DEFENCE OF MONASTIR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8305, 25 November 1915, Page 5

DEFENCE OF MONASTIR.

ADMIRED BY FRIEND AND FOX

LONDON, November 23. The ''Daily Telegraph's." Monastir correspondent, cabling on November 16, says that he had ".witnessed what he believed to be the last days of the Serbian-,,defence/, of .Monastir.- The small force of brave troips, which had long 11 defended it, had reached tho end of'their! resistance.: Outnumbered and outclessed in armament, they had put up a fight evoking the admiration,: of frieud and foe. .'General Vassita and.

his troops had fought incessantly for >, 14 days to preserve a corner, of Serbia free of the invader. General Vassitz, though suffering from a cruel malady destining him for an early grave, was resolute and decided to fight on to the end, and if he opuld not save Monastir to make the utmost effort to save has gallant band. The correspondent found Monastir practically deserted and in total darkness. The empty streets re-echoed the footsteps of the civilian guards and ..the few scared officials who ; alone remained in addition to the military. Three war correspondents groped - their way through Monastir. Only one place was lighted, a cafe, where a group of priests and officers talked in whispors. All were anxious, expecting the worst news. The one question asked was: "Will the enemy appear tonight or to-morrow?" An officer announced that General Vassitz had • warned the Conmils that be was no longer able to protect them. They and their compatriots must leave, excepting the': French and British Consuls, ; who were awaiting the arrival of the Anglo-French marines from' Belgrade. Finally , they, too, prepared to denart on the last train, which was standing at the station, when Captain Picot, in :a French naval uniform, walked in and informed the eager bystanders that he had ridden ahead of his men to reconnoitre the town, •■ which* , he- was afraid, was in Bulgar.- hands.-"--The French .marines arrived-later> "after • a forced in arch;-of 20' miles. The. British. ■ Consul, Mr G,-,A.- t Greig, decided 'to wait, hoping for the arrival, of the British marines. They were two days* march behind the French, arid had been due at.Dibra on the night of No- ' veniber lSl^Mr Greig sent motor-cars to fetch them and hoped that ' they would arrive on the morning of November 17: