The Balkans

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 258, 10 April 1915, Page 5

The Balkans

THE BULGARIAN RAID. AN INVESTIGATION ASKED. OPINION IN SERVIA AND GREECE. London, April 8. Nish oflicial reports state that the invasion was by regulars. As Bulgarians deny that these bands were formed or equipped in Bulgarian territory, and persist in pretending that it was a rising of the Macedonian populartion against alleged Servian oppression, Servian journalists beg European journalists to send representatives to investigate. Athens declares that well-informed quarters consider the Servian frontier incident likely to lead to seriout complications. Without wishing to criticise our gallant and much-enduring allies, it is true that the Servian administration of her newly won. territorities left something to be desired. Athens, April 8. The King of Greece officially denies that he ever consented to negotiations for the cession of Greek territory as alleged by M. Venezelos. A GERMAN SCHEME. BLOODTHIRSTY BULGARIANS. MURDERERS EVENTUALLY BEATEN BACK. Received April 9, 11.40 p.m. London, April 0. The Daily Mail's Salonika correspondent has returned from the scene of the incursion of Bulgarian irregulars. He believes ithe attack was part of the Germans' glneral war scheme. About three thousand irregulars surrounded a group of Servian soldiers shei♦frinj; in r. but near Strumnitza station. The Bulgarians fired the hut and as the men attempted to escape bayonetted them and drove them back / into the flames. The upper portions of their bodies were gashed by numerous bayonet thrusts, and the lower part roasted away. Eight hundred irregulars rushed the village of Valanbovo and killed ninetynine out of a hundred troops. When they came into conflict with a Servian regiment a fierce hand-to-hand fight ensued. The Servians declared that they heard orders given in German. After a four hours' fight the irregulars failed. It is believed they lost five hundred. The Servians lost 227.