THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15462, 15 December 1915, Page 7

THE BALKANS.

THE CAMPAIGN. THE FRENCH RETIREMENT. EFFECTED "WITHOUT MISHAP. NEW LINE OCCUPIED. .. . The High. Commissioner reports • LONDON, December 11 (1.10 a.m.) The French retirement was continued; through difficult countr- and effected ■without mishap. On December 12th we occupied the line Ghevgeli-Kilicar. (Kecciveci December 14th, 9.40 p.m.; TARIS, December 14. An official communique says:— "Our retirement in Macedonia continues in accordance with our plans. ' All material has been saved. • ''On Suu«ay wo occupied the line V Gherseli-Kilicir."

' THE ENEMY'S CLAIMS.

- NO MATERIAL CHANGE. NO % ALLIED TROOPS IN MACEDONIA. (By C*ble.—Press A tecciaticn—Copyright.) 5 AMSTERDAM December 13. A German communique pays: "The Balkan situation has not v materially changed. "Tho Bulgarians hare captured Doiran. T , "There arc not anv Anglo-I' renck troops at liberty in Macedonian terri- ■ -tory. Nearly two English divisions Vero annihilated."

UNOFFICIAL REPORTS.

HE ATT REARGUARD ACTIONS. BULGARIANS HEAVILY PUNISHED. 3 . (Received December 14th. 7.30 p.m.) SALONICA. December 13. The British troops for a few hours were in a critical position near Doiran. Tho Bulgarians had almost succeeded in | tkair enveloping movement, but the , ' BrituA promptly counter-attacked : *ith trsaieirious vigour, repulsing the j Bulgarians in disorder. The Bri- ; tish in turn enveloped the left wing of the Bulgarians and captured many pri- i •oners. They then resumed their re- ; treat unmolested. I - General Sir Bryan Mahon visited tho British front during the Bulgarian attacks. For several days the enemy Wfere lacking heavy guns, and were potverles.-, against tho Aiiglo-I'rench artillery. A dense log still overhangs the front, hut it occasionally clears, enabling the fiercest fighting to be carried <w. General Mahon returned satisfied , •ith the l>osit!o!j. j Tho Greek Army at Langaza has kca withdrawn to Sedes. as tho result O: the agreement with the Entente, leaving the zw U'tween Saloniea and I ■fJoiran free ior the Allies' movements. 1 The Bulgarian l : are within five miles at th« Greek frontier, and are following slowly in the'wake «f the Allies. Alter the last two assaults on the British lines tin: Bulgarians abandoned dead and wounded. These had faced a murderous lire, and run to within three hundred yards of the treoehcß. The survivors fled. the French abandoned Ghevge'i they withdrew ail their war material and numi-'roL's Diisoncrs.

THE INNISKILLING fusiliers. A GALLANT STAND. December 11th, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Doccnilx>r 11. Router's correspondent with the British Army in Macedonia says the Bulgarian shclis, striking the rocky .'•re,sts, broke off fragment* 0 f rook, which intensified tlie deadlincss of Lheir fire. Tivo companies of the Royal inniskdling Fusiliers held a ridge after the Bulgarians had penetrated the first and second British lines. Although they vero practically annihilated, tho bravery of the Inniskiilings enabled preparations to' ho mado "which finally held tho Bulgarians up at our third line. THE BULGARIAN 'ADVANCE. CBcccivcd December 14th, 0.40 p.m.) SALONICA, December 11. Refugees arc streaming into Salonica, many on mattresses in (.arts, carrying their posscssionsi in handkerchiefs and baskets. A t'cv» hours will dccido whether the Bulgarians are determined to pursue their fight with tho Allies into Greek'territory.

THE SERBIAN RETREAT

THE AUSTRIAN STATEMENT. MANY PRISONERS TAKEN. (Received December I.lth, 8.10 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, December 13. Tho Austrian* claim that they occupied Rozaj (12 miles west by north of Ipek). They assort that they captured many Serbians between Rozaj and Ipek. AMSTERDAM, December 13. A German communique says:— "Wo captured near Ipek, twelve modern guns which tho Serbians had hidden." THE SERBIAN SPIRIT. WONDEKFUL HEROISM. (Received Decomber 14th, O.iO p.m.) ROME, December 14. A travclicr depicts Albania as a land of starvation and death. Tho mountain passes are strewn with the coipses of Serbian women and children, hundreds of whom voluntarily laid down to die to enabie the soldiers to have food. Their heroism is tho most wonderful episode in the terrible Balkan tragedy. WHAT THE LOOTERS FOUND. (Received December 15th. 1.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, December 14. Reports from Sofia state that Bulgarians who werq. searching a Serbian Minister's honso found hidden the crown jewels. It is asserted that the crown itself has been unearthed. THREAT TO MONTENEGRO. AN AUSTRIAN PROCLAMATION. ("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Scrrieea.) (Received December 14th, 4.55 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. The Austrian;, arc spreading a proclamation a'oug the front addressed to the Montenegrin army and people. It aJvises them not to persist in their resistance, and cynically states that Montcnecro will share the fate of Serbia, who is completely beaten. Her Allies, arc unablo to aid Montenegro, as they are incapable o£ repulsing the invasion of their own soil. THE SERBIAN ARMY. TRANSFERRING TO SALONICA. BERNE. December 1-1. German advices state that tho Serbian Vrmv is at Montenegrin and Albanian ports, and is being transported to Salonica.

THE CAMPAIGNS IX SERBIA. THE COST TO THE ENEMY. PARIS, December 13. The ' Petit Journal'' says that the war with Serbia lias cost the Germans 27,000 dead. 4.3,000 mounded, and 4700 sick: the Austrians a?** 1 . 53,000 wounded, and the Bulgarians 11.000 dead. 3_,000 wounded, and 8000 sick: and the Turks 3'JOO dead, and 14,000 v.ounded.

GREECE AND THE ALLIES. --

KING CONSTANTINE'S ASSURANCES. REGARDED AS SATISFACTORY. (Received December 14th, S.lO p.m.) LONDON. December 13. Reiner ,<-tstcs that King Constantino gave an audience to the diplomatic hotly on Saturday, and gave personal assurances, -which are regarded as satisfactory. 'Jteccivcu December llth, 9.30 p.m.; SALONICA, Dcecmber 14. It is believed that Greece has accepted the stipulation of the Allies that the Greek troops concentrated at iSalonica shall bo v.ith drawn, but in retaining a contingent to assert Greeksovereignty. A settlement has not been readied on certain other points, but no further conferences will be held.