THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

SERBIA'S SORRY PLIGHT THE ALLIES TOO LATE. DUPLICITY OF GREECE. Received Nov. 1, 8.35 p.m. London, Oct. 31. Doctor Dillon, from Rome, writes that now a junction has been effected of the Austro-Gcrmans, Bulgarians, and Turks, the utmost the Allies can hope to achieve is the preservation of the Serbian army's maintenance on Serbian soil. If it is driven into Albania, the consequences will be extremely grave. Greece's real interests in Albania have recently become greater. Tile Serbians cannot possibly resist an enemy five times superior numerically, and the Anglo-French troops, owing to lack of time, cannot despatch sufficient numbers to reinforce them. Greece and King Constantine, without the slightest doubt, are in league with our enemies, and King Constantine will redeem his promise to the Kaiser. If neutrality is untenable lie will side with the AustroGermans, unless constrained by the Entente, but if the Entente bestir themselves they may transform the enemies' advantage into a source of weakness.

TO THE LAST MAN. SERBIA'S DECISION. Received Nov. I, 10.50 p.m. Paris, Nov. 1. The Serbian Minister states that the Serbians are now assured of effective Allied co-operation and will fight to tlie last man.

FROM THE ENEMY SIDE. PROGRESS EVERYWHERE. Received Nov, 1. 10.50 p.m. Amsterdam. Nov. 1. An Austrian communique says: We stormed several strong Serbian positions at Titanovac capturing four guns. Germans co-operated and entered the town. Our troops are progressing everywhere north-west of Kragujevac, and the Germans captured the heights south-west of Lapovo. A "Bulgarian communique says: Since the capture of Pirot on Thursday, we defeated and are pursuing the Serbians. The Anglo-French fleets have resumed the bombardment of the Aegean coast.

THE FINAL BATTLE. EXPECTED IN THREE WSEKS. Received Nov. ), 10.50 p.m. Copenhagen, Nov. 1. A message from the Austrian front, says that it is expected the final battle between the Austro-Oermans and the Serbians will occur in three weeks' time, at Kragucsoevar. BULOAR REINFORCEMENTS. Received Nov. 1. 5.5 p.m. Athens, Oct. SI. The Bulgarians are pouring rcinfoivemejits into Krivolak. in view of the critical position at Uskub.

SERBIAN ARMIES STILL INTACT. ALL WELL IF REINFORCEMENTS COME. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Oct. 31. The Serbian Legation discounts the Austro-German advance. The armies are still intact and it lias always been recognised as an impossibility to prevent the Germans from over-running the north-east corner. The Franco-Serti offensive in Macedonia justifies the optimism that speedy reinforcements will not only save the Serbian army, but also will possibly prevent the triumphant entry of the Germans into Constantinople.

SERBIANS BATTLING ON. BRITISH TROOPS LINK UP. Paris, Oct. 31. A Serbian eouimunkjut l states that fierce lighting continues on the southern Morava front while the Timok army is taking up new rearward positions. The army defending Pirot was compelled to withdraw its wings behind ths town. The enemy's superior numbers repelled the Serbians some miles on the north-western front. Fresh AustroBavarian mountain troops have arrived. The British troops have joined with the Serbians.

A NEW POINT OF ATTACK. MONTENEGRINS RETREAT. Rome, Oct. 31. Tt is officially announced that the Austrians have crossed the Drina near Vishegrad after desperate fighting. The Montenegrins have retreated to their second line of defences. An artillery duel continues.

RUSSIA'S AID. SENDING A MILT,ION MEN. London, Got. 31. The Daily Chronicle's Balkan correspondent says that a million Russians under General Davidoff are moving towards Bulgaria,

TOO LATE FOR REGRETS. CROCODILE TEA US FROM BULGAR PREMIER. Copenhagen, Oct. 31. M. Rodoslavoff, in an interview with the Cologne Gazette's correspondent, said that Bukarinns deplored the coildiet with Russia. The latter had, however, systematically ignored Bulgaria's righteous aspirations. Bulgaria had iong been in a state of defence against Russia