THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

THE GRECIAN PROBLEM. LORD KITCHENER VISITS THE KING. Received Nov. 20, 5.5 p.m. Athens, Nov. 13. King Constantine received Lord Kitchener, who was accompanied bv the British Minister (Sir Francis Elliot). BRINGING GREECE TO REASON. A COMMERCIAL BLOCKADE. Received Nov. 21, ll p.m. London, Nov. 21. Reuter's correspondent at Malta says that it is understod that Greece's consent to allowing the withdrawal of Anglo-French and Serbian troops into Greece, if occasion arises, does not satisfy the Allies, without sufficient guarantees. There are indications that the Allies will demand immediate intervention or the immediate demobilisation of the Greek army. The Exchange Telegraph Agency's correspondent says that Athens newspapers publish a British legation communique stating that the Entente have declared an ex-communique commercial blockade of Greece. The communique bus created a deep impression in all circles. The Government has no official knowledge of the English communique. WILL HAVE SECURITY.

Received Nov. 21, 11 p.m. Paris, Nov. Le Petit Journal pays that the are going to take the guarantee they deem requisite in connection with Greece's consent, in order to ensure the complete security of the troops and the operations in the Balkans. CHEERED BY THE GREEK POPULACE. LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT. Received Nov. 21, 11 p.m. Athens, Nov. 20. Lord Kitchener arrived on Saturday morning and lunched at the British Legation. Kmj; Constantine gave an audience to Lord Kitchener and Sir Francis Elliot for upwards of an hour in the afternoon. Lord Kitchener wag loudly cheered at the palace. DIGNITY OF GREECE! HER ANXIETY ALLAYED.

Lord Kitchener's presence has somewnat allayed the anxiety aroused by the announcement that the Allies are determined to bring pressure to bear on Greece. That announcement caused indignation ill official circles, which hold that the Government is seeking a solution satisfactory- to the Powers and compatible with Greece's dignity. j , NOTES FROM ATHENS. IMPORTANT CHANGE IMMINENT. Reecived Nov. 21, 3.30 p.m. London, Nov. 20. Athens messages do not confirm the German report that the Allies have delivered an ultimatum, but correspondents' messages tend to give credence to the statement that important diplomatic developments will immediately result in a change, and that at present it is a critical situation. There is no news about Lord Kitchener's mission, but the correspondents assert that there is every reason to expect an important change within forty-eight hours. All news ol military value, including the dispositions of the Allies' naval forces, which were last reported as making an imposing array at Salonika, is now rigorously suppressed. PLIGHT OF SERBS. There are indications that the Serbians are hard pressed in the Jlonastir region, and are falling back to the Greei: frontier, which is heavily guarded; but the general expectation is that the Serbians will not be disarmed. Lord Kitchener's presence is a source of immense strength, and it is calculated to impress King Constantine that the time has come for him to abandon his indecision.

SERBIA'S DIFFICULTIES. THE ARMIES BROKEN. ' Received Nov. 21, 11 p.m. London, Nov. 21. Military critics, in slimming up the position in Serbia, say that the Northern Serbian army is falling back into Montenegro. The Southern Serbians are divided, if they are not surrounded, at Babuna, and they are not in effective touch with the Allies. In any case they may be compelled to retreat to Albania. If Italian correspondents are right, we are liable to Greece's hostility when in difficulties. Within a fortnight heavy German reinforcements will reach the Near East, and the Allies must act quickly. MONASTIR OCCUPIED. SEKBfAnij iX FULL RETREAT. Received Nov. 21, 4.45 p.m. Rome, Nov. 20. IjU Tribunal A'thens correspondent reports that the Bulgarians have occupied Monastir, and the Serbians arc in full retreat. A GERMAN REPORT Amsterdam, Nov. 20. A German communique says:—During yesterday's successful pursuing battles five thousand Serbians were taken prisoner. DEFENCE OF BELGRADE. ANY3LO-FRENCII REACH ALBANIA. Received Nov. 20, 3.00 p.m. Rome, Nov. 19. II Messagero states that the AngloFrench marines who participated in the defence of Belgrade have reached Reana, sn the Albanian frontier.