THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

GENERAL SARRAIL COMMANDS NEWS. London, Jan. IS. Apart from Mr. Chamberlain's statement, the most encouraging piece of news is tile decision, which has been announced, that General Sarrail commands the British, French, and Serbian forces in Macedonia. General Ma lion is second in command. British and i*rench newspapers applaud the decision, and there is the liveliest satisfaction nt Salonika that nnity of command has been established. General Sarrail's breezy, open temperament, his brilliant defence of Fort Trvon, near I Verdun, his dashing advance to assist j the Serbians, and masterly retreat, lmve gained the confidence of all ranks.

ALLIES LAND TROOPS. NEAR ATHENS, I Amsterdam, .Tan. IK. 'A Berlin message states that Entente troops have landed at Phaleron ; the port oi Athens, MONTENEGRO'S SURRENDER. ENEMY CAPITALS REJOICE. Received Jan. 19, 8.25 p.m.

London, Jan. IS. The unconditional surrender of Montenegro lias aroused exultation in Bcriin and Vienna, where it is hailed as the first tangible indication of the ultimate triumph of the Central Powers. It is expected that Prince von Bulow will represent the Kaiser at the negotiations It is noteworthy that the publication of the news of Montenegro's downfall synchronises with the wild rumors regarding the situation in Greece and King Constantino's position.

REASON FOR CAPITULATION. OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Received Jan. 20, 1.10 a.m. London, Jan. 19. A Montenegrin official message says that the capitulation was due to exhaustion.of ammunition and the impossibility to escape seawards, owing to the hostility of the Albanians.

WAS IT A FARCE? DOUBT,? ABOUT MONTENEGRO'S SINCERITY. SCENES AT CETTINJE. Received Jan. 19, 8.35 p.m. London, Jan. 18. Telegrams from Cettinje describe pathetic scenes that occurred at the •surrender of the town. A white flag was hoisted, and General Grahaovo Nicholas handed over his sword to General Herlees, while the officers of General Nicholas' staff wept. Generals Mistovic and Valutovic refused to surrender and escaped and joined the Serbians. Some of the Paris newspapers, however express doubts as to Montenegro's sincerity. La Patrie states: "Probably we have assisted in a well-staged farce, similar to the fall of Scutari in the last war. We are inclined to 'think

that the Montenegrin Court, after its feeble resistance, has fulfilled an earlier treaty with the Central Powers, and it must be remembered 'that M. Danilo is tb« Kiaser's cousin."

ALL ARMS LAID DOWN. AUSTRIA'S PRECAUTIONS. Received Jan. 19, 9.55 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. 18. ' A Vienna telegram states that a Montenegrin major and two Ministers appeared at tiio advanced posts on 13th January and wished to open negotiations for capitulation. They were informed that they must unconditionally surrender their arms,"including weapons that had been handed down as family heirlooms. Later it was arranged that men who were fit for military service should be assmbled and literally lay down their arms.

Special care was taken to prevent guerilla bands forming, and later the whole male population will be sent to a certain district.

OCCUPATION OF CORFU. AUSTRIA PROTESTS. Received Jan. 10, 3.40 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. IS. Austria has protested to the United States against the occupation of Corfu, as a flagrant violation of the agreements of London, made in November, 1883.

FRENCH AIRCRAFT BUSY. BULGAR town suffers. , Reecived Jan. 10, 5.40 p.jn. Athens, Jan. IS. Twenty-six French aeroplanes bombarded Petritsi, killing hundreds of Bulgarian poldiers and wounding a large numb er

ON THE MOVE. j ATTACK ABOUT TO BEGIN. Received Jan. 10, 0.55 p.m. Paris, Jan. 18. Le Temps' correspondent at Salonika saya that it is reported that an aittack will begin to-morrow, by the Germans and Bulgarians, along the Ghev» gheli-Monastir front, while the Turks under Enver Paslia and General von Sanders will attack from the East. It ia expeoied that General M&ekenten grill have supreme comss^a#-

THE- POSmM r IN GREECE,

A PAPER'S PROTEST. COLOGNE GAZETTE'S .VIEWS.deceived Jan. 19, 8.35 p.m. London, Jan. 15. A Sofia message, received via, Amsterdam, reports that French troops landed ai. the Piraeus and Phaleron. The report possibly originates in the Allies' systematic search of the Greek coasts and islands and of Crete, with the object of discovering German and Austrian submarine bases. The Keonasty. a Government organ at Athens, publishes articles strongly protesting against the Allies' action and states tliat search was made without permission of the Greek Government, which would never have sanctioned such ,/in infringment of its rights. The Cologne Gazette state that a 'strong anti-royalist demonstration is threatening in Athens. King Constant ine only retains the sympathy of the high military officers and the support of the rest of the army is doubtful.