THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

MILD NOTE TO GREECE. ! FAVORABLY RECEIVED. GREECE WILL REMAIN NEUTRAL. London, Nov, 24. Renter's Athens correspondent states that the Allies' Note was presented yesterday and was discussed at tin- King's luncheon to 51. Cochin. King Constantino announced that the Note was friendly in tone, and demanded confirmation of Greece's assurances relating to the Allies' troops. He added that it would be favorably received. There was no time limit, hut it asked for the speediest reply possible. It is generally believed that Greece will completely accept the demands. Athens, Nov. 24. The Greek Cabinet considered the Entente's demands. After the Cabinet rose some Ministers said the situation w.is clearing. The Entente's demands were now defined, and were found to be much less comminatory than generally believed. The Entente demands assurances of the security of the Allied forces in Macedonia, which the Government never refused to give. Paris, Nov. 24. The Athens correspondent of the Echo de Paris says that a partial demobilisation of the Greek Army is being discussed in Government circles. The financial circumstances" of Greece have become very difficult. The Athens correspondent of Le Petit Parisien had an interview witli M. Skonloudis, who stated that Greece was neutral and would remain neutral. Notwithstanding pressure, from any quarter she will preserve her regard for the Entente, and Fance in particular. Her neutrality was of such a benevolent character that there would never he a finger raised in Greece against the Entente troops.

GREECE'S REPLY. FAVORABLE TO THE ENTENTE. FACILITIES FOR ALLIED TROOPS. Received Nov. 23, 9.20 p.m. London, Nov. 25. Reuter's Athens correspondent state? that the Government's written reply to the Entente's Note accepts the demands regarding the disarming of the Allied forces and their liberty of action in Greek territory with a view to their security, and also railway and telegraphic facilities, but makes reserves concerning further examination of certain details. The declaration that the parts of Greece occupied by the Allies will' be restituted in due course, and any justifiable demand for indemnities will be paid, has favorably impressed the Government regarding the Entente's friendly disposition. Greek steamers detained at Malta have been released. Tiie. Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent states that telegrams from Athens report that the Greek Government has unconditionally consented to continue to grant all facilities at Salonika to the Allies. In the event of the Allies retiring to Greek territory Greece will withdraw her troops from the regions which the Allies may occupy.

STHE GREEK PREMIER. London, Nov, 24. Salonika reports that 11. Skouloudis is expected to resign, owing to the difficulties with Britain. INTERVIEW WITH EX-PREMIER. Rome, Nov. 24. The Corriere della Sera publishes an interview with M. Venizelos, who stated that his conviction that the Entente would win was unshaken. Greece's safety lay in the hands of those commanding the sea. He was now able to disclose the secret memorandum to the King in January, relating to the Dardanelles. He pointed out that Greece would have gained enormous compensations in Asia Minor for limited military assistance. He was -pledged to send one division, and believed the Entente would be satisfied with the co-operation of the Greek fleet. M. Venizelos added that when he informed the King that he had mobilised the army to assist Serbia, and also secured Anglo-French assistance, the King replied that he did not desire foreign troops to tread on Greek soil. NEWS FROM THE TIMES. j THE SALONIKA LANDING. - | Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. The War Office says that at Salonika the future of the Allied forces is obscure. They are awaiting Lord Kitchener's tour to clear up uncertainties. They were landed under a misapprehension, which it is important to remember. Greece requested certain forces to co-operate with her troops, and the French were landing at Salonika when M. Venizelos was forced to resign and Greece abandoned her promises. With two hundred thousand Greeks we could have defeated the Bulgarians whilst the Serbs held back the Germans; but the objectives to rescue the Serbs and prevent the Germans linking up with Constantinople to send much-needed shells and supplies for the Turks were now defeated. It will 'be a long time before we can hamper from Salonika the Germans' route for munitions to Gallipoli, and thus it will be impossible to prevent a considerable increase of the difficulties at the Dardanelles. The anomalies and uncertainty of the Greek attitude overcloud the position. Greece is dominated by a desire to keep out of the war, but if"this is impossible, then she will fight on the winning side. The King, the General Staff, and the majority of the people believe that Germany is winning. The Bulgarian occupation of Monastir would stir jealousies into Greece, and anything might sting her into action on either side. The French are holding back the Bulgars at Cerna, and also on the heights of the Bulgarian frontier, where part of the British contingent is held in reserve, the rest being encamped eight miles away. At Salonika, excellent health and spirits prevail in the Anglo-French and Greek armies, and a sprinkling of Serbs, Bulgars,' and Turks rub shoulders. There •is a remarkable array of warships, and hospital ships in th« harbor.

THE CAMPAIGN IN SERBIA. CONTRADICTORY- REPORTS. SKRDS OX THE DEFENSIVE. Received Nov. 25, 11.20 p.m. London, Nov. 25. Latest telegrams from Serbia state that the situation is most serious. The Serbians iinve lost their hold of the historic Kossqvo plain, where lighting continues in which the Bulgarians claim to have captured many prisoners. The Serbian victory at Leskovatz was only a partial success, and did not avail to stop the enemy's advance, which was followed by sanguinary battles between the Serbian rearguards and Bulgarian vanguards north of Monastir, neither side giving nor asking quarter. Official Serbian accounts of the fighting state that the forces are intact, the commissariat is working well, and that the Serbian morale is not affected by the reverses. The strategic situation is not beyond redemption. The Serbians continue the defensive in the defiles of the mountains in order to tire out their adversaries and permit of the Allies concentrating. The Serbians are attempting to pierce the Bulgarian front towards Uskub, in the hope that the British and French will advance in the direction of Veles, necessitating the retreat of (he Bulgarians to the western part of New Serbia. The Salonika correspondent of the Paris Journal telegraphs that General Boyovitch has decided to maintain a mere curtain of troops against the Anstro-fiermans, hurling his ninety, thousand men against' 120 thousand Bulgars who are guarding the defiles at Kachanik, in order to effect a junction with the Allies.

PREPARING SURPRISES. SERBIAN MINISTER'S STATEMENT. Received Nov. 25, 11.15 p,m. London, Nov. 25. The Serbian Minister of War, interviewed at Salonika, said Serbia still had 200,000 thousand men, after 35,000 had been killed and wounded and 20,000 were prisoners. Her only deficiency was in heavy artillery. Italy's participation is encountering difficulties, owing to divergent views regarding Albania. He added that France and England are preparing surprises in the Balkans. RUSSIA'S AID. 200,000 TROOPS READY. Received Nov. 25, 11.50 p,m. London, Nov. 25. German semi-official reports confirm the statement that 200,000 Russians are concentrated to assist the Serbians. Reni is transformed into a huge military camp, and the harbor is full of barges containing completely-equipped troops, ready, at a moment's notice, to move across the Danube. Traffic from Rehi to Galatz is suspended.

ON THE DANUBE. ROUMANIA BLOCKS AUSTRIAN GUNBOATS. Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Nov. 24. A wireless message states that Roumania has refused an Austrian request to permit gunboats to navigate the Danube and thug reach the Black Sea. MORE REPINGTON. DEPRECATES THE BALKAN ATTACK. deceived Nov. 25, 11.50 p.m. London, Nov. 25. Colonel Repington, in the Times, deprecates an offensive in the Balkans, where, he says, we will lose fifty per cent, of the troops from sickness and exposure. A GERMAN REPORT. TWO TOWNS CAPTURED. Received Nov. 25, 9.20 p.m. London, Nov. 25. A German wireless states: We have taken Prishtina, and the Austrlans have captured Mitrovitza, SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AT SCUTARI. Paris, Nov. 24. Ity is announced that the Serbian Government has moved from Prizrend to Scutari, in Albania.