In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 15, 21 December 1915, Page 5

In the Balkans

miscellaneous. United Pbebb Association. Salonika. December 20. One hundred and fifty thousand Serbian refugees are gathered on the plains of Kossovo. One quarter of a million submitted to the Austro-Ger-!mans, and the remainder fled westjward, prefering the horrors of the Isnow-clad mountains of Montenegro. Thousands must have perished. Correspondents state that ii ever the story is told it will surpass in horror the Napoleonic retreat from ■ Moscow. /

Loudon, December 20

Reports from Salonika show that there are bitter complaints coming,in from Monastir of the Bulgarian military treatment of the Greeks. The province is regarded a s definitely annexed to Bulgaria. Apparently the Bulgarian armies are lacking most necessaries, and the inhabitants aie subjected to the heaviest requisitions. Greeks are compelled to pay imposts greater than those placed on the Bulgarian population. The Germans endeavoured to secure fairer treatment for the Greeks, which is leading to further friction between the Germans and Bulgarians.. I V V • ' A deputy questioned the Roumanian Government regarding the German press propaganda in Roumania and also criticised M. Eratianu’s policy. M. Bratianu replied that if the national security was threatened he would take the necessary measures for its conservation. The leader, Marghllieomar, memorialised King Ferdinand urging Roumania’s entry into the war on the side of the Central Pow-

II Giornale' d'ltalia’ - says that the Bulgarian entry into Albania obviously indicates an attempt to annihilate the remainder of the Serb armj and fo prevent the Italians re-forming and re-fitting it. The Bulgar move towards Durazzo has a political objective which Italy cannot tolerate. The paper does not think the Bulgarians will participate in the attacks, on &alonika, though Bulgar troops may Tight disguised in German uniforms and with German officers. Austria appnyently contemplates an Albanian protectorate, -iricluding-ilpek and Drakovo. Montenegro may share Serbia’s fate since Austria is determined to end the menace to the port -of Cattaro. Albania wpt #obably%> the theatre |of, a .new Balkan war before the spiing; Athens reports c'brroboratlvd the possi lility of. disguised Bulgar troops. 1 The Salonika correspondent of II Seccolo says that General Sarrail .informed him. that he is calmly awaiting the enemy to cross the Greek frontier. Possibly the Bulgarians may not do so; the military may, for political considerations prevent them, as they have sustained very heavy losses. Events will find us ready to resist all attacks, and the British' Itaff officers are equally confident. , i The Daily News’ Rome correspondent says that Greece’s.,reply to the Au stro-G erinane -protest j {declare ithat she is powerless to prevent the fortifications at Salonika's these are indispensable to the safety of the AngloFrench armifes,\ which she guaranteed as Serbia’s ally. The‘reply is not likely to satisfy the Austro-Germans, but the latter are cautious, fearing that the insistence of their demands will compel Greece to join the Entente.

Mr Stevens, in the Daily Telegraph, writes: There are three ways open for the enemy’s advance to Salonika —from the north by Ghevgeli and Doix-an, from the east by the Djirhissar, crossing at Strumnitza or at Odaksi’ and reaching Lachana; and from the west by Monastic, the railway. The eastern route presents transport difficdl&d&, and from the western the enemy must pass the Greek army. Meanwhile the Allies are fortifying the approaches to Salonika, which they are confident they will be to defend.’ The Bulgarians have begun a new offensive west of Strayga, with the object of Occupying the road to El Bassan. London, December 19.

Mr Shepperd gives a,vivid impression of the last days at Monastic. On November 12'he saw a regiment of Serb farmers and workmen, armed with shovels, going oui a few miles to dig trenches, this being the first sign that the city was endangered. Far to the northward the little Serb army was falling back against terrific, odds, and the shovel brigade revealed the whole story. The noise of the enemy guns was like distant thunder, and gradually came nearer. Colonel Niketsch. of the Serb headquarters, informed the correspondents tlhat the Serbs had done their utmost, but were retiring. Only two regiments were left from Babuna Pass, and they would hold Prilep for two days, retire to Monastic and hold it for three days, and finally evacuate it. Colonel Niketsch refused sympathy. Standing erect and proud, he said simply: “It is war. The Serbs have done their utmost. The trenches on the outskirts are purposely made on the hillside to prevent retreat. The Serbian motto of Monastic is.to fight out to the last man and the last breath.” New York, December 20.

| A correspondent of the Chicago Daily News says that after five days’' bloody battle at Prizrend the Serbians fired the last shell, spiked their gnns. and fled in disorder towards Albania. Three thousand retreated through the Ipek passes, which the Austrians quickly closed, and the Bulgurs closed the Dibra route. Seventy thousand Serbians engaged at Prizrend struggled to enter Lumkulus Pass by a narrow gorge. One half entered, and then . the Bulgars got

the range and closed the entrance, all attempting to enter being killed, the artillery for five hours wreaking a terrific slaughter on the non-resist-ing Serbians. Finally the Bulgars carried off forty-six thousand prisoners. The first contingent of those traversing the Lumkulus- Pass were mainly men who were infected with wounds and blistered feet. Though faced with starvation they reached Scutari, after thirteen days’ march from Prizrend. They started with only three days’ supply of bread, and when a horse fell exhausted the soldiers skinned it and ate the meat raw, which was torn by bayonets from the carcase. The road was snow-cov-ered and shelterless. The men waded nine streams, which were up to their armpits. ' and their clothing was frozen, but they dared not stop to light fires. They plunged on day and night, fearing death and hunger. Subsequent contingents killed all their horses for food. General Putnik, commander-in-chief, was so feeble that the men carried him across the mountains to Scutari.