FRENCH TROOPS UNDER FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1915, Page 5

FRENCH TROOPS UNDER FIRE.

ATTACKED BY LARGE BULGAR FORCE. Received Oct. 18, 0 p.m. Athens, Oct. 17. The French troops in Macedonia are receiving their baptism of fire near the railway bridge at Valandova, where forty thousand Bulgarians are attacking. Fighting is proceeding. THE DUPLICITY OF GREECE. HOW VENIZELOS PLAYED TEE CARDS Received Oct. 18, 8 p.m. London, Oct. 17. Dr. Dillon writing from Rome, affirms that Greece's attitude was rendered as it is by the formal arrangement between the Kaiser and King Conatantine, and can be modified in our favor only by an irresistiblo pressure of circumstances which has yet to be created. King Constantino's object is to redeem the pledge given to his brother-in-law without incurring the anger of the Allies, whoso command of the seas puts Greece at tno.r mercy. Hence M. Venizelos kept ready for any emergency. ITALIAN COMMENT. ON IMPERFECT HARMONY. Received Oct. 18, 9.15 pm.. London, Oct. 17. Doctor Dillon reports from Rome that Italian newspapers, in commenting on Sir Edward Grey's speech, frankly discuss the imperfect harmony which has lately prevailed in the French Cabinet, and between the French' Cabinet and the British Foreign Office. The newspapers point out that the dissension was remedied by the sacrifice of M. Delcasse. PROGRESS OF THE ALLIES. ATTACK ON STRUMNITZA. Received Oct. 18, 11.35 p.m. New York, Oct. 18. Reuter's correspondent reports that the Allies are attacking Strunmitza, and the fall of the town is imminent. (Struranitfca is a town d>opulation 8000). in Turkey, 00 miles north-west of Salonika.) OCCUPATION ASSURED. Received Oct. 19, 1.55 a.m. London, Oct. 18. The occupation of Strumnitza, which is the protection to the railway from Salonika is assured. DEFENCE OF BELGRADE. HEROIC CONDUCT OF CROWN PRINCE. Received Oct. lp, 1.5*3 a.m. London, Oct. 18. Two German newspapers pay tribute to the heroic bravery of the Serbians. The Crown Prince directed the defences of Belgrade to the last, and never thought of flight until the enemy was within the town, when he escaped, along with the captain of the General Staff. The rest of the Staff were either captured or had been killed jn the fighting.

NOTES FROM LONDON. ITALY NOT LIKELY TO SEND TROOPS. SOME FIERCE FIGHTING. BULGARIANS DISAPPOINTED. Received Oct. 18, 11.35 p.m. London, Oct. 18. Latest news shows that there is little prospect of Italy sending an.army to .the Balkans, though she hints at assisting in other directions. 'The Bulgarians are striking at Kuinanovo, which the Allies are seeking to reach and fortify before the Bulgarians are able to separate the Serbians from the Allies. Athens messages that forty thousand troops are attacking Valandovo and Houdovo Bridge. , Fighting continued till mid-day on Sunday without the Bulgarians securing a decisive result. Reuter's correspondent at Athens says it is unofficially stated that the Serbians and Allies at Valandovo repulsed the Bulgarians, who are retreating to Strumnitza. The Bulgarians are disappointed at the smallness of the German forces sent to help them. Diplomatic circles state that General Mackensen has demanded reinforcements in order to continue an offensive along the whole front. He admits that the advance has been slow and at great cost.