BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1916, Page 5

BALKANS.

THE SERBIAN ARMY. WHY THE ADVANCE WAS POSTPONED. BIG FORCE READY AT SALONIKA. New York, June 21. Advices from (Salonika state that the preparations of the Allied forces indicated that their original intention was to launch an offensive in many directions. The Serbian army, however, was in a far worse plight than was supposed, and entirely needed re-equipping. General PutniU was physically unable to take command, and many of the leading officers were too worn out by hardships to continue on active service, and a new set of officers was chosen. Instead of making the first stride in the Balkans to draw the German reserve fiom the West front, while the decisive action was planned to take place in France, it was decided that the Macedonian offensive should coincide with an Allied offensive on' all fronts. It was generally supposed that this had been timed for midsummer. The 130,000 first-class Serbians were in readiness to take the first line of positions on the frontier, but the objection first raised was that they had suffered enough, and every stalwart man was needed to re-establish an annihilated race. PRINCE REGENT'S EXHORTATION. The Prince Regent asked, "How can we recruit the fatherland, except as conquerors? Of what avail will it be to perpetuate the race if we are content to let others do our fighting? The offspring of a Serbian- who has been a hero will be worth a hundred who are able to fight but who stopped at home. All the old and unfit have been weeded out, and the remainder are tried and capable." LARGE ARMY AT SALONIKA. Most recent advices stated that 330,000 British and French troops are at Salonika, the majority being British. Transports continue to arrive with new French troops. Experts estimate that 200,000 men are available in Egypt. THE VACILLATION OF GREECE. A PROTEST NOTE TO AMERICA. Received June 22, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Juno 21. Greece has presented a Note to the United States, protesting against the Allies' interference with Greece'e maritime trade. A similar Note has been presented to the Latin American Republics. ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENTENTE. Received June 22, 9.10 p.m. London ; June 22. The Daily Chronicle's Athens correspondent says that M. Zaimis has accepted tile invitation to form a Cabinet, reluctantly. M. Skouloudis declares that his resignation is not the result of the Entente's , pressure. The Ministry did everything that was possible, but the situation as regards the Entente was impossible. It is understood that the Entente will present demands when M. Zaimi3 completes his task, but they will possibly be modified if the Ministry is more sympathetic towards the Entente.

NEW GREEK CABINET.

Athens, June 21.

The King has accepted M. Skouloudis' resignation and summoned M. Zaimis, woh, it is understood, is forming an entirelv new Cabinet.

CHANGE IN GREEK PREMIERS.

Athens, June 21

It is reoprted that the iPremier, M. Skouloudis, is resigning and that M. Zaimis has been summoned.

DAMAGE IN ROUMANIA.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, June 21

A Roumanian commission, appointed to assess the damage on the frontier, states that furious fighting occurred for many miles, a thousand shells falling in Roumanian territory. The inhabitants' (led into the interior. ARMENIANS MASSACRED. Paris, June 21. Henri Barby, of Erzeroum, writea to the Journal: "Of -2Vz millions of Armjyiians in Turkey at the beginning of I!US two millions have been massacred by order of the Young Turk Government."

BULGARIA SNUBS AUSTRIA. Amsterdam, June 21. Bulgaria has refused Austria's appeal to send forces to Bukowina. BRITISH AIRMEN ACTIVE. Athens, June 21. British aeroplanes bombarded German and Bulgar concentrations at Guniultzina, seriously damaging the provision and munition depots. It is reported from Mitylene that all German officers and non-commissioned officers entrusted 'with the defence of the coast of Asia Minor have been recalled to Germany.