THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

GREEK ATTITUDE. A THREAT TO THE ALLIES. FLEET READY FOR ACTION. London, Dec. 9. A Salonika dispatch to the Daily Telegraph, dateil November 2ti, mailed in order to escape the pro-German censorship, gives irrefutable facts to show how the crisis then arose. The Greek authorities at the outset gave evidence of veiled hostility. The prices of goods were doubled and trebled and supertaxes imposed on rail transport. Then the Greeks demanded prepayment in gold, and the Allies submitted. When the Allies rented houses and hired horses or vehicles the Greek military stopped them and claimed them for their own uses. The Greek defences in Salonika Bay were secretly strengthened, bubmarine mines secretly stored, trenches and entanglements constructed on the heights facing the Allies' camps, and even Greek artillery was trained on it. Greek officers openly discussed when the Germans would arrive to help to drive the Allies into the sea. Officers favorable to the Allies were removed from their posts and sent to distant stations. The Greek troops occupied newly-fortified positions threatening the Allies. There was the threat of a blockade on November 19. The correspondent proceeds: "The situation at Salonika on the 21st was so critical owing to the Greek military activities that the Allies suspected them of preparing an immediate attack. The Allies' fleet cleared for action, shipping was ordered to sail, and a constant watch was kept all night long. Possibly the act that the fleet was in readiness became known, for nothing happened, and afterwards negotiations were resumed on a fresh basis.

SITUATION GRAVE. GERMAN MAILED FIST DOCTRINE. London, Dec. 9. Dr. Dillon, in the Daily Telegraph, states that the Allies will probably obtain their minimum demands from Greece, but will only hold it by intimidation. The obstacles are almost insuperable. The chief wire-puller is Dr. Streit, an ex-Minister of Austrian descent, whose strategy tripped M. Venizelos. Thousands of Greek officers and civil servants and tens of thousands of their friends are propagating the mailed fist doctrine. Everywhere in the armies arc spies, and a contingent of contrabandists thwart the Allies at every turn. Tlie Government agents frustrate every effort to track the treacherous enemy to his lairs. It is wrong to suppose that King Constantine alone is blameworthy for misleading a chivalrous people. Actually the antipathy to Britain and France is widespread. The fact is that Greece may be cowed to passive resistance, but her promises are worthless and the military situation is grave.

A SNARLING DOG. FRIGHTENED OF THE WHIP. London, Dec. 9. Dr. Dillon, writing from Rome, says the attitude of Greece to the Entente is lfke that of a dog who is about to bite his master, but is baulked by the sight of the whip and obliged to be content with snarling. The Entente has convinced King Constantine that drastic measures will be taken in the event of attempted disloyal action, therefore Greece is condemned to unprofitable and irksome innocuousnes3. Her rulers are, however, determined to show their teeth whenever they can do so with impunity. A TRICKY KING. SEVERE CRITICISM. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dee. 9. The Pall Mall Gazette says that King Constantine invites a comparison with Belgium, but he does not compare with King Albert. He tricked successively Serbia, the Allies, and M. Venizelos. King Constantino's efforts to whitewash his record with excuses and fair words only give the finishing touches to a pitiable portrait.

The Evening News says:—"We appreciated the value of Greek words when the Serbian alliance was torn up."

A BULGAR REPORT. OP FURTHER SUCCESSES. Amsterdam, Dec. 9. A Bulgarian communique, dated the 7tli, states:—The pursuit of the French on both sides of the Vardar continues. We occupied Demirkapu railway station, and are now twelve kilometres east of it. We encircled the village of Grabica on three sides and there was a hot battle lasting till midnight. One column attacked the French near the village of Petroz, annihilating a battalion in a 'bayonet attack, and captured an encampment.

!We attacked the Anglo-French on the entire front south of Kosturino, taking 114. British prisoners and two guns. After a stubborn battle we occupied Ochrida and secured an enormous amount of 'booty at Damakova, including 1® guns and 100 caissons.

SERBIANS IN ALBANIA. DEPUTIES GO TO ATHENS. Received Dec. 10, 9.50 p.m. Salonika, Dec. 10. M. Passitch and forty Serbian deputies are en route to Athens. Rome, Dec. 10. Official: There are 200,000 Serbian troops in Albania. NOT A BRIGHT OUTLOOK. ALLIES MUST HOLD ON. Received Dec. 10, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. S. The Journal's Salonika correspondent states that there is no longer any possible hope of an assurance from any of the Balkan States, but if we wish to fall back on' Salonika we are sufficiently strong to withstand all attacks. All wc can do now is hold on here. If we once abandon h&r« »» «.£» never get it back.

OPERATIONS QUIET. OWING TO -ROUGH WIiATH££L Salonika, Dec. 9. The Bulgarian attack in the Vardar Valley was confined to three or four gorges where alone the Bulgarians can debouch from the mountains, which make the rest of the line impermeable except by comitadjis. The cold is intensified by piercing- winds. A party of Anglo-French saw some Bulgarians two hundred yards away, but both parties were too overcome by cold to attack.

Wolves, driven by hunger, howl on the outskirts of the military camps nightly.

The British and French War Offices at an early date will energetically commence to rcvictual and re-equip the Sertbians by way of Albanian ports. The first supplies arrived in Albania some days ago. THE FRENCH RETREAT. TOO GREAT A TASK. London, Bee. I). Rcuter's correspondent at the British headquarters in' Macedonia writes on December 7 that the French left was flung out to great length in a desperate effort to junction with the Serbs, while the latter were mating their last stand at Paduna. Pass. The venture failed, solely because the task was greater than was humanly possible considering the resources and time available. Consequent on the Serbian defeat the French were compelled to readjust their lines, shorten their front and take up more easily supplied winter quarters. These considerations d,iotate(l the French withdrawal from positions north of Demirkapu Gorge und the | abandonment of the Krivolak road. Tt is rumored that the Demirkapu tunnel and 'bridge were blown up by the French, whose withdrawal was carried out gradually a.nd in perfect order. All material was saved.

The Bulgarian attack, although accompanied by great shell lire, has not been pressed with vigor. The French have effected a closer junction with the British. The latter's carefully chosen positions are 'being scientifically strengthened.

In the last Bulgarian offensive, under cover of a thick mist they approachejl close to our positions, and suffered heavily from machine-guns. Our losses were insignificant.

Now that the Serbians have been practically disposed of the Bulgarians will probably strongly concentrate against the Franco-British. The Bulgarians could have occupied Monastir ten i days earlier, but owing to their subserviency to the Teutons, and in order not' to offend Greek susceptibilities they waited whilst the Germans by a forced march occupied the town.

A BULGARIAN ATTACK. BRITISH RETIRE. Received Dec. 18, 5.50 p.m. London, Dec. 9. A War Office communique states: On the 6th, after a heavy bombardment, the Bulgarians attacked us west of Lake Boiran. Small parties entered our trenches, but were immediately driven out with the bayonet. On the "morning of the 7th the" Bulgarians again attacked, and by weight of superior numbers drove out our troops from their positions. We withdrew under cover of darkness to a new line. Reports as to pur losses have not been received. The British successfully repulsed all attacks on the Bth, and withdrew in the evening to a new position conforming, to a general alignment. SEVERE FIGHTING. ENEMY'S STRONG OFFENSIVE. TO DRIVE ALLIES INTO GREECE. BRITISH IN TIGHT CORNER. Received Dec. 10, 8.30 p.m. London, Dec. 9. The Daijv Telegraph's-Salonika correspondent reports that the falling back of the French army occupied ten days, and was executed in two stages. It successfully terminated on Tuesday, with .very slight losses. This voluntary retirement resulted in the reports that the Allies were in full retreat, and when gunfire was heard at Ghevgeli and surrounding villages on Tuesday the inhabitants became panic-stricken and rushed for the train at Ghevgeli. Those unable to thus escape fled on foot. The fugitives' stories intensified the alarm and spread the belief in the Allies' disasters. General Sarrail is optimistic, and is satisfied with the manner of the retirement. The position on the British front was more serious. The enemy developed a decided offensive; and the battle raged ,on Tuesday with increasing intensity. It was especially severe in the neighborhood of the village of Ortanli. The British were in well concealed positions, and an important Bulgarian force attacked, losing heavily in frequent Charges, with the objective apparently of the occupation of Rabrovo, which i« the junction of the roads leading westward to Strumnitza and southward to Doiran.

There i 3 an unconfirmed report that the Bulgars have occupied Rabrovo. The noise of the battle caused a panic at Doiran, but this was quickly subdued. It is believed that General von GalTwitz's 50,000 Germans are fighting with the Bulgarians.

The offensive which was commenced on Tuesday aims at throwing the Allies into Greek territory. STAVING OFF THE ENEMY. BRITISH LOSSES SLIGHT. Received Dec. 10, 9.50 p.m. Salonika, Dec. 10. The Bulgarian attack continued on Wednesday. When the fog lifted, disclosing the Bulgars within easy range, the British maxims inflicted extremely heavy losses. The British loss was under two hundred. Infantry attacks continued all day long, and the Bulgarians seemed determined to break through, but the British (positions are excellent and give the troops « great Advantage,

THE ATTACK. CEASED. HEAVY BULGAR CASUALTIES. Received Dec. 18, 10.50 p.m. London, Dec. 10. The latest Salonika cablegram states that the Bulgarian attacks on the British have ended, having lasted nearly three days. Our casualties were under eight hundred, while the enemy's losses were enormous. FRANCE'S TRADE WITH GREECE. TO BE CURTAILED. Received Dec. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 0. The Echo de Paris states that precautions will be taken this week vo suppress exportation from France to Greece. REFUGEES' SUFFERINGS. Milan, Dec. 9. 11 Secolo states that refugees arriving at Fiorina (a town south of Monastir over the Greek borr'T) continue to narrate the horrors of the journey. Out of a party of 300 from Prizrend 120 reached Fiorina. A hundred died by the wayside, and the remainder were perishing with cold, hunger and exhaustion. ADVANCE INTO MONTENEGRO. Amsterdam, Dec. 9. A German communique states:—We took 2000 prisoners and captured 80 guns on Tuesday near Ipck. ALBANIAN CHIEFS. Scutari, Dec. 9. A number of Albanian chiefs have gone to Novibazar to confer with Prince William of Wied, with a view to a movement against Essad Pasha.