THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

THE BRITISH RETREAT. A GERMAN REPORT. Amsterdam, Dee. 13. A German communique says: The Austrians are pursuing the enemy in the mountains on the Albanian frontier, and have taken 6300 prisoners in tiie last two days. The enemy were forced to a/bandon forty guns between Rozaj and Ipek. The Anglo-French, after decisive defeats inflicted by General Theodorow, are in a wretched situation, and are retreating towards and across the Greek border, suffering extremely heavy losses in men and every kind of war material. THE BULGARIAN ATTACK. EIGHT THOUSAND CASUALTIES. Salonika, Dec. 13. After the two last assaults on the British lines the Bulgarians abandoned 8000 dead and wounded. These had faced a murderous gunfire to within 300 yards. The survivors fled. When the French abandoned Ghevgeli they withdrew all their war material and numerous prisoners. ESTIMATED LOSSES. Paris, Dec. 13. The Petit Journal estimates that the losses in the war in Serbia have been:— Killed. Wounded. Sick. Germans .... 27,000 43.000 4,700 Austrians ... 23,009 58,000 51,000 Bulgarians 11,000 32,000 8,000 Turks ~.-ri 3,000 14,000 THE BATTLE NEAR DOIRAN. BRITISH ALMOST ENVELOPED. BUT TURN THE TABLES. Received Dec. 14, 7.30 p.m. Salonika, Dec. 13. The English for a few hours were in a critical position nenv Doiran. The Bulgarians almost succeeded in an envelopment, but the English promptly counter-attacked with tremendous vigor, repulsing the Bulgarians in great disorder. In turn they enveloped the Bulgarians' left wing, taking many prisoners, and then resumed the retreat unmolested.

GENERAL MAHON AT THE FRONT. SATISFIED WITH THE POSITION. Received Dec. 14, 8.10 p.m. Salonika, Dec. 13. General Mahon visited the AngloFrench front during the Bulgar attacks on several days. The enemy are lacking in heavy guns and are powerless against the Anglo-French artillery. A dense fog still overhangs the front, but it occasionally clears, enabling the fiercest of fighting.

General Mahon returned satisfied with the position.

SHELLS AND ROCK. BRAVERY OF THE INNISKILLINGS. Received Dec. 14, 950 p.m. London, Dec. 14. ■ Reuter's correspondent in Macedonia reports that the Bulgarian shells were striking the rocky crests, and the broken oil fragments intensified the dcadliness of their fire. Two companies of the Inniskillings held a ridge after the Bulgarians had penetrated the first and second of the British lines, and although they were practically annihilated the Inniskillings' bravery enabled preparations for the third line, which finally held up the Bulgarians.

AN AUSTRIAN CLAIM. A TOWN OOCUPtED. Received Dec. 14, 8.10 p.m. Amsterdam, Dec. 13. The Austrians claim to have occupied Rozay, and assert that they captured many Serbs between Rozay and Ipek. A GERMAN REPORT. DOIRAN CAPTURED. TWO BRITISH DIVISIONS CUT UP. Amsterdam, December 13. A German communique states: The Balkan situation lias not materially changed. We captured near Ipek twelve modern guns, which the Serbians had hidden. Tie Bulgarians have captured Doiran. There are not any AngloFrench troops' at liberty in Macedonian territory, and nearly two English divisions have been annihilated.

THREAT TO MONTENEGRO. » AUSTRIAN PROCLAMATION. Reeeived Dec. 14, 5.5 p.m. Times aid Sydney Sun Services. London, Dec. 13. The Austrians have spread a proclamation on the front, addressed to the Montenegrin army and people, advising them not to persist in resistance, and cynically stating that Montenegro will share the fate of Serbia, who is completely beaten. The Allies will be unable to aid Montenegro, who is incapable of resisting an invasion on her own soil. s SERBIAN CROWN JEWELS. UNEARTHED BY BULGARIANS. Received Dec. 15, 1.15 a.m. Amsterdam, Dec. 14. Reports from Sofia state that the Bulgarians, while searching a Serbian Minister's house, found the hidden Crown jewels, and it is asserted that the Crown itwif wu u&Mtthtd. ■