THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

ACTION BY THE ALLIES. UNDERSTANDING ARRIVED AX. A FIRM NOTE TO GREECE. i Received Dec. 12, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Oct. 11. The conference between M. Briand Sir Edward Grey, Lord Kitchener, General Joffre, Sir Francis Bertie and M. Gallieni aroused the most intense interest. General relief was caused by the report that the conference had removed the divergence of opinion between France and Britain regarding Salonika. There is now no question of abandoning Salonika, and the decision renders an energetic action possible in Greece. It i 3 probable a joint Note will be presented at Athens, couched in lirm language and requiring an immediate settlement. | Received Dec. 12, 5.G p.m. Paris, Dec. 11. Sir Edward Grev, Lord Kitchener, M. Briand, and General Gallieni had a fresh conference to-day, when urgent questions were settled in full agreement.

MAIN DEMANDS OF ALLIES ACCEPTED. PREPARING TO DEFEND SALONIKA. GHEVGELI NOT OCCUPIED. Received Dec. 12, 5.3 p.m. London, Dec. 11. Reuter's Athens correspondent says a portion of the Greek troops have been removed lest they should impede the Entente's measures to place the town in a state of defence. Ministers of the Quadruple Entente on Friday interviewed M. Skouloudis, and subsequently the Greek Cabinet met. Mr. M, Donolioe states that M. Skouloudis has accepted the Allies' main demands. The occupation of Ghevgeli is untrue. Several owners of Greek vessels detained in France have instructed their captains to discharge their cargoes and obtain permission to continue their voyage. .

ALLIES TO REMAIN AT SALONIKA. OFFENSIVE TO BE RESUMED. Received Dec. 12, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 11. Le Temps says that the Allies have decided to remain at Salonika, and will send sufficient reinforcements to resume the offensive under favorable conditions. FACING HEAVY ODDS. THE DEFENCE OF SALONIKA'. •250,000 MEN WANTED. Received Dec. 12, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 11. General Sarrail's latest communique states that the retreat on the Cerna front was methodically effected without great loss, thougli tlie attackers were heavily punished on the Bth and 9th inst. The Frencli now occupy a front along the course of the Bojimia. Other telegrams estimate that 150,000 Anglo-French are facing 250,000 Bulgars and 150,000 Germans. At least 250,000 men are required to fortify Salonika, where the geographical conformation makes defence difficult, apart from the danger from the Greek army, which is entrenched on a hill commanding the town,

THE SITUATION GRAVE. WARNING FROM DR. DILLON. ■ Received Dec. 11, 6.5 p.m. Rome, Dec. 10. Dr. Dillon states that never was unanimity and co-operation more indispensable than to-day. An error in judgment, coupled with a prompt decision would he preferable to hesitation and delay. There is good reason to believe that in the event of the abandonment of the Balkan expedition Greece and Roumania will probably join with Austro-Germany, thus depriving the Entente of a million fighting men, making them available for our enemies. The point is vital, because at this moment every man counts on the Western front, in Egypt, and in the Near East. Everything possible ought to be done to swell the ranks of the Allies.

Dr. Dillon says: "I believe that the remnants of the Serbian army are reorganising, but from everything I know I am still disposed to regard the military situation as grave.

HELP FROM ITALY. TROOPS LANDING FOB THREE DAYS. Received Dee. 12, 5.5 p.m. Rome, Dec. 12. The Italians liave been continually disembarking troops at Valona for three days. A BULGARIAN CLAIM. Received Dec. 12, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Dec. 11. A Bulgarian communique claims they have expelled the French from Gradetz, throwing them into great disorder, after hand-to-hand fighting, and capturing many prisoners and ten British guns near Pletovo. The Anglo-French casualties southward of the Rabrovo and Valandovo line were extremely heavy. EVIDENCE OF GREEK NEUTRALITY. London, Dec. 10. 'Router's correspondent with the French headquarters in 'Macedonia reports all quiet on the morning of the 9th. The Bulgarians are claiming a great victory because they occupied the abandoned territory. The Bulgarians ore numerically superior and are following the Allies. Comitadjia penetrated Greek territory with a view of cutting toe railway, but ths Greek mthoritlei fmtraied th* pl*n.