THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

NEARING SALONIKA. PREPARING FOR DECISIVE STRUGGLE. BULGAR3 BEING "EGGED ON." Received Dec. 16, 11.45 p.m. London, Dec. 16. Reuter's correspondent with the British forces in Macedonia says that the Bulgarians do not want to enter Greece, but the Germain are trying to force them on, using thein as a screen. Our troops are watching the frontier, but the enemy are not likely to movrt immediately, as they are unable to invest Salonika without suitable big guns. With the roads in an awful state, bridges demolished, and railways damaged, it is likely that there will be a temporary lull, while both sides quickly prepare for aa eventual and decisive struggle.

GERMAN ATTACK EXPECTED. ALLIES LAND HEAVY GUNS. Received Dee. 16, 11.45 p.m. Salonika, Dec. 16. There has been a large exodus of Germans, Turks, and Austrian?. The German schools are closed, and the Consul has warned Germans to depart. This is interpreted in some quarters as meaning that a German attack is preparing. The Allies are landing many heavy guns.

ITALY THERE. TROOPS LANDED IN ALBANIA. Received Dee. 10, 11.43 p.m. Rome, Dec. 16. 'A communique says: The transportation of troops to Albania has been successfully accomplished. There were only two accidents, a transport and a destroyer being'mined and fortv-three lives lost.

GREEKS WITHDRAWING. ALLIES HAVE EASTERN MACEDONIA., Received Dec. 16, 0.20 p.m. Salonika, Deo. IS. In accordance with the agreement with the Entente, Greek troops are rapidly withdrawing from Salonika and the zone between Salonika and Doiran. Practically the Whole of Greek eastern Macedonia has been abandoned to the Allies. Many Salonika families are preparing to migrate.

RELATIONS WITH GREECE IMPROVING. BULGARS' INVASION CONFIRMED. Received Dec. 10, G.-20 p.m. Athens, Dec. 15. It is officially confirmed that the Bulgarians have entered Greece, although the Bulgarian Minister declared that there would be no incursion. The relations between Greece and the Entente are improving.

GENERAL GALLWITZ'S FORCE. . LEAVE FOR RUSSIAN FRONT. Received Dec. 16, (1.20 p.m. Paris, Dec, 15. Le Matin's Salonika correspondent says that General Gallwitz's 00,000 troops have quitted the Balkans, and are marching to th<3 Russian front.

UNDER GERMAN TUTELAGE. POSITION IK BULGARIA. Received Djec. lc, 5.5 pjn. Athens, Dee, 15. As the result of the Bulgarian bombardment the greater part of Glievgeli has been burnt. Bulgarian shells destroyed the cftadel of Kavadar. Reports from Sofia state that Bulgaria is now under German tutelage. The Germans are controlling the Government. departments and the principal administrative branches.

MACEDONIAN POSITION. THE ALLIES' RETREAT. BRITISH DID NOT ARRIVE TOO LATE Received Dec. 10, 5.5 p.m. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Londou, Dec. 15. M. Adam, from 'Paris, discloses, the fact that when Sir Edward Grev and Lord Kitchener dccTded to go to' Paris tile Anglo-French force in Macedonia was in an extremely tight place. Apparently two wings were enveloped at the point of junction, which was seriously attacked and General Sarrail's position was seriously threatened, and the Tentli British Division was endangered. Now the position is most improved. Generals Sarrail and Malion extricated themselves from positions that were fast becoming impossible, an dthis was accomplished without great pressure on the l 1 rench front. There were violent rearguard actioilsr; but the British wereo'elnforced, and the armies were able to remain on the defensive without danger. The idea of an expedition to Salonika of sufficient strength to reacli Adrianople and the Danube was suggested by M. Briand and supported by Mr. Lloyd George, but owing to the danger of disease by advancing through Serbia, the matter was not seriously considered until October, when it was decided to assist Serbia,

The British promised ninety thousand men and the French six thousand. It is incorrect to say that the British arrived late. The first troops landed—one JVench division and one British division —disembarked neck and neck. Others reached Marseilles together, and the British courteously allowed the French the first use of the fleet and of the Britl»h transports