THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

A GENERAL ATTACK. ON BULGARIAN MAIN LINE. INTENSELY FIERCE FIGHTING, Received Oct. IS, 5.5 p.m.

London, Oct. 17 Mr Ward Price states that the I'rcnch, Serbians, and Russians have commenced a general attack on the main Bulgarian line defending Monastir. Th e encounter was the most fierce that has taken place since the lighting commenced. At Lake Ostrovo the bombardment lasted all night. On Monday afternoon the guns suddenly ceased and the infantry attack was launched. Reports of the results have jiot yet been received from the whole line.

DEFENCE OF ROUMANIAN STRATEGY. ITS AIMS EXPLAINED. THE OBJECT ATTAINED. Received Oct. 18, 7.10 p.m. . Eom °> °* ct - 1 * ine Roumanian Attache defends the strategy of the General Staff, vho had not committed blunders in order to ensure general approval. Roumanian intervention was necessary to attack the Austrian* in Transylvania, instead of the Bulgarians. The General Staff never entertained the foolish belief that Soumania would be able to conquer Transylvania and Banat in a few weeks. Eoumania knew perfectly well that the enemy was. bound to counter-attack with superior forces. Roumania's aim was to shake the Austrian defences, and deprive Hungary of her resources that are concentrated in the Trahsylvanian and Banat regions, and the aims had been completely attained. The Roumanians' orderly, methodical retreat, without losing men or material, showed that she is fully prepared for all eventualities.

[The Temesvar Banat (a frontier province governed by a "ban" or lord) is an immense region to the west of Transylvania, between the Danube, the Tisza, the Maros, and the Carpathians, whi;h for more than 10t* years (until 1717) groaned under the tyranny of the Turks. IB was definitely, incorporated with the rest of Hungary" in 1860.] ,

SERBS REPULSE ATTACKS Paris, Oct. 17. There is violent artillery work- on the right bank of the Vardar. The Serb) repulsed violent counter-attacks at Etiu - voda and the Cerna. JtOUMANIAJT SUCCESSES London, Oei. IT. A Roumanian communique states: The enemy violently attacked our troops on tlie frontier at Oitny valley, but wera driven back. We repulsed attacks on the Tolgyes Pass and 'Pridial. We occupied positions near the Bother Thurin Pass, but were compelled to withdraw a little southward and east of the Tuervburge'r Pass. .

GREECE.

ALLIES AT ATHENS,

j . .RAILWAY OCCUPIED, London, Oct, 17. The Daily Chronicle's Athens correspondent states that. 150 Allied seamen with two machine-guns landed at the 'Piraeus and went to Athens, where they occupied the municipal theatre in tlifc centre of the city. OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. Athens, Oct! 17. It has been officially explained that the purpose of the Allied occupation was to reinforce the police. The Cabinet has hastily assembled. The Allies' crews took possession of the warships Averoff and Kilkish at Lemnos, and the Greek crews were sent to Athens.

SENSATION CAUSED IN LONDON. London, Oct. 17 A sensation was caused in London by the news that the French .and Italian's had on Monday landed 1000 troops at the 'Piraeus and occupied the Athens railway station with "200 French sailors with machine-guns and two field-guns, using the municipal theatre as barracks. They will maintain <>i'der.

The crowd watched the march through the streets with no disorder.

Prince George of Greece had a prolonged interview with Viscount Grey. There were several questions asked in the House of Commons regarding Britain's attitude in Greece. Lord ■Robert Cecil declined to say whether tho Allies had officially recognised the King's Cabinet or the revolutionist organisation. He added that M. Venizelos received a most cordial reception at Salonika. Lord Robert Cecil gave an assurance that the Allies would carry out their treaty obligations to Greece. The treaty guaranteed constitutional government, but contained no definition of it.

NO FOOD, NO PAY.

GREEK ARMY 'PILLAGING. Received Oct. IS, 5.10 p.m. London, Oct. 18. A wireless message from Rome states that reports from Athens emphasise that thl Greek army is short of food, and docs not receive its pay. Soldiers in Thessaly and Epirus are pillaging. A CRISIS IMPENDING. Athens, pet. 17. Admiral Du Fournet lias delivered a iresh Note of a grave character. King Constantins is hastening from Tattoi, liis country residence