IS GREECE SINCERE?

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 14 December 1915, Page 5

IS GREECE SINCERE?

■y CONSTANTINE’S ANTIPATHY TO BULGARIA - \ BULGARS SUFFER TERRIBLE LOSSES SERVIANS AT SALONIKA ■ i ■■■ ■£* ALLIES FORGES ACCUMULATING BALKAN ATTITUDE STILL UNCERTAIN \ heavy cannonading in THE WEST TUJBKS REPULSED AT DARDANELLES

GREEKS TO OPPOSE BULGARS. KEPT OFF GREEK TERRITORY. AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. LONDON, December 13. Mr. Martin Donohue, at Athens, iarns from the- highest source that Yeece is prepared to go to any ;ngths to prevent the Bulgarians, who re their heriditary enemies, from acting foot on the sacred soil of Greece. ALLIES TO HOLD SALONIKA. A DEFINITE ANNOUNCEMENT. LONDON, Dec. 13. Reuter definitely announces that the Hies will not quit Salonika. MORE BRITISH AT SALONIKA SALONIKA, Dec. 13. Further British troops landed on riday. 2,000 SERBIANS AT SALONIKA. rRANYfERRED FROM DURAZZO. W . LONDON, Dec. 13. There is" l! a German rumour that 000 Serbians have arrived at Sa»»ka from Durazzo, and that other* •e coming.

THE BRITISH RETREAT.

THRILLING PARTICULARS

LONDON", December 13. The difficulties of the fighting 1 in Macedonia are described by Reuter’s irrespondent at the British headquarrs. Last week he visited Hill 516, nbraeing ten miles of the British ont and the u hall-marked” junction ! the Franco-British positions. The ritish were east of the Doiran-Strmn-tza road, which is the only motor oroughfare, the remainder being a >at track through hilly scrub couny. The difficulties are illustrated by e fact that it took two hours to ach a mile from the track. The *ench destroyed and railway idges as they withdrew. The Bulgars’ first attack was no* gorous, but,the second onslaught was ore severeMßinder cover of a dense ist, which prevented the accuracy of r long-range field guns. The Bulgams used mobile mountain guns, openg a murderous fire at close range, cposed to this hot gruelling, and reatened on the flank owing to the •ench retirement, our position soon came untenable. The Irish Division is withdrawn to a prepared second ie. There was much bayoneting, in lich the Connaughts, Munsters, and iblins surpassed again and again, ie enemy were driven off by a series close encounters, hut the enemy’s periority in numbers could not fail predominate. While we were retirt, the second line of the French andoned the bridge-head at Gradet?., d Hill 516. It is difficult to exaggerthe importance „of our stand. Had e Bulgarians through, they mid have cutthe.retreat of the lin body of thWrench and British, tr new positions are now of great ■ength.

A GERMAN RETIREMENT. AMSTERDAM,. Dee. 13. A Paris says: A Ger,n Imtery tjefore the French troops Friday night retired without fight- , on the Smokgica-Doiran line. BULGAK ATTACKS REPULSED. AMSTERDAM, Dee. 33. several Bulgarian attacks were raised on Saturday by the Allies.

GERMANY CANNOT KELP GREECE. BUT WILL RETALIATE ON PRISONERS. ATHENS, Dec. 13. A message from Berlin to Neahelhis states that Austro-Germany are unable to help Greece against the Allies with men, owing to shortage of men, but if the Allies blockade Greece, Germany will reduce prisoners’ rations; and if Greek ports are bombarded, Germany will retaliate by destroying French, Russian, and Servian towns. ENEMY LOSSES IN SERBIA., SOME HUGE FIGURES. (Reed. 10.15 a.m.) PARTS, December 13. The Petit Journal says the war in Serbia ha s cost the Germans 27,000 'dead, 43,000 wounded, and 4700 sick. Austrian losses were 23,000 dead, 48,000 wounded and 51,000 sick. Bulgarians lost 11,000 dead, 32,000 wounded and 8000 sick. Turkish losses were 3000 dead and 14000 wounded. RETIRING FROM GHEVGELI. | BULGARIANS LOSE 8000. THE FRENCH WITHDRAW. WITH ALL WAR MATERIAL. (Reed. 10.15 a.m.) SALONIKA, December 13. After the two last assaults on the British lines, the Bulgarians abandoned 8000 dead and wounded. These had faced the murderous fire to within 300 yards, the survivors fled.

When the French abandoned Ghevgeli, they withdrew with all war material and numerous prisoners.

FRENCH TO FORTIFY SALONIKA, AMSTERDAM, Dee. 13. The French newspaper L’Opinion states that General Sarrail has notified the Government of his intention to fortify Salonika immediately. THE ALLIES IN SERBIA. RETREATING OYER GREEK BORDER. HEAVY LOSSES IN MEN AND MATERIAL. LONDON, Dec. 12. A German communique states: The Anglo-French, after decisive defeats inflicted by Genral Theodorow, are in a wretched situation, and are retreating across the Greek border. They are suffering extremely heavy losses in men and in every kind of war material. VIOLENT BULGARIAN ATTACKS. LONDON, December 13. Paris messages declare that the Bulgarians are violently attacking in the Kosturina-Doiran sector, and developing an attack along the Petro-Stjrum-nitja line, also against the eastern line, held by the British. BRITISH AT KAVALA. A GERMAN REPORT. . • •COPENHAGEN, Dec. 13. There is a German rumour that two British divisions have' landed at Kavala. (Kavala is a Greek town on the Aegean coast.)

A'GALLIPOLI AN WINTER. C)UR MEN’S DIFFICULTIES. TURKS SUFFERING TERRIBLY. ILL CLAD AND NO BLANKETS. (Reed. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, December 13. Reuters correspondent at the Dardanelles writing on December 3, says there are pictures of wintry conditions, winter having arrived earlier than expected. Trenches at Suvla are flooded and the stamina of the British troops is severely tried. They stood it better than the Turks, who quitted the trenches and were shot sitting on the parapets. Several prisoners were in a pitiable condition, being poorly clad, and they complained they were given cnly half rations. It appeared that the severe weather, combined with aeroplanes and warships bombardment, was hampering the Turk’s communications. Recently Turkish artillery has been more active, and New Zealanders were subjected to a night attack which was only half-hearted and was easily repulsed. Colonials, including the Maoris, withstood the intense cold satisfactorily and cheerfully. The indications! are that owing to their splendid physique and resourcefulness they will stand the severe weather that is ahead, even better than their British comrades. A storm somewhat damaged our boats' and barges, but inter-communi-cation g were restored. Oh two occasions recently the Turks, thinking we might be evacuating our positions, quitted their trenches at night in order to reconnoitre in considerable numbers, for the most part they were not molested, our officers wishing to encourage their belief, and hoping they would come in greater numbers. The weather is normal, but it is expected to be severe in January and February. It is hoped the troops will then have received their wet weather clothing, including, thigh boots and waterproof capes. They will then be better prepared than the enemy. Supply conditions are more difficult here than in France, but every possible effort is being made to cope with the unusual cicumstances.

Later information showp. that the enemy suffered greatly by the storm, and many having neither blankets or underclothing must have perished, as several bodies and mules were washed down into our trenches.

TURKISH TRANSPORT SUNK. LONDON, Dec. 13. A Turkish transport of 8,000 tons was submarined in the Sea of Marmora. AMSTERDAM, Dee. 13. Athens has reported that a Ccnstau- I tinople message states that the transport Rechid Pasha was punk near SiPvria. in the Sea of Marmora, by a French submarine. It is stated that only seven of the transports are Deft, the others having been submarined, j LORD DERBY’S RESULTS. j TRIUMPH FOR VOLUNTARISM. A LABOUR'LEADER’S VIEW. 3>MORE MEN STILL REQUIRED. (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) LONDON, December 13. The Daily Telegraph says so far as we can judge Lord Derby’s scheme has resulted in a great triumph for the voluntary system. It is believed that his report will he vefiy different from what was anticipated a week ago. The Times says the whole issue of the scheme will turn upon whether a sufficient proportion of young men f

have enlisted. Mr. Lodge, M.P., chairman of the labour party, in a speech at Birmingham, said, “I am afraid that even the last rally has not given all the men required.” FRENCH AND BRITISH. FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES. A JUNCTION SUGGESTED. (Reed. 8.25 a.ra.) LONDON, December 13. The French deputy M. Bouillon is visiting London with the view of arranging to join the French and British Foreign Affairs Committee, selected from members of parliament. THE KINGSHIP OF CHINA. NO ONE VOTED REPUBLIC. (Reed. 8.25 a m.) LONDON, December 13. The Daily. Telegraph’s Pekin correspondent says it is confidently believed that not a single vote in the whole of China was cast in favour of a republic, although two-thirds of the natcin were heart aud soul against the change. This is another proof of the easiness obtaining from the results of money, organisation and sitMelrfiige,

A NATIONAL TOWN. AROUND MUNITION WORKS. LAST WORD IN SOCIAL EXPERIMENT. (Reed. 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 13. Georgetown is the' name residents have given to a new State controlled town which has mysteriously sprung up in an unnamed corner of Britain. Mr. Lie,yd George found it an ideal spot for munition works and decided to found a town there for workers. Some, consider it the last word as a social experiment; streets are numbered in sequence, and everything else is equally up-to-date, including schools, clubs, banks and post office. Public houses are called canteens and even cinemas are all national. There is no mayor, town clerk or committees, thereyis simply a town manager, who combines all the municipal func.'ions: rente, alre at a. ■minimum and rates aie non-existent. Shops are run co-opera-tively and the police lent (?) at Government expense. Motors form the neuclus of a national omnibus service. Whatever the result of the experiment may be, many are satisfied that the town with its vast works has come to stay.

ANXIETY CONCERNING TRADE. BLOCKADE MUST NOT BE RELAXED. (Reed. 8.25 a.m. LONDON, December 13. Sir Edward Carson, in a letter to the Times, states tint he : s filled with deep anxiety concerning the trade agreement with Denmark, cabled on the sixth. He believes tne nation will greatly resent re-u.cmebm on any grounds, the principles of blockade. Parliament, is kept ignorant of the miltiary situation, also of the policy regarding’ the use of our naval supremacy. STATEMENT BY VENIZELOS. GREECE SHOULD ASSIST SEE VIA.

LONDON, December 11

The Times’’ Athens correspondent states that an important statement by M. Yenisei os which was submitted to Kin" Constantine has boev published with ills permission. though the Tving is not in personal agreement withi.it. M. Venizelos states that it is net a fact that the GrecoSerbian treaty exonerated Greece from rendering assistance if Serbia were attacked by other Powers in addition; to Bulgaria. The treaty was absolutely binding on Greece. It was a political mistake of great magnitude to abandon Serbia to her fate, as it leaves Greece at the mercy of strengthened and brutal Bulgaria. Greece had a great opportunity at small risk of liberating the ,Greeks in Turkey, and building up a greater Greece, including parts of Asia Minor, Thrace, and Cyprus. King Constantino doubtless /olt the danger too great, but the Constitution did not give the King the right the override his Ministers and Parliament. It was untrue to'say that he (VenizeIbs) favoured a republic. M. Yenizelos adds that 53 Yentzelists Deputies are with the colours; 25 Ministerial Deputies are also mobilised. The Venizelists were offered six days’ leave at election time, while the Ministerialists Deputies were giveii full leave. Consequently the Venizelist majority was extinguished immediately after the e>elions. The Government also offered their supporters in the Army leave to vote, while refusing it to Venizclts* snpoprters, hence the competition was too great. He and his party were obliged to protest by their absence from the elections.

WHEN THE PEOPLE CONTROL. INSTEAD OF KINGS AND DIPLOMATS, LABOURS ATTITUDE IN BRITAIN. (Reed. 5.25 a.m.) LOJNDON, December 13. u Snowden, M.P., speaking' at j Glasgow, said, after the war labour must resume the economic struggle wherein it was being weakened in the meantime by sacrifices willingly made at the call of national patriotism. Labour never said stop the war, but it demanded such a peace as would make a repetition impossible. There were now greater signs of a reasonable spirit in the desire for peace in Continental countries to-day than in Britain. Permanent peace was only possible when the Continental- peoples instead of their Kings and diplomats control foreign alfah s.

ENEMY SUBMARINE ACTIVITY. IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. MUST BE SUPPRESSED. (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) LONDON, December 13. The Daily Chronicle’s naval correspondent says it is disquieting though not alarming that the enemy is displaying Mediterranean activities, which promise to threaten the safety of the Allies’ shipping. Submarine menace in the North Sea is practically suppressed, but Austro-German submarines have latterly wrought destruction in the eastern and western Mediterranean, and we must he prepared for other losses of some kind as the approaches to Salonika are bound to attract submarine action. By our ability or inability to secure safe passage in the Mediterranean our Empire will stand or fall. We must hold effective command of the Mediterranean.

THE ANCONA DISASTER. EXPECTED BREAK IN U.S.-AUS-TRIAN RELATIONS. LONDON, Dec. 13. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent says the feeilng in Govrnment circles is that there is a strong probability of a break with Austin. unless the reply is prompt and satisfactory. It is now admitted that relations between Austro-Germany anr America are strained, being held together by the slenderest diplomatic threads, the severing of which would not cause surprise. GERMAN REPORTS. BRITISH ATTACK IN FLANDERS. STOPPED BY ENTANGLEMENTS. LONDON, Dec. 13. A German communique states that small British detachments made a surprise attempt to penetrate thier positions eastward of Neuve Chapelle, but it collapsed before the wire entanglements. (5,500 MEN AND 40 GUNS LOST. LONDON, Dee. 13. A German communique states: Wo repulsed weak Russian forces approaching our positions southward cJaeobstadt and Pinsk. The Austrians, while pursuing the enemy in the mountains on the Albanian frontier, have taken prisoners 0,500 enemy during the last two days. The enemy was forced to abandon 40 guns between Rozaj and Ipek. (Ipek is a few miles over the Montenegrin frontier.) GREECE COMING TO REASON. STORM CLOUDS ROLL BY. GOOD NEWS FROM SALONIKA.

LONDON, Dor.lß. Conflicting reports continue to come from Salonika.

Renter transmits a sensational ment, which had been publishd in Salonika, that the Greek staff officers are conferring with General Sarrail. and have informed the latter that in too event of the Bulgarians crossing the Greek frontier in pursuit of the Allies, the Greek army would retire before the Bulgarians, in order to avoid dangerous contact.

An official communique published Sn Athens to-day states that pourparlerat Salonika between the Entente’s and Greece’s military leaders, are now orcfinitly approaching a satisfactory solution.