THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

THE ADVANCE ON SERBIA. i UNDER GENERAL MACXENSEX. London, Oct. 4. A Bulgarian official statement denies the arrival of German officers, and says that none are helping in the administration of the railways pr army. Jl. Radoslavoff'a political position for the past two J jars has been unshaken. Bucharest, Oct. 4.'

A traveller from Hungary reports that a quarter of a million troops and. two thousand guns are advancing towards Serbia under the command of General -\la«ken.sen.

The Bulgarian War Ministry have .to submit all orders for the approval of Austro-German officers.

A correspondent of the newspaper Epoca states that Austro-German artillery is moving towards Serbia. It includes 17-inch guns. It is expected that General Mackenscn will establish his headquarters at Verschetz, fifty miles north-east of Belgrade. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.)

London, Oct. 4. The Echo de Paris says that the British and French are in complete agreement over the Balkans situation, and military measures have been prepared. There are eighty thousand AustroGennans on the Serbian frontier, with an enormous concentration behind.

Le Temps has been informed from a well-informed source that a definite agreement has been concluded between Bulgaria and the Central Powers, The Duke of Mecklenburg is said to have succeeded in overcoming the difficulty.

PASSIVITY OF GREECE. ALLIES TO LAND AT SALONIKA. Athens, Oct. 4. The Government has taken possession of three railway lines in Macedonia, of which two are worked t»y Austrian companies and one by a French company. Greek newspapers refer in a moderate tone to the proposed landing at Salonika. It is generally realised that it is best passively to let events take their course, in view of the fact that the Allies have constantly shown a- friendly interest in Greece.

Six German aviators have arrived at Sofia. Skilled laborers are leaving Constantinople in groups for Bulgaria.

MARTIAL LAW IN BULGARIA. FLEETS OFF VARNA. Paris, Oct. 4. j Lc Temps states that Sofia is practically under martial law. The price of bread is fixed and meetings are prohibited. The Municipal Council has decided to name the three principal squares Berlin, Budapest, and Vienna, while German and Bulgarian song 3 are sung in the cafes. Payments are made in 'marks, and many other Teutonising signs are apparent.

Le Petit I'arisicu reports a traveller from Bulgaria as saying that the rulers at Sofia are fooling the public. One day they are issuing proclamations that the army is going to march against Turkey and the next day proclaiming that the mobilisations are against Vienna. Soldiers declare that they will not fight against their old Russian comrades, and most of the troops lack enthusiasm. It is reported that Germany is allowing Bulgaria a monthly indemnity of fifty million marks. Home. Oct. 4. The Tribuna states that two powerful Russian squadrons are threatening Varna. GERMAN IMPUDENCE. OVERTURES TO GREECE AND ROU MANIA. Received Oct. 5, 5.3 p.m. Paris, Oct. 4. Le Petit Parisien's Sofia correspondent says that Germany, in order to obtain tlie intervention of 'Bulgaria, guarantees neutrality to Greece ami liournania, without really knowing the attitude of either. INTEREST IN LONDONWESTERN FRONT AFFAIRS t NEGLECTED. Received October 5, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 4. The Balkans situation forms the absorbing topic in London, and interest is transferred from the British ofjnsive in the West. The ultimatum expires at 2 o'clock this afternoon (London time), and the evening papers are await- [ I'd with the most intense eagerness.

The newspapers discuss the result in the event of Bulgaria partaking in the war, and have published frontier maps, with special articles showing the strength of the Balkan States.

SATISFACTION IN ITALY.

ACTIVITY IN ROU.MANIA. Received Oct. ,">, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Oct. 4. I.e Matin's Ruine correspondent stales Uial the announcement that the landing of Allied troops at Salonika has been definitely decided on lias created extreme

satisfaction in Italy, where the prospect of so turbulent a Power as Bulgaria establishing itself in the Adriatic could not leave Italy indifferent. Pome. Oct. 4.

Atlike; from Bucharest report that there k Hi.' greatest activity in Kimmaniii. ami precautionary Military measures on nil frontioiv. II Skpolo states that the Roumanian Government is greatly impressed with the possibility of hundreds of thousands of the Entente armies landing in the Jlalk.ini.

NO ANSWER VET. Received Oct, 5, 8.5p p.m. London, Oct. fi. Reuter in London learns that tit a late hour on Monday no reply to the Russian ultimatum had bc"n received.