In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 47, 30 May 1916, Page 5

In the Balkans

INVASSON OF GHZECE. RETIREMENT SEFORE THE BULGARS. FORTIFICATIONS OCCUPIED. Unit-bd Pvwmfi Ahsooiattot* Salonika, May 28. Twenty-five thousand Bulgarians crossed the frontier and occupied Ilupel pass and demanded the surrender of the Greek 'fort and earthworks'',at the entrance of the Struma gorge, near Demir Hissar, giving the garrjspn two liours to retire. The Greek outposts made a lively resistance, hut the forces finally withdrew upon instructions from Athens.

i The Bulgarians then occupied the station and the bridge of Demir Hissar. There is considerable enemy activity on the banks of the Meske, near Xanthia, where pontoons are collecting. Everything points to an important movement of Greeks in Macedonia.

CREEKS EVACUATE RUPEL. DUE TO ENEMY THREAT. Athens, May 28. The Premier and the War Office had an important conference and decided upon their course of action. They informed the Allies they were justified in the evacuation of Repel, owing to the German and Bulgarian threat to occupy the place forcibly. The Bulgars crossed the frontier at three o'clock in the morning. The German and Bulgar superior officers informed the Greek commander that they were obliged to seize Rupel fort in order to assure the Bulgarian left flank against an Allies' attack. They added that they would occupy all the forts in the Demir Hissar region which the Greeks recently constructed to protect the sector against a Bulgar invasion.

ANOTHER FORCE OF INVADERS. Other; forces of Bulgars have occupied Dervendu defile and invaded the plain: westi ofmthe Struma* and are now marching on to Kavallapon the coast. Venizelist ; newspapers, in "the strongest articles, are denouncing the invasion. '*•"''' a I H ;>..! •' ','•''' Later reports state' that! the Bulgars have occupied-four more forts, including fort Oagotine, and have also reached the Spatovo. There are considerable movements of Bulgars in the Oxilar sector. Engineers are bridging the Nestos. It is semi-officially stated that the Government has under consideration the concessions made to the Entente Allies, and desire the observance of strict neutrality. THE TRAIL OF TINO. The Government i has consented to the occupation of the fortress of Rupel, adding that the Germans/and 1 Bulgars have signed an agreement to restore the fortress and gun s and material when there, is no longer any reason to justify its occupation. ; The Government is shortly issuing a communique, pointing out that no other course was possible, since the hostilities would inevitably have followed. It was analogous to the facilities already accorded to the Entente, and it would be incompatible with (Greek neutrality to make a distinction (between the belligerents.

I GERMAN STRATEGY. Salonika reports that Rupel Pass is practically the key to the series. Demir Hissar plain constitutes the neck of the bottle to Struma valley, and is also the most direct route to Sofia. The commander of the Kula. position, unable to boar the mortification of seeing the Bulgars .invade Greece, disobeyed his 1 y ! general's orders and opened firo on the Bulgarians, who did not advance. When categorical orders from Athens were received, the Greeks evacuated Kula. Only a German division remains on the Salonika, front, but the Bulgarians have been stiffened by a proportion of German officers and non-coms. MUCH INDIGNATION IN MACEDONIA.

Athens, May 29. The Greek population in Macedonia are indignant at the Bulgar invasion, and adherents of the Government are joining the Venizelists in denouncing the policy of opening Macedonian nations to their hereditary and implacable enemies. Venizelist newspapers are appearing with black borders, and the Kyrix, a Venizelist journal, asks: "Why is the Greek army mobilised?"

THE ADVANCING ENEMY. CREEK? F-LLINC BACK BEFORE : Vttii INVADERS. SERVIANS IN ALLIES' FRONT LINE. ANTI-BULCARIAN DEMONSTRATIONS IN SALONIKA. (Hereived 1f1;35 a.m.) Salonika, May 29. The Bulgarian division from Xnnthi is rapidly approaching Nestos bridge, and a brigade is advancing up the Struma Valley from Petritch. ITlilans have occupied Demir Hissar railway station. ' rt is believed that the Greek garrison have evacuated Demir Hissar. The presence of Bulgar and German patrols in the Demir Hissar region compelled the French to discontinue the motor service for supplying the Greeks in Eastern Macedonia. The Greeks in North-Eastern Macedonia are falling back on Virria. The Servians are claiming the privilege of fighting in the Allies' front rank.

A huge gathering at St. Sophia, Salonika, demonstrated against Bulgaria. Strong speeches were made, and they denounced the Premier. The crowd cheered M. Venizelos, and the Allies, and telegraphed to the King protesting!against the abandonment of forts which had been built with the blood of martyrs. The crowd tried to wreck. a cafe where a number of Greek soldiers cheered some Germans, French gendarmes assisting in keeping off the crowd.