympathies by offering the Bulgarians Kavalla, without first ascertaining whether they would accept the bribe. The mass of" Greeks felt it too (risky to accept Cyprus under conditions likely to result ih forfeiting the rest of their territory. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS'. Athens, November 22. According to Ministerial journals King Constantino and M. Skouloudis assured Lord Kitchener that Greece j will never attack the Allies, and the [way is clear to an agreement.

The Allied fleets have begun a se- i vere searching of Greek vessels in the Mediterranean. A profound sensation has been caused by tlie British Legations' statement. Newspapers regret that in view of the Hennenic Government's attitude regarding the security of the Entente's troops, and the liberty of action they have been entitled to in connection with the disembarkation of troops, the Allied Powers judge it necessary to take certain measures, having for their object economic facili- ' ties which Greece hitherto enjoyed. The Powers in nowise intend to coerce Greece to depart from the neutrality which she believes best serves, her interests, but the Entente has been obliged to take cognisance of certain allusions made to the possibility of measures being taken by the Greek Go- ; vernment which are contrary to the • assurances received. When all doubt in these matters has been dissipated the Allies will be happy to remove any obstacles that may now be opposed to' the arrival of merchandise consigned to Greece, and accord the facilities ' naturally atetending normal relations. Anti-Venizelist newspapers predict a total lack of bread for non-combat-ants in a few days, and allege that the Allies' measures are intended to force Greece to abandon her neutrality. The newspapers point out that it is possible that Greece will undertake not to disarm the Allied troops, and will prevent the Germans and Bulgarians pursuing them on Greek soil; but in such case the Allies must leave Greekterritory, as it will be impossible to prevent the Germans and Bulgarians pursuing if the Allies await reinforcements at Salonika. ,« ; ;i: » /.5 } It is understood that Lord Kitchener and M. Cochin demanded assurance of absolute freedom of : action! s I London, November 21.

The Tribune's corresponden t''" ■at j Monastir paints a tragic picture /of the' Serbian retreat. Colonel 'Yassic, with a mere handful of troops, determined to cover the retreat of the panic-stric-ken civilians. When the Bulgars were drawing in to the doomed city Colonel Vassic armed volunteers and advised the Allied Consuls to depart!. I Two Serbian officers were despatched to Salonika to ask aid from the Allies, and said, with tears in their eyes: "We cannot hold out longer; we have no more men, and no bread. We shall be totally exterminated. _. We have teen unable to save^Serbny.^,, The Daily Mail's Paris correspondent 'says'bhat .telegram indicates 1 'that* {he Allies' awe.too lateyjanf little remains of seems that the Allies have been cut off from the main Serbian army, which is bearing the brunt of the Bulgar-Ger-man! invasion. Heavy guns oh motor tractors);have ;been|- sent -.firqiri. Sofia,, ! together with a quarter of a million rifles, to arm the j Bulgar .reserves. French military critics consider this a preliminary movement against the Allies at'Salonika, in. the hope of driving them into the sea. The first condition of safety for the Allies is the removal of the Greek menace. It is ; absolutely necessary that three hundred - thousand fresh troops shall-be on' the Aegean shores.