CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 76, 29 November 1915, Page 5

CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

The unpleasant* news comes to hand that a further Note, was necessary from the- Entente tq Greece informing her of the material disposition of Greece expected by the Allies in confirmation of fhe fixed the Note,a' gentle,,reminder of the effect of the blockade is given and the material, ‘ disposition are required, as a retuni 'for the Allies’ benevolence in the rhafter ’of trade! The disposition askfecl' by ’ tlie Allies l is that Greece 'sh!hlf ,J withdraw her ..tfoops from Salonika, police her owtt watols against German submarine trouble, and grant adequate railway facilities. Greece cannot'very well help herself, hut can still do her best to gain time for her friends until there is a reasonable chalice of being able to make effective and !: ‘feafe ! cooperation with the Aiistfo-German troops. The French dhk’spap'ers are Very distrustful, and demand further action against an illegal Government, which is in a representative minority. The strongest l •weaipOn ■in tlie Allies’ hand is the blockade: If that is not sufficient, then’ in the 1 ■'words of the French Le'Gsuildis “between a gentleman for a soldieiV and we should occupy it.” : '

1 The other Neutral Balkan State is showing considerable activity, and is firmly preventing the passage of Aus-tro-German war vessels down the Danube to the Black Sea. The Roumanians are also reported to be enormously impressed with Russia’s concentrations, believing Russia to have concentrated half a million troops and two thousand guns. The Italian Corriere della Sera reports that the Kaiser’s Ambassadors specially despatched to further the German cause and their renewed intrigues have had little effect. The Premier of the Roumanian Senate stated officially that relations with Russia were never better, while the leader of the Opposition, Filepu lonescu, stated that the Government had decided to follow- the national policy and will* intervene this latter statement from such a man as Ibhescu, who has unceasingly advocated intervention on the side of the Allies. To-da>- the Roumanian troops are mentioned as cohcentiating at Giurgcvo, which is near Rustchuk and is the head of a handy railroute from Bucharest. All these signs are good, and an issue should soon be announced. The writer is of opinion that the Central Powers will exert every nerve to win Roumania over, but as that countly has not yet once yielded an inch, the Central Powers will have to use force before Russia and Roumania get into their stride. However, time will tell, and that befoic long.

Regarding the military situation in Serbia, the news is somewhat disquieting regarding the Serbian movement to link up with the Allies below XJskub. They are reported to have been forced'to retreat \da Dibra. The writer is not inclined to put much faith in this report, which savours of a touching-up at the hands of an inspired writer. Dibra is a very long way out of their route, and would prove more risky than the movement would warrant. , Why they should have to go off at a tangent is hard to tell. They have to retreat, and that being so they may as well go on the nearest route to help. One explanation may be that the Bulgars, who have been the object of an extensive attack by the Allies, have themselves retreated to join up with the enemy forces. That Bulgar retreat could

develop - into, a strong attack on the Serbian rear/ but the report of a big battle north-west of Uskub make the question of retreat a little premature qvhen the result of ,the battle is not yet announced-. If the Serbs have be,eu , .beatert 1 ; then Hi bra business has ; sonie v strength. 1 -Until the result of that battle’ is l '’through, it is 1 tod early tin taller of a retreat 'through the 1 wild country :away near Albania. Oi course the opening, of iDulhzao to the' Serbs'may have something to 'do' with it, • inasmuch as it may i render such a retreat more expedient. 1 ;i n ’> <j : j . "—: ’ I ' l ' r! i 1 ‘ 1 The Allied offensive from Monastir and the retreat of the Bulgaps there-, from confirm the view that Mona stir was safe and that a vigorous offensive would begin from there. The F rench held the Cerna River and threatened the Bui gar flank operating against Priiep, which should soon fall into oyr hands as ‘ a consequence of the Serbian recapture of Krushevo. Except for 'the. Dibra business., the situatipij,. is not very favorable to tlie enemy, and it seems probable that if the Di.bj.qy movement ’ is. correctly reported, ~it will be successful. no lb ' / ■ - r-ni - < • ! ’