THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15421, 28 October 1915, Page 7

THE BALKANS.

INVASION OF

SERBIA,

A GRAVE OUTLOOK

NET DRAWN CLOSER

OFFICIAL BRITISH (STATEMENT.

(By C»bl».—Pwm Atsocikiion.—Copyright.)

LONDON, October 26. Lord Landsdowne. in a statement- in the Houso of Lords, said thai it was highly improbable that tho Serbian Army would be able to withstand tho Austro-Gcrman-Bulgarian attack for any length of time. It had been shown to tho public that the situation- in the Balkans wsw moot serious. There were few detlails of the fighting, but all the cablegrams indicated that- a crisis had been reached, and that the Austro-German-Bulgarian ring had been drawn closer oven than hat! been rumoured. The Bulgarians oceupicd Prizend. the. former capital of Serbia, and the Aus-tro-Germans were now at Potaorcvatz. forty miles south-cast of Belgrade, -while their cavalry had entered Valievo. GERMAN" CLAIMS. ADVANCE FROM NORTH AND WEST. BERLIN October 36. A communique says:—"The Germans, east of Vishegrad, reached tho heights of Suhagorapanas. General von Koevcss'b and General von Gulliwitz's armies aro progressing. Wo captured the northern slopes of tho Ramna Valley. which is south of Alanka, and also captured Markovov tehk. further cast. We took prisoner 960 Serbians in throe days." A SERBIAN SUCCESS. j VELES RECAPTURED. ATHENS, October 2*6. It is officinHy stated that the Serbians. after desperate fighting, have recaptured Koprulu (otherwise known as Veles). (Ecccivcd Octobrr 27th, 5.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 26. It is officially announced that the Serbians havo retaken Veles. THE CAPTURE OF USKUB. SERBIANS RETIRE SOUTHWARDS. (Rccoived October 27th. 5.13 p.m.) LONDON, October 2(5. Athens telegrams state that after tho second son of King Ferdinand had headed the. Bulgarians' triumphal entry into Uskub. the Serbians retired in good order to an cntrenched mountainous line at Prilep. twenty-five miles from the Greek frontier. They hope to prevent tho capture of Serbian Macedonia before tho Allied reinforcements arrive. The Bulgarians claim to have captured Negotin. making their junction with the Austro-German forces imminent, and so enabling them to forward big guns and munitions to Turkey without traversing Rouraania. j (Received October 27th, 11.23 p.m.) ; BUCHAREST, Octobcr 27. A junction between the Bulgarians j and Germans is iaimincnt. j IN CASE OF ATTACK. 1 AMERICAN CONSUL LEAVES NISH. (Received October 27th. 9.20 p.m.) ! NEW YORK. Octobcr 2o\ The American Consulate at Nish has been removed to Tchatchok. Tt is supposed that this in owing to the possi- . bility of the capture of N:sh. | BULGARIA'S FUTURE POLICY, j DEPENDS ON THE ENTENTE. j STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER, j (Reccued Octobcr 27th. 10.40 p.m.) j NEW YORK. October 26. M. Radoslavoff. Prime Minister of Bulgaria, interviewed by » represeuta- j

tivo of the Associated Preets. said that Bulgaria's future military actions would depend on the Entente's course towards Bulgaria. "Our work of occupying Macedonia," he said, "i.s already half completed. AVo arc not pledged to undertake further operations on behalf of Austria and Germany." He denied tho existence of a specific agreement with lloumania and Grcecc. A CRY FROM SERBIA. PREMIER APPEALS FOR HELP. LONDON, October 27. M. Pasitob has cabled begging the friends of Serbia to hasten troops to save tho country. He Bays: "For twenty days the enemy has tried to annihilato us. "We cannot hope to maintain our resistance indefinitely.''

THE ALLIES' CAMPAIGN.

FRENCH IN A.CTION

BULGARIAN ATTACK FAILS

PARIS, October 26. A communique says:— Tho Bulgarians on October 22nd attacked along the whole front tho French forecs occupying tho Strumnitza region. They were completely beaten. Reports that the French were thrown back to the right bank of tho Vardar are false.

THE BRITISH STRENGTH.

STATEMENT BY IX)RJ> LANS-

LONDON. October 2(3

Lord Lansdowno states that there aro only thirteen thousand British troops at Salonica. Thoso were all that could bo collectcd at tho moment.

THE ALLIED ARMY.

FRENCH VETERANS

("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Scrvi^a.)

! LONDON, October 26. The correspondent of "The Times" at Salonica, in a letter dated October 9th, states that daily since October sth successive fleets of transports had discharged troops, stores, artillery, and ammunition there. No figures must bo given, but it could be said that our host, mustering several tens of thousands, nag encamped in the vicinity of Salonica. In addition to thousands of British of fine physique, there was a multitude of Frenchmen in the pink of condition — sunburnt and war stained, and alroadv veterans of war. That such a number

could lv> snared from our frontiers was a cheering revelation. No troops could be in better fettle or better equipped. I SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIA. ' BULGARIAN OFFICERS SHOT. 1 (Bv Cabl».—Press Association.—Copyright.) ' LONDON. October 26. A French wireless message states that six Bulgarian colonels have been shot for showing sympathy with "Russia the Deliverer. ' i

GREECE'S ATTITUDE.

| TEE OFFER OF CYPRUS. EXPLANATION BY SIR EDWARD 1 GREY. I I \ i OFFER HAS LAPSED. j LONDON, October 26. non the House of Commons met, Sir p. Magnus asked Sir Edward Grey if ho could give information regarding the conditional offer of the Government to cede Cvprus to Greece. r Sir Edward C*rey replied: "Wo telt bound in the very critical position in which our Serbian Allies were placed to inakp every possible effort to obtain, for them the only assistance which was immediately available. Accordingly the Government made it known that if Greece would give lull and immediate

support, to Serbia against Bulgaria. Britain would !►" prepared to give Cyprus to Greece. As Greece has not *een her way clear to support, Serbia, and the conditions under whi'-ii rh« offer was made have not boon ftiliiiled, tlie offer ha.>, therefore, lapsed. Til?: KING'S POLICY. TO KEEP OUT AT ALL COSTS. NEW \ OKk. October 2U. Constantino, in a statement to the Athene eorrespondpnr 01 the Associated Pre.-s. states that, Greeec is merely loosening her sword in her scabbard. Sh<> menaces no one. but sh<> cannot permit events constituting a menace to the integrity of the nation or the freo'.'om of the Greek people to jiavt unnoticed It i> iny datv 10 preserve the country from r ?io da nicer ot' destruction." lie said, ''through becoming involved in the general European conflict, and I shall do this at all hazards, ii it is possible." THE GREEK PARLIAMENT. ii. VENIZELOS 3L\STER OK THE SITUATION. A DRAMATIC INCIDENT. (Received October 27th, 8.10 p.m.) ATHENS, October 2(i. A striking incident occurred in the Chamber of Deputies, during a debate 011 the Graeco-Turkish agreement relating to properties confiscated during the Balkan war. M. Venizclos disputed the accuracy of the Ministerial explanation. Amid much interruption from the Government benches. M. Venizelos reminded the Ministerialists that the life of the Government depended upon him and his party. A tumult en.'ued, and the sitting was suspended for an hour. The Cabinet mot during the interval, and when the sitting of the Chamber resumed M. Dragoumis made a conciliatory speech. M. Venizelos accepted liis explanation and a crisis was averted.

BRITAIN'S POLICY

THE SALONIKA EXPEDITION

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY LORD LANSDOWNE. THE CABINET AND IKE WAR CONTROL. (Received October 27th, p.m.) LONDON, October In tho House of Lords, Lord l»orcburn asked whether the Government had determined to despatch troops to Salonica with the approval of their highest naval and military advisers, aud whether the Government tould give an assurance that full provision had been, made for the communications of tho force and supplies of men and material to the satisfaction of these naval and military advisers.

Lord Loreburn said hn would not complain if the Government felt there should bo tome delay in answering tho questions. Tho Government, had not deprecated discussion in order to shield themselves from criticisms, but he believed they had overrated the harm which would be done by Parliamentary discussion, and also underrated the consequences in a democratic country, if Parliamentary discussion was stifled or discouraged. Tho discussion « a.s merely transferred from Parliament to tho nowspapers. No one expected the Government to divulge all their strategical plans, but they might make a general statement. Wo had witnessed the Dardanelles affair, ar.d did not know whether it had been commenced with or without the advice of the naval and military authorities. Was the Salonica adventure, to be a repetition of the Dardanelles? He did not question that the Government was genuinely anxious that the Balkans Expedition should bo successful, but the country would like an assurance that the enterprise had been carefully thought out beforehand. Tho greatest dangers any country could suffer from were unprcparednrs<. and indecision. I/ord Cromer said lie felt it certain to be the case that the centre of gravity of the war had been transferred for tho time being from the West to the East, and the Government should give a general indication as to how they intended to tho situation. . Lord Cromer went on to .say that a good deal of friction had existed which could have been avoided if tho Gorern- ■ ment had not thrown so impenetrable a veil over their opinions and plans of action. Ixird Kitchener bad been singularly parsimonious in his utterances in the House of Lords. His statements had never contained much more than could be read in the daily papers. The country wanted something to show that the Government had a real grasp of the situation. He dissociated himself with any attempt to upset the Government, but he contended that it ■was quite impossible for a Cabinet of twenty-two men to conduct the war efficaciously. A smail, strong executive body was required, chosen without reference to party, trom men representing the l>est talent in the country in the direction of official, political, naval, military, and Eastern affair?,. j Lord Cromer's speech deeply ini- j pressed the House. Lord Lansdowne. in reply, adr.iit.ted that he, personally was strongly o!~ opinion thnt the efficiency of the Cabinet was apt to vary inveiM-ly with its numerical strength. Turning to the Salonica expedition, Lord Lansdowno said he could quite understand that in view of our commitments in France, Gallipoli, and Egypt, it might seem distasteful to the House that the situation had been complicated by entering on new entanglements in a new theatre of war. .Serbia had made I a direct appeal to the British Government for help, and they had sent such troops as were available. It was a small force, because only a small force conld be collected in the time. The French had despatched a force which had now apparently engaged the Bulgarians. These steps had been taken with great promptitude because promptitude was of the utmost moment. They had been taken after full and deliberate consultation with the Cabinet's military and naval advisers. Hie Government regarded the 13.000 British troops as a precursor of a larger force. Events were moving very rapidiy in the I Balkans. Two recent developments had j profoundly affected the military and !

political situation. The lirst was tho attitude 01 the Greek Government. I he set ond wav the progress of the campaign in northern Serbia, which had rendered it highly improbable that the Serbians would !*:• able to withstand tho AustnvGenr.an attack- for any -reat length 01 time. seeing that Serbia had been stabbed in the back by Bulgaria.

The trench and British Governments realised, said Lord Lansdowne. that when further reiniorceinents reached the Eastern Mediterranean it would be necessary to take careful stock of the position. Sir Charles Monro, who was duo to arrive at the Dardanelles to-day, had been instructed to report as soon as possible on all aspects <<t the ease.

Lord Lansdou ni' « ombatted the im-

pression that civilian politicians were in the habit of devising great strategical o'an.s and combinations for imposing thes.- en the Government's professional advisers. Not on any Government with whinh he had been connected had it been possible i'cr amateur strategists to imj>cs:e such plans. Lord Kitchener had been present at every Cabinet meeting, and had been a jxirty to all its decisions. It was tilmost grotesque to suppose that Lord Kitchener would allow himself to be deflected trom his course by pressure from his civilian colleagues. There were mixed nioblems which had to be considered, not merely from the naval and military points of view, but on broad moral and political grounds. He wished to enforce the point that whatever opportunities were given to the Government's naval and military advisers, the ultimate responsibility rested 011 '-he Government. No Government. could be allowed to shelter itself behind the advice of iis experts.

In view of tho pressure exerted on the various fronts against Germany, said Lord f.'.'.r it was natural that the Central Powers should look for a new direction to seek a satisfactory df.eUion. The choice fell, as it. was obviously likely it would fall, on a push through Bulgaria. threatening our forces at Gallipoli, and perhaps Egypt, to say nothing of vaster aspirations which perhaps lay behind this plan. Ho paid n tribute to Serbia's wonderful gallantry, straggling against a third invasion. Greece was lwund to Serbia by geographical propinquities and common iin.ore.vt and treaty obligations, and it was only through Greek territory that help could possibly reach the Serbians. Tho goodwill of Crewe was ob-

viously of first importance. It had been at M. Venize'os's insto.net> that the Allies undertook to provide a force to enable Greece to fulfil her treaty obligations. Vie had taken prompt steps to relieve Serbia. He assured the House that the Government was not likely to bo led into precipitate action. Lord St. Davids said that if the Government had had its eves open in tho early stages of the war they must have known that they could secure communication with Serbia through T>nra/.zo. I.ord M idle ton .-aid tl'e main cause of want oi confidence in the Government lay in the impossibility of conducting war under the present- system. Cabinet had :i meeting .-if the Defence Committee one day. and of the War Council the following day. and the Dardanelles Committee the next day. which implied wnnt of continuity. He urged that a small, committee of the Cabinet be appointed t<> deal with tho war. and nothing but the war. Lord C'trzon. in reply, said the Committee of the Cabinet was essentially a committee of war purpose*, but the. responsibility of its decisions rested on the whole Cabinet. There was a single committee directing its attention to the prosecution of the war. At first it had been called the Dardanelles Committee. and later it assumed general control of the whole war. The question of a smaller Cabinet was under Mr Asqnith's consideration. The Government was also considering the question of a railway from Dtirazzo towards Serbia.

Lord in concluding the debate, c;iid th<> 0 nvermncnt hiid not answered his question. He wanted the troop* in the field to he assured that the (lovernuient v.ns utilising the highest military adviee in regard to the expedition in which they were risking their lives.

The House adjourned until Thursday

TRANSPORT TORPEDOED.

BRITISH VESSEL LOVT IN THE

T;GEAN

LONDON, Ofctober 26

Jt is officiary announeed that the BrnUn tran>-oj i .Maiqueiie wa.s torpedoed in tiie -Kg<-an Sen. It is understood that ninety-nine of her personnel have not bco;i a.counted for.

The Marquette was a large .steamer of i 007 tons gro.-:.-i register, formerly known a:s the Bn;ui. ea. She was built in IS:-"? hy A. Stephen and iSons, at Linthouse. Gla-sgow, and was owned hy the Atlantic Transport Company. Ltd.. ot London. this firm are al<o tho owners of the Manitou, tiSlO toiH. which, wh;!e carrying troops to the Datdair-'le-, wa> attacked hy a *luiki<;i t-'j]'u."fio-hor> t. Tlii* latter discharged thivp'tnipe-io-s at the Manitou, hut nniii' oi then) found their mark. Jne transport was not damaged, but a nun)l)■■■;• of w>iuir*rs were drowned bv the earsi/.j'i" of boau while they were heim: lone'l'd. 'ho torpedo-boat was chased a the British emi-fr Minerva, and seve; ai and driven ashore ca t, e island of Chics, where she became a total wreck.

The Hirrh Commissioner reports:— LONDON October 20 (11.40 r>.m.), Jhe Mar Office announces that the transport Marquette was torpedoed :n the .-Kgcan Sea. Only Of) of the personnel are unaccounted for There are no furlher details.

roumani a.

PRO-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS

(Received October 27th, B.IS p.m.) LONDON, October 26. Bucharest telegrams indicate- that M. Filipcscu is heading popular demonstrations to force the Government to use tnc army t-.> prevent a junctionin;; or the Austro-German and Bulgarian !orcc'>. which would endanger Kouu;an:a s existence. M. Filipcscu made

a violent spoe-di from the w'ndow of n political club, and ended by snvine:: — 'Wo will overthrow Father Brntiano and will also overthrow his son.' 1

THE DARDANELLES.

SEA OF MARMORA

BRITTSn SUBMARINE'S .SCORE

(R«voivod October 27th. S.lo p.m.)

LONDON. October 26

It i* officially announced that a British submarine ;ank a Turkish trans-

port ladc.i v.i'h aiui.it.ens in the Sea of Marmora.

ARMENIAN ATROCITIES.

MORE HORRIBLE STORIES. ."Xiaios" and "Sydney Sun" Scnieie.' l (Received October 27th. 0.5 p.m.) LONDON, Octobcr 27. Horrible stories are told of the massacres in Armenia. The Turks nailed horseshoes to the ieet ol on elderly bishop who hud been exiled, this being for saying that it impossible to g<> the distance barefooted. Hundreds wore driven out four abreast, with thoir hands tied, and barbarously massacred. Women were outraged and exposed in open plains to hunger and cold. Their children were bayoneted in their presence. Girls were auctioned in the market liko sheen. At Angora and NaliUan, over a thousand persons were torn to pieces with the bayonet, and nailed to tho ground, or disembowelled. There is every reason to believe that Germans instigated these atrocities. THE CAUCASUS FRONT. TURKISH FORCES WEAKENED. (Received October 27th, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, October 27. The "Daily Mail's" Potrograd correspondent s.ay« that the Turkish Attack on the" Caucasus front ha 6 been weakened, forces having been withdrawn to Constantinople to replaco 80,000 men sent to assist Bulgaria.