THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

| RUMANIA BEING FORCED. j TO DECIDE THROUGH GERMANY, Received August 22, -.15 p.m. London, August 22. The German Wolf Agency are sireularising sensational telegrams in Switzerland announcing that Germany is preparing an ultimatum to send to Roumania. IS RUMANIA COMING IN? RUSSIAN'S MAY MARCH THROUGH RUMANIA. GERMANY APPREHENSIVE. Times Service Received August 23. 1 a.m.New York, August 22 Herr yon Wiegand asserts that Rumania will not intervene. The Krenz Zeitung states that Rumania is joining the Allies. It U believed the Rumanian War Minister and the Russian Attache yesterday discussed plans whereby Russian troops will inarch through Rumania if matters can be arranged. Germany will regard this as a causus belli. <

THE INVASION OF GREECE. ! POPULATION PANIC-STRICKEN. ! - Athens, August 22. . The advance of' the Teuton and Bulgarian forces into Greek Macedonia is unimportant from a military, though grave from a Greek view point. The Government is reassuring the panicstricken population of the invaded districts. The Anglo-French Ambassadors have asked M. Zaimis what measures- the Government are taking regarding the dopulation, . - BULGARIANS' ADVANCE,GREEKS ACQUIESCENT " Athens, August 21. The Bulgarians advanced within ten miles of Kavalla. The Bulgarian and German Ministers have handed the Government a written declaration guaranteeing the rights and liberties' of the population in Grecian territory occupied bv the advancing troops. The territory will be restored after the war. The Government ha s ordered the Greek troops in Macedonia lo retire beyond the fire zone as the Bulgarians advance.

ADVANCE AT THREE POINTS. BULGARIANS' PLAN. Received August 22, 8.30 p.m. London, August 21. It appears the Bulgarians took the offensive at three points. The force occupying Rupel advanced on Demirhissar, another on Fiorina, and the third crossed the Nestos and is advancing by the Sarichaban plains towards Kavalla. A STRONG FORCE. ENEMY WELL-EQUIPPED. Received August 22. 9.20 p.m. Paris, August 22. It is estimated the Bulgarians, AustroGeriuans and Turks in Macedonia total between 600,000 and 700,000. They have all benefited by German training, and are well-equipped with artilleiv CREEK DUPLICITY. OPEN HOSTILITY TO ALLIE? . POLITICS AND WARFARE Received August 22, 5.40 p.nu Alliens, August. 21 The Gounarist journals barely conceal their satisfaction at the liulgo-Gernuii offensive and publish an impudent interview with the Bulgarian Minister regarding Bulgaria's intentions. The Venizelist newspapers violently attack the Greek general staff, accusing them of collaboration with the Bulgo-Gcrmans in order to affect the elections. All well-informed critics show undiminished confidence in the Allies' Balkan nlau of campaign. ' STRATEGICAL OR POLITICAL? THE BULGARIAN OFFENSIVE. Received August 22, 9.15 p.ro Athens, August 21. Advices from Salonika states that the invaders are two miles off|Kavalla. The population are refuging at Thassos. The Morning Post's Athens correspondent' reports it is impossible to state whether the Bulgarian offensive should be taken seriously. It is generally conceded to be political, rather than strategical, the object evidently designed being to impress the electorate of the danger of siding with the Entente. GREEKS IN CONFLICT. ' COMMANDER DECLINES TO SURRENDER FORT. Received August 22, 9.15 p.m. Athens, August 22. It is reported that the Greek commander at Fort Tlieapetra Skuth, Jupel. refused to surrender the fort. A conflict ensued- There "re nn details.

A SERBIAN VICTORY. BULGARIANS SUFFER LOSSES. Received Augi st 2-2, 10 p.m. Sa;oniku, August 21. The new Serbian artiHcry inflicted severe losses upon the Bulgarians during tl'e retirement to Fiorina. A squadron of Bulgarian cavalry charged a Serbian battery. They were completely destroyed by the Serbian infantry escort. The Anglo-French sent columns cast of the Struma, where there were many uicounters with the Bulgarians between Kavalla and Baraklijuma. The Bulgarians attempted to recapture the now British positions on Horsehoe Ilill on Saturday, but were easily repulsed. British seaplanes succesfully bombarded a column of Bulgarians east of' Kavalla. Thursday's battle on the iVloolena front was a signal triumph for the >Seibians. The Bulgarians lost a thousand out of six thousand engaged.

BULGARS AT BAY ALLIES' OFFENSIVE IN PROGRESS. Paris, August 21. Operations are progressing on the whole of our Balkan front, London, August 21, Mr. Calvert, special correspondent at Salonika, says the battle at Mooglio was a signal Serbian triumph. Four hundred dead Bulgars were counted. The extensive Bulgarian movement is attributed either to the despairing desire to galvanise the soldiers' moral, which has been depressed by inaction and privations, or to the hope of staving olf Rumanian intervention by an appearance of strength which is plainly fictitious. The occupation of Fiorina is not important. . We firmly hold the dominating heights. The signs of increasing ucthity among the Allies had aggravated the depression of the Bulgarians. They may be regarded as an army at bay in a state of unbearable suspense.