BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1915, Page 5

BALKANS.

FALL OF BELGRADE. DEFENDERS IN RETREAT SERBIA MUST BE CRUSHED. London, Oct. 10. The Germans claim that Belgrade lias fallen. Nish, Oct. 10. The capture of Belgrade is officially admitted Berlin, Oct. 10. Official: The heights south-west and east of Belgrade are in the possession of the Austro-German forces. The Serbians are retreating east. Amsterdam, Oct. 10. The Frankfurter Zeitung says: "Our campaign in Serbia must first give free communication across the north-eastern corner of Serbia. Serl>ia must be crushed. That is the object of the elaborate operations mow begun,"

QUICK ACTION NECESSARY. TRAITOR KING REPROACHED. Paris, Oct. 10. Newspapers, discussing the Balkans situation, state that the Entente nations are united regarding the effort required to avert the peril. Each must take a' share. Military critics declare they must solidly impede the Germans' advance, and then the Allies must rush in from all sides. The Gaulois declare? that it is necessary to act quickly. While we are discussing, the Austro-Gerniana are advancing.

The Duke de Montpensier has telegraphed reproaching King Ferdinand, who is a prince of the French race, for having thrown himself into the anna of the Turks,, his enemies of yesterday, against France, who is defending the liberties of the peoples. The telegram concludes: "Your degenerate heart is leading you towards 'bands of assassins, robbers and traitors. I disavow you. To-day I know you better, and leave you to your apostasy, your remorse, your Turks and your Bosches."

"IT IS ALL OVER." A BULGARIAN MINISTER RESIGNS. Paris, Oct. 10. M. Jladjarieff, Bulgarian Minister at Potrograd, has resigned, disapproving o£ his Government's attitude, lie will main at Petrograd. Official: Tile Bulgarian. Minister has departed. One of his secretaries on the crowded quay exclaimed, "It is all over; we are oil' to this miserable war."

GREECE'S PART. AN INTERESTING DECLARATION. Athens, Oct. 10. The newspaper Kairoi states that after the mobilisation order was signed the King asked M. Venizelos what was the purpose of concentrating a large force on the Macedonian frontier.

M. Venizelos replied: "Firstly to defend the country; secondly, to assist Serbia if Bulgaria attacks her." King Constantino said he agreed regarding the defence of Greece, but did not consider it desirable that Greece should aid Serbia.

M. Venizelos recalled the treaty, but King Constantine said that Serbia refused to help .Greece against Turkey in May, 1914, and added that M. Venizelos himself (lid not desire to send an army when the Entente asked Greece to help Serbia against Austria. On the contrary, he demanded as a condition Roumanian co-operation, Bulgarian neutrality, and military help from Britain, France, and Russia.

To-day, concluded King Constantine, the Austro-Germans number half a million, the Bulgarians 300,000, and the Russian retreat prevents Rouinania helping the Serbians.

EXCITING THE BULGAR. KING FERDINAND'S DELUSIONS. Paris, Get. 10. A communique says:—The Germans triumphantly announce the crossing of the Save, Drina, and Danube. As a matter of fact only weak forces succeeded in reaching the Serbian bank; the greater part were hurled back into the rivejrs. The announcement of the Austro-Germau success is really made in order to excite the Bulgarians to begin the offensive, which the German army greatly needs.

The cynicism of Bulgaria's proclamation that it must iight on tile side of the conqueror reveals a delightful simplicity. During the second Balkan war King Ferdinand also believed lie was on j the victorious side. BULGARIA AND GERMANY. Rome, Oct. 10. The Corriere dclia Sera states that the German-Bulgarian agreement for military co-operation dates from April, but its execution was deferred owing to Italy's intervention. GERMAN SUBMARINES AT VARNA. Rome, Oct. 10. Four German submarines, the parts of which were sent through Bulgaria and reconstructed at Varna, were in readiness in September. ALBANIAN REVOLT NIPPED IN THE BUD. Rome, Oct. 10. Salonika reports state that Essad Pasha is worthy of praise for checking the revolt which Austro-Bnlgarian agents are stirriug up in Albania. BULGARIAN MINISTER RETURNS, Sofia, Oct. 10. The Bulgarian Minister to Serbia lias returned to ISulgaria, GREEK MOBILISATION ENDED. Paris, Oc-t. 10. The Greek mobilisation lias concluded and headquarters have been established 'fit Salonika.