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Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1916, Page 5

SERBIAN TROOPS.

REMOVED TO SALONIKA. "' Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Jan. 16. _ A Salonika message says that M. Vassitch, who accompanied King Peter, slates that the fate of Serbia will be decided at Salonika, whither the bulk of the Serbian troops are being transferred. There is no further need for them in Albania, owing to Essad Pasha and the Italians being able to cheek the enemy. The absence of roads and means of transit in Albania liacl made the offensive difficult, whereas Salonika is a splendid base for the restoration of the ruins of Serbia. King Peter stated that he wished to return to Belgrade via Sofia, but Salonika is nearer. The 'Bulgarian and German press, commenting on the evacuation of Gallipoli. state that the prestige of the Allies is melting like butter in the. sun; but the jubilation is perfunctory and half-heart-ed. The writers have an obvious difficulty in reconciling the facts with the Turkish fictions of victory

ALLIES BLOW UP BRIDGE. A SENSATION IN GREECE. J.ondon, Jan. 15. Renter's Salonika correspondent states that the destruction of the railway bridge at Demirhissar caused a sensation in Greek circles, as it almost cuts off communication with eastern Macedonia. The population of Seres and the Greek troops in that region arc largely dependent upon Salonika for supplies. They are now faced with the problem of j'evietualling, and may be compelled to disband. It is reported that all the bridges and viaducts on the Demirhissar line beyond JCilinder have been blown up, and telephones and telegraphs severed. While many Greeks are resentful, the general opinion appears to be. that the Allies have the best of reasons for taking measures of precaution. (Demirhissar is on the line from Salonika to Constantinople, and is 43 miles north-east of Salonika.) GERMAN DIPLOMACY, Milan, Jan. IC. II Seeolo's Bucharest correspondent states that Germany is sending the Duke of Mecklenburg on a special mission to assume direction of all the Balkan legations for the Germans. The Minister left last week, and will not return.