THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15464, 17 December 1915, Page 7

THE BALKANS.

THE CAMPAIGN.

ITALIAN ARMY IX

ALBANIA

AX OFFICIAL STATEMENT

TRANSPORTATION SUCCESSFULLY

COMPLETED

(B- Cable—Pr*-«* Afscriatnih—Copyright.) (Received December 16th. 11.-to p.m.) ROME, December IG. An official conimuninue says:—

"The transportation of our "troops to Albania lias been successfully accomplished with only tiro accidents.

"A transport and a destroyer v.-ere sunk by mines, forty-three lives being lost."

THE ALLIES' RETREAT

BULGARIAN MOVEMENTS

CONFLICTING STATEMENTS

The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, Dec. 16th (12.2.3 a.m.). The Bulgarians have not yet crossed the Greek frontier. (By Cable.—Prcea Association.—Copyright.) (Received December 16th, 6.20 p.m.) ATHENS, December 16\ The report that the Bulgarians have entered -Greece i.s officially confirmed, though tho Bulgariau Minister declared that there would be no incursion. The relations between Greece and the Entcnto Powers aro improving. ("Time*"' »nd "Sydney Sua" Services.) LONDON, December 15. A German wireless message quotes tho "Fierliner Tageblatt" as saying ; that Bulgaria is making an offer to Greece to create a neutral zone of five miles from the frontier, which shall not be occupied by either Greek or • Bulgaran troops, but will permit tho Austro Germans to pursue the Allies. i —— A TEMPORARY LULL. BOTH SIDES PREPARING. GERMAN PRESSURE ON BULGARIANS. (Received December lGth, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON. December 10. Rcutcr's correspondent with the British Headquarters in Macedonia says the Bulgarians do not want to enter Greece, but the Germans arc trying to force them on. A screen of our troops is watching the frontier, but the enemj is not likely to raovo immediately, a; he is unablo to invest Salonica without suitable big guns. With the roads it an awful state, the bridges demolished and the railway linos damaged, there is likely to be a temporary lull while botli sides quickly prepare for tho eventua! decisivo struggle. (Received December 16th, 8.50 p.m.) PARIS, December 16. Tho Allies' retreat from the KrivolakGradsko lino is_ being continued. Rearguard actions wero delivered north oi Ghovgeli, on tho western bank of the Vardar, and south of Bogdantzi. The Allies aro now grouped in tho DoiranKilindir region east of the Vardar. THE SALONICA ZONE. CLEAR FIELD FOR THE ALLIES. GREEK TROOPS RAPIDLY WITHDRAWING. (Received December lGth 6.20 p.m.) SALONICA, December 15. In accordance with the agreement with tho Entente Powers, Greek troops aro rapidly withdrawing from Salonica and the zone between Salonica and Doiran. Practically tho whole of Greek Eastern Macedonia has boon abandoned to tho Allies. Many Salonica families aro preparing to migrate. EXODUS OF ENEMY SUBJECTS ALLIES LANDING HEAVY GUNS. (Received December 16th, 11.45 p.m.) SALONICA. December 16. There is a great exodus of Germans, Turks, and Austrian* from -Salonica. The German schools have been closed, and tho Consul has warned Germans to depart. This is interpreted in some quarters to mean that a German attack is being prepared. The Allies are landing many heavy gun-i. THE GERMAN TROOPS. REPORTED CHANGE OF PLAN. (Received December 16th, 6.20 p.m.) PARIS, December 15. The Salonica correspondent of tiie "Matin*' says that the German force of 00,000 men. commanded by General von Gallwitz. ha s quitted the Balkans, and is marching towards the Russian front. A NARROW ESCAPE. THE ANGLO-FRENCH RETIREMENT. i ! THE ORIGINAL SCHEME. j v ■Times" and "Sydn*j Sun" ScrvicM.) | (Received December 16th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. M. Adam Paris discloses that when '

I S>ir Edward Grey and Lord Kitchener I decided to go to Faris, the Anglo--1 French force in Macedonia was in an extremely tight place. Apparently their two wings were enveloped, and their j point of junction was being seriously attacked and weakened. General Sarrail's position was seriously threatened and the 10th ('lrish) Division endangered. Now the situation Las greatly improved. General Sarrail and General Mahon have extricated themselves from positions which were (as: becoming impossible. This was accomplished without great pressure on the French from. Hut. with violent rearguard actions by the British. The reinforced armies .'•re able to remain on the defensive i without danger. j The idea of the expedition to Salonika !of .sufficient strength to reach Adrij annpie and the Danube was suggested jby M. Hriand and supported bv Mr i Lloyd George. to the danger j of di.-oaso in advancing into .Serbia, the | matte- was not seriouslv considered ! until Ootohc;-. rthen it was decided to i assist Serbia. The British promised | W.OOO troops and ibe French fJO.OQO. j It was incorrcrt to say that ihe j Rriti-sh arrived late. The first, troop; j landed wore one French division and • one British division, which disembarked "neck and neck." These, reached Marseilles together, and the British courteously allowed the French tho first use' of the fleet o| British transports. GERMANISING BULGARIA, IN RETURN FOR ASSISTANCE. (By Cab>.—Press Association.—Copyright.) ATHENS, December 1.". As the result of the Bulgarian bombardment, die greater part of Ghevgeli ha* been burnt. The Bulgarian shell* I destroyed the citadel of Kavadar. Reports from Solia state that Bulgaria, is now under German tutelage, and Germans are controlling the Government departments and the principal administrative branches.

IN MONTENEGRO

THE ENEMY'S ADVANCE

AMSTERDAM, December M

A German communique says:~'The enemy south-west, of Plcvlio was repulsed across the river T.ira. and further east across tho Grabto-Djarevo line."

Tho Tarn river, which formerly marked the lino of tho north-oast frontio- of Montenegro, flows north and north-we-st until "l.v its junction with tho Pivn it forms tho Drin.i. Tho Tara now flows nrarly parallel with tho frontier nf Montenegro, at a distance of from 15 to 20 miles from it. Plcvlie is ahout 1G miles from tho Tara, in a north-easterly direction.

GUERRILLA WARFARE

"TiniM" and "Sydney Sun" S«rvic«o

(Received December IGth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON', December 15.

The Austrian Press says tho guerrilla warfare in Montenegro necessitates the utmost care being taken. Montenegrin and Serbian bands are constantly engaged in guerrilla tactics. Tho Austrians are issuing German-Serb newspapers in Belgrade.