THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15453, 4 December 1915, Page 11

THE BALKANS.

GREECE AND THE ALLIES. > REQUIRED ASSURANCES GIVEN. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER. ASSISTANCE FOR SERBIA. (By Cable.—Pre** Association.— ICopyright.)lCopyright.) ROME, December 2. A crowded and cxpcctant Chamber received with loud applause an important, statement by Baron Sonnino, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the position of the Entente's negotiations with Groerc and Italy's own relations with Serbia, whicti hitherto had been shrouded in mystery. _ iJaron Sonnino said that Greece s attitudo at one time gave rise to anxiety, nut tho situation had happily cleared up. Greece had given the required assurances, and there was every reaso.i to believe that a satisfactory settlement had been reached regarding tho safety and freedom of the movement of tno Allies in Macedonia. The presence of the Italian flag on the other sidejjf the Adriatic would constitute a rcaturmation of Italy's traditional policy, including tho maintenance of Albanian independence and the strategical defence of the Adriatic. Another pivot in Italy's policy tva* that Italv had signed an agreement not conclude a separate peace. . Italian arms, with tenacity, self-sacrifice and dash, tvero carrying out tho reconquest of the natural frontier in tho north ot Italy, and the jealous guordiansfiip of her vital interests in the Mediterranean was also important. Several months spent in tho war had showed that it wa.s necessary to give a public testimony to the solidarity of tho Allies and tho formal signature to Italy's adhesion to tho agreement had been given. A heartrending appeal was coming aero" tho Adriatic that could not bo resisted. Italy with her Allies would ensure tho rcvictualling and re-arming of tho Serbians, and would facilitate their concentration while they tvcro awaiting their hour of vengeance. Serbia's independence "was of the greatest importance to Italy. Her absorption l>v Austria would constitute a great danger. "Italy cannot," said Baron Sonnino, "remain deaf lo Serbia's appeal, and will speedily do everything possible to assist the Serbian army. In agreement with the Allies, we have laid down the complete restoration of Serbian independence as an indispensable condition at the termination of the war."

The statement "was rcccivod with cheering and cries of iva la Serbia!" Baron Sonnino concluded with an impressive declaration that Italy would pursue the war with aii her strength— at all costs, and at every sacrifice. (Received December 3rd. 8.0 p.m.l LONDON. December 2. The attitude of Grceco momentarily created a certain tension, but the situation was quickly cleared by the exchange of Notes. Greece has now consented to give too required assurances harmonising with her -preceding declaration of benevolent neutrality. Thus there is every reason to hope that henceforth all suspicion and distrust will be allayed, and tile most cordial relations will be resumed with Greece, and consequently it will be easy to settle tho questions of guarantees tor the movement of the Allied troops at Salonica, the safety of their lines of communication. and railway transport for their supplies.

("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Servicos.) LONDON. December 2. At Messina, 31 r Jeffries, tho Press correspondent, interviewed M. Cochin, tho French envoy to (iree--*. vho said that an enthusiastic reception had been given him in Greece, lie had received tho impression that the bulk of tho people woro heartily in favour of tho Allies. Ho passed through a crowd of twenty thousand peoplo shouting "Long live tho Allies, especially Franco, and down with tho Bosches!" "Tho King," ho addod. "gave mo a most cordial reception. It is my belief that ho is not pro-German, and that Greece desires noutrality. Ho assured me that ho had been satisfied and impressed with the interview -with Lord Kitchencr." As regards the second Noto to Greece, [M. Cochin said that diplomatic action j was no longer imperative, because tho ; Greek Government had already accepted tho principle of the non-application of tho strict Hague conditions of neutrality. Tho second Noto merely discussed tho details of its application. THE INVASION OF SERBIA. A GERMAN CLAIM. MORE SERBIANS CAPTURED. (Received December 3rd, 8.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, December 2. A German communique claims tho capture of 1000 Serbians south-west of Mitrovitza. TIIE POSITION AT MONASTIR. LONDON, December 2. There aro conflicting reports as to tho position at Monastir. The advices from Athens aro that although tho Serbians have, evacuated the town, tho Bulgarians havo not vet occupied it,

Messages from Salonica fctato that 4000 recruits sent to join General Vassirh arrive*! in a blato of exhaustion after marching fon sixteen days on only half a loaf api/ce per day. Eight thousand dying men hav o been removed from the Monastir hospital. Four hundred were placed in ox waggons and sent to Ochrida no doctor accompanying them, although the journey took three days and three nights. THE LATEST. (Received December 3rd, 10 p.m.) PARIS, December 3. An official communique says: "The Serbians were still occupying Monastir on December Ist." GERMAN UNEASINESS. SURROUNDED BY ACTIVE ENEMIES. ( 'Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services.) LONDON, December 2. Major Morahr, in au -article in tlio "Berliner Tageblatr." says it cannot bo expected that Serbia will lie down under defeat. An Italian expedition, ro-ordinating with the remains of tho Serbian Army in Albania, is likely. No rf-laim can be made that the Serbians have been given a decisive blow. The article concludes: ' ; AVho would not prefer Paris to the present position on the "Western front, or a Sedan in Poland instead of the Russian retreat? Our attacks have not been iailures. but w 0 are surrounded by active enenyes." ON THE DANUBE. ACTIVE PREPARATIONS. (Received December 3rd, 10 p.m.) ROME, December 3. The Bucharest correspondent of the •''Corriere della Sera"' says that Rus-i-ian boats are cruising day and night in the Danubo along the shoro of Bessarabia. A Zeppelin has arrived at Rustehuk. The Austro-Germans have taken measures on the Bulgarian bank of the Danube to intimidate the Roumanians. The Austrian monitors have been withdrawn from Orsova lest they should bo frozen in.

("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Scrviccs.) (Received December 3rd. 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, Dreember 2. A German wireless message describes the stories of the Russian concentration in Bessarabia as merely bluff, and savs that "only rccruit schoolboys'' are drilling. THE BULGARIAN CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY ON THE TCHERNA. (Received December 3rd, 10 p.m.) PARIS, December 3. . The "Temps'' says the Bulgarians have crossed the Upper Tehcrna and taken possession of all bridges and roads leading to Monastir. The Bulgarians are constituting a new army in the Struma Valley. IN MONTENEGRO. AUSTRIAN'S OCCUPY PLEYLIE. AMSTERDAM. December 3. An Austrian communique says: ''We marched into Plevlie after a stubborn battle."