In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 6, 10 December 1915, Page 5

In the Balkans

THE GRECIAN SNARL,

CONSTANTINE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ENTENTE.

United Fbkm Association. (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, December 9

Dr. Dillon, special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, writing from Home, says: “Greece’s attitude to the 'Entente is like a dog about to bite-its; master, but is baulked at the sight of a whip and is obliged to be content with snarling. The Entente has 'convinced King Constantine that drastic measures will be taken in the event of any attempted disloyal action ] therefore, Greece is condemned to unprofitable and irksome innocuousness. The rulers, however, are determined to show their teeth whenever they can with impunity.” ' ' ' ~ '' RE-VICTUALLING AND EQUIPMENT. ASSISTANCE FOR THE SERBIANS (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, December 9. The British and French War Offices early and energetically commenced to re victual and re-equip the Serbians via Albanian ports', and the first supplies arrived in Albania some days ago.

IN THE VARDAR VALLEY.

BULGARIANS DEBOUCH FROM THE MOUNTAINS. WINTER AND WOLVES. [United Press Association.] (Received 9.10 a.tn.) Salonika, December 9. The Bulgarian attack in the Vardar Valley was confined to three or four gorges, where alone the Bulgarians can debouch. 'I he mountains make the rest of the line impermeable except to the comitadjis. The cold is intensified by piercing winds. A party of Anglo-French saw the Bulgarians two hundred yards away, but both parties were too overcome with cold to attack. Wolves driven by hunger howl on the outskirts of the military camps nightly. ANTIPATHY TO ENTENTE. tHE MAILED-FIST DOCTRINE. ARMIES OF SPIES ACTIVE. CRAVE MILITARY SITUATION. (Received 10.10 a. tin.) London, December 9. Dr. Dillon, in the Daily Telegraph, states that the Allies will probably obtain their minimum demands from Greece, but will only hold them by intimidation.

The objects are almost insuperable. The chief wire-puller is Dr. Streit, an ex-Minister, who is of Austrian descent, and whose strategy tripped up M. Venizelos. Thousands of Greek officers and civil servants with tens of thousands of friends are propagating the mailed fist doctrine everywhere. Armies of spies and a contingent, of contrabandists thwart the Allies at every turn, while Government agents frustrate ©very effort to track the* treacherous enemy to their lairs. It is wrong to suppose that King Constantine alone is blameworthy for misleading his chivalrous people. Actually, antipathy to Anglo-France is widespread. The fact is that Greece may be cowed into passive resistance, but her promises are worthless and the military situation is grave.

DESPATQH DATED NOVEMBER 26.

CRITICAL' POSITION OF THE ALLIES.* ,rv! '

P|* THE BRINK OF HOSTILITIES.

>i it:! i ~j, ! :i , ! (Received 11.30 a.m.) London, December 9. i,i .The Daily Trtdgrftiih\ pllonika des, patch, Rated November’26, and'mailed in to escape the pro-German censorship, giv©rf farts %) show how the crisis then arose. The Greek authorities, at'the outset showed evidence of veiled hostility, pricesof goods being doubled and trebled and super-taxes imposed on rail and transport. Then the Greeks demanded pre-payment in gold, and the Allies submitted. When the Allies rented houses and hired horses and the Greek military stopped it and claimed them for their own uses.. The Greek defences at Salonika Bay were secretly strengthened; submarine mines were secretly stored; trenches with entanglements were constructed on the heights facing the Allies’ camps, and even Greek artillery was trained thereon. The Greek officers openly discussed when the Germans would arrive and help to drive CiteAllies into the sea. Pro-Allies officers were removed from their posts and sent to distant stations. Greek troops occupied the newly-fortified positions, threatening the Allies. With the threat of a blockade on November 19, the correspondent proceeds, the situation at Salonika on the 21st was so critical owing to the Greek military activities, that the Allies suspected they were preparing for an immediate attack. The Allies’ Fleet was cleared for action; shipping was ordered to sail; and a constant watch wag kept all night long awaiting any possibility. The Fleet’s readiness became known, for nothing happened, and thereafter negotiations were resumed on the basis of the French terms.

ENEMY’S HEAVY LOSS'ES.

Salonika, December 8

The weather improved on Monday, and the Bulgarians were bombarding the entire British line at Strumnitza all day long. Infantry attacks which followed were easily repulsed. Fighting was resumed on Tuesday, when German cavalry appeared at Strumnitza.

Latest reports state that the Allies counter-attacked at Valandovo, Doiran, and Ghevgeli, driving back the Bulgarians. The Allies’ heavy artillery inflicted considerable losses.

BULGARIAN COMMUNQUE.

Sofia, December 9

A communique says: We have vigorously pursued the French on both banks of the Yardar. The column has reached fifteen kilometres north of Ochrida.

THE BABUNA PASS OPERATIONS FRENCH WITHDRAWAL NORTH OF DEMIRKAPU. EFFORT TO JUNCTION WITH THE SERBSI RETREAT IN PERFECT ORDER (Received 12.30 p.m.) London, December 9. Reuter’s correspondent at the British headquarters in Macedonia writes under date December 7: The French left was flung out at great length in a desperate effort to junction with the Serbs while the latter 1 were making their last stand at Babuna, Pass. The venture failed solely because the t*sk was greater than was humanly possible, considering the resources and the time available. In

consequence of the Serbian defeat, the French were compelled to readjust their lines, shorten the front, and take up easier supplied winter quarters. These considerations', dictated the French withdrawal from their positions north of Demirkai>u Gorge, and the abandonment of the Krivolak road. It is rumored that the Demirkapu tunnel and bridge were blown up by the French, whose withdrawal was carried out gradually and in perfect order, all the material being saved. BULCARS’ TRIUMPHANT STORY. IN PURSUIT OF THE FRENCH! SUCCESS AT ALL POINTS! (Received 12.30 p.m.) ,1 Amsterdam, December 9. A Bulgarian communique dated the 7th states:— Pursuit of the French on both sides of the Vardar continues. We occupied Demirkapu railway station, and are now twelve kilometres east thereof,. We encircled the village of Grabica on three sides, and there was' a hostile battle lasting till midnight. One column attacked the French near he village of Unepetroz and annihilated a battalion in a bayonet attack, capturing the encampment. We attacked the Anglo-French on th e entire front south of Kosturino, making prisoners of 114 British and capturing two guns. After a stubborn battle, we occupied Ochrida. There was an enormous amount of booty at Damakova, including eighteen guns apd 100 caisons.

ROUMANIAN POSITION.

MOBILISATION PROCEEDING.

London,- December 8. * \Bucharest,reports tb,i}t the Governnient has called up ahd*f!>l& classed and also naturalised and other foreigners' * or ' military, age. ■ v . As a protest against the noAtni- 1 ation of a nprjtniljty rector, university students hav.e struck, demanding tlie t appointment of M. jonescjus, brother ,o| the ardent, interventionist. is m - w/ji MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

’ .1 —•»« si 0 !<?•*■ Pans, December 9. . General Perot, . • jrritmg r jin L’ Eclair) advocated re-embarkation of the forces at Salonika, on the ground that - France will soon need all her Eastern troops. He states that the British have mistakenly decided not to abandon Gallipoli. Lieut.-Colonel Roussa, writing in La Liberte, says that the abandonment of Salonika would give Germany the Aegean, and the Allies must decide immediately between reinforcement and re-embarkation. Londin, December 8.

Reuter’s Athens correspondent reports that Franco-Greek military commissions are conferring. Those in re-' sponsible circles are confident that a satisfactory understanding will be reached.

It is officially denied that Britain has prohibited the export of British goods or that grain ships are being detained at Malta,