BATTERING THE DEFENCES OF MONASTIR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 242, 10 October 1916, Page 5

BATTERING THE DEFENCES OF MONASTIR.

ALLIES' VIGOROUS ATTACK ON ENEMY'S THIRD LINE.

LONDON, October 9.

The Athens correspondent of the London "Daily Chronicle" writes:—'The Allied attacks on the third Bulgarian line, roughly along the Serbo-Qreek frontier, continues vigorously. It will probably be several days', hard work to batter in the formidable line protecting Monastir. German engineers supervised the fortifications, which represented several months' work, and have feverishly speeded up since the Serbian offensive compelled the Bulgarians to abandon the Ostrovo-K&jmackalan line.

"General Vaesitch is attacking the Bulgarians between Kinali and the Cerna River, in conjunction with the French. The terrible losses of the Bulgarians during their retreat from Fiorina affected their discipline. Prisoners declare that officers were ordered to fire on their own men on the least suspicion of desertion."

Writing from Bucharest, Mr. Bourchier, the correspondent of the London "Times," states that Bulgarian officers captured in the Dobrudja cay that the Bulgarian army is divided. The majority are Russophiles, who are subjected to a systematic persecution, and are sent to the most dangerous positions on the Macedonian front. There is an increasing agitation in the army against the German domination. The Government is aware of the and is terrorising the people and the army. Arrests are made daily from all classes of society. The shortage of food is increasing.

BULGARIANS CLAIM THAT ENEMY IS RETIRING,

(Received 11.50 a.m.)

LOXDOX, October 9.

A Bulgarian communique states: "We dispersed cavalry reconnaisances on the Struma front. There has been a violent cannonading in the Moglenitza Valley. Following several days of abortive attacks in the Dobrudja, the enemy has retired to his former positions."