THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

BRITISH CROSS THE STRUMA. TWO VILLAGES ATTACKED. BULGAR POSTS WITHDRAWN. London, September 11. Official.—A strong British detachment lias crossed the Struma and engaged the enemy. A French official report says:—The English troops of the Struma fronit crossed the Orjiaek River under enemy fire and attacked two villages 011 the left bank, where the enemy is desperately defending himself. Our artillery is bombarding from the Vurdar to Lake Doiran. The Bulgar advance posts have been further withdrawn upon the Serbian front, SEVERAL PLACES CAPTURED.

GREECE MUST JOIN UK CONDITIONALLY. Received. Sept. 12, 7.25 p.m. London, Sept. 12. Official: The British crossed, the Struma and occupied Neosoi si ml several places above the Tahinos lake, after considerate opposition. We expelled the enemy from Oraroman, Gudeli and Nevoljen. Strong counter-attacks were repulsed. The loss and number of prisoners 'has not been ascertained. Tlie Daily Chronicle's Athens correspondent states that the Allies are averse to a discussion regarding conditions or terms in order to secure Greece's cooperation. The Greek Minister at Paris lias been informed that if Greece seeks to co-operate she must waive the questions concerning conditions and compensations. It is understood that tht Allies are willing to do their utmost to furnish military equipment in the event of Greece joining. BULGARIAN OFFENSIVE ARRESTED.

DOBRITC'H EVACUATED. , London, Sept. 11. A Bucharest telegram states that the enemy attacked Silistria with numefous I2in. and 10.5 in. guns and, in a few hours, destroyed the forts. The garrison retired in good order. Tile Bulgarian offensive in the Do brudja lias been arrested. The Russian fleet's formidable bombardment of Baltchik crushed the Bulgarian right, causing the evacuation of Dobriteh by the Bulgarians. It is reported that the evacuation of Varna was in consequence of the Russian advance along the coast cutting the Varna-Dobrudja railway, coupled with the fleet bombardment, taking Varna between two fires. Austrian war correspondents state that Roumanian pressure in Southern Transylvania is increasing and compelling the Austrians to retreat from the east to prevent outflanking, while the great Russian attacks in Bukovina will force the abandonment of strongly fortified mountain positions. BULGARIAN SECRET CONCENTRATION. 1 Jt-uINS A LOCAL SUCCESS. WILL SOON BE REMEDIED. ROUMANIAN MOBILISATION . COMPLETE. Received Sept. 12, 9.30 p.m. London. Sept. 12. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent states that tlic Bulgarians, with great secrecy, effected a concentration, the importance whereof must not be overrated, between Rustchuk and Shumla, thus imitating the manoeuvre wherebv they surprised the TuUks at Kirk Kilised in the Balkan war. These forces unexpectedly attacked the Roumanian advance guard at Tutrakan and scored a local success. The Russians at Dobrudja can be trusted to right the matters, however. The regions of the rivers Marcscrh and Bvstritza may probably prove more important for the German defence. The Roumanian mobilisation is now completed. JGERMAN-BULGAR ATROCITIES

WOUNDED MASSACRED j Times Service Received Sept. 12, 11.15 p.m. London, Sept. 12. A correspondent at the Roumanian headquarters reports that Bulgars and Germans massacred the prisoners wounded at Tutrakan (or Turtukai). This lias aroused the bitterest feeling in the army. KING'S PALACE UNDER RED CROSS. Received Sept. 12, 11.15 p.m. iPetrograd, Sept. 12. Russian naval bombarders at Varna found the Red Cross flag flying on King Ferdinand's .palace. SERBIAN PARLIAMENT OPENS' Received Sept. 12. 11.15 p.m. Corfu, Sept. 12. The Serbian Parliament 'has opened. The President declared that 'he was convinced they would speedily return to tiheii own country.