THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

FRENCH CAPTURE SOROVITCH. ITALIAN SUCCESSES. SERBIAN REGENERATION London, Sept. 13. The Athens correspondent of tiie Dailv Telegraph states that the French have captured Sorovitch. An Italian communique says: West of Butkowo Lake we drove the Bulgarians beyond the Demirhissnr-Doiran railway. We won a position commanding the Travenauzesa, Pass, interrupting the enemy communications between Travenauzesa Valley and Lagazuc-i. Enemy aircraft bombed Venice, Cervigrano and Apusleia. A few civilians were wounded. Washington, Sept. 13. The Serbian Government has decided to send a Minister to the United States, where hitherto she has not had a diplomatic representative. This is interpreted as meaning that the Serbians expect to re-possess their country shortly. THE ALLIES' ADVANCE. " BULGARIANS RETREATING. Amsterdam, Sept. 13. The Bulgarians have ordered civilians to evacuate Palanka and Bjclo (towns in Serbia near Orsova). The inhabitant? are leaving for Kustenii. Following t'he failure at Dobric, the Bulgarians are retiring towards Baltnhik. Paris, Sept. 13. There is a lively cannonade on the Struma, front. The Italian;* are engaged in the region of Montsbeles. The Allied artillery is Bombarding the Bulgarians northward of Macukovo and Majadac. The Serbians northward of Kovil occupied an important- position. The advance guards are progressing north-west of Lake Ostiovo and engaged in violent combats. We made a substantial advance south-west of the lake. Our artillery caused many fires in t'he Bulgarian .positions. Athens, Sept. 13. It is reported that Colonel Christadaulos and Major Caudalis, the defenders respectively of Seres and the fort at Phcaipetra, have arrived at Salonika and placed themselves at the disposal of the Vonizclist National Defence Committee. DANUBE ISLAND SEIZED. IT CONTROLS DANUBE TRAFFIC. (United Service, London, September 13. Tiie Roumanians have occupied the Danube island of Adadkale, opposite Orsova. T'he Hungarian Government .spent much money in fortifying this island, regarding it as a possible crossing point. It also completely controls the Danube traffic. POLITICAL SITUATION IN GREECE. ZAIMIS WITHDRAWS RESIGNATION. Athens, .Sept. 13. King Constantine has instructed M. Streit, a member of the Vonizclist Ministry, to approach M. Dimitrakopolous, leader of the Progressives, with a view to the formation of a Cabinet. M. Dimitrakopolous was formerly a inembor ot a Vcnizelist Cabinet, but resigned n 1011 owing to a difference with Venizelos on the Cretan problem. He has declared himself a neutralist, and apparently has supported the policy of M. Skouloudis, notably the Fort Ruppcl incident. Paris, Sept, 13. The Athens correspondent of the Journal interviewed M. Dimitrakopolous, who declared that the policy of Venizelos was alone adapted to the interests of Greece. Athens, Sept. 13. M. Zaimis has withdrawn his resignation, and will reconstruct the Ministry. CREEK SITUATION STILL OBSCURE. iZAIMIS REFUSES TO RESUME OFFICE Received Sept. 15, 12.50 a.m. London, Sept. 14. The Greek political situation remains obscure. The latest message shows that all efforts by the Entente Ministers to induce M. Zaimis to continue office have failed. He pleads poor health. King Constantine has asked M. Dimitrak iPoulo to form a Cabinet, and he announces his willingness to attempt the task. M. Dimitrak Poulo's policy is more in accord with that of M. Venizelos than his previous political record foreshadowed. The Paris newspaper Le Journal interviewed M. Dimitrak Poulo. who expressed profound regret at the detestable policy of neutrality for which the Gounaris and Skouloudis Cabinets were responsible. If not in accord with M. Venizelos concerning the opportuneness of Greek intervention at various dates, he roust recognise that the basi9 of his policy was only one of responding to the interests and sentiments of Hellenism. The territory of Greece to-day was invaded, and the national soul depressed. Greece had lost the greater part of her war material, and the policy of temporisation cannot be maintained, particularly after Italian intervention in the Balkans. He added: "I deeply regret seeing Roumania intervene without us. Greece must definitely enter the conflict >n the side of the Entente, or decide to remain neutral whatever happens." ZAIMIS' SUCCESSOR INIMICAL TO VENIZELOf* ; Athens, September 13. M. Dimitrakopolous, a bitter enemy of M. Venizelos', has been named as M. Zaimis' successor. The latter refused to reconsider his resignation, pointing out that the abnormal domestic situation is creating grave dangers to the country.