THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15488, 15 January 1916, Page 9

THE BALKANS.

IN MONTENEGRO. "ASSAULT ON MOUNT LOVCHEN. A TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT.

(By Cable.—Presa Association.—Copyright.) (Received January 14th, 9 p.m.) ROME, January 1& The "Tribuna" say s there arc 50,000 Austrian troops at Cattaro, and also an ontire fleet. The Austrians mounted 12in guns on Mount Czevnatz. These guns, and those of tho Fleet, numbering sixty, 12in guns, bombarded Mount Lovchen. The Austrian infantry carried the hill by a frontal attack. The Montenegrin resistance was epic, but their forces were too inferior. The Montenegrins are now concentrating their defence at Rieka. Rieka is about ten miles east by south of Cettigne. close to the head of J/aKo Scutari. Cettigne is about midway between Cattaro and Rieka. A GLOOMY PREDICTION. (Received January 14th, 9 p.m.) PARIS, January 13. It is impossible to succour anu revic- ; tual the Montenegrin Army. Cettigne's days aro numbered. JWo give this message as received. Ao authority is quoted for either of the statements made.] OCCUPATION OF CORFU. INDIGNATION IN GERMANY. AN "INSULT TO THE KAISER." (Received January 16th. 12.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 14. Tho occupation of Corfu by the Allies has causcd tremendous indignation m Germany, where it is regarded as a personal insult to the Kaiser, who has protested to King Constantino.

THE SALONICA LINES. ALLIES' DEFENSIVE PLANS, / RAILWAY BRIDGES DESTROYED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, January 13. ' In the Balkans the Allies' defensive plans necessitated the blowing up of tho railway bridge at Demirhissar and Kilindir. January 14th, 9 p.m.) SALONICA, January 13. The French have destroyed the big railway bridge at Demirhissar.

Demirhissar is a fortified town, in the Seres province, 45 miles north-east by north of Salonica. It is on the railway line from Salonica through Seres and Drama to Dedeagatch and Constantinople. Demirhissar is about 20 miles north-west of Seres. Kilindir is on the frontier, about fire

miles south-cast of Doiran, 3o miles north by west of Salouira, and 3"J miles west by south of Demirhissar. It is on the railway lino from Salonica to Demirhissar, and is the junction of a branch lino connecting that line witlt the railway running up the Vardar valley from Salonica.

ATTITUDE OF GREECE. INFLUENCE OF M. VENIZELOS. ("Titaei" and "Sydney Sun" Service®.} LONDON, January 13. Mr Crawford Price has had several interviews with M. Vcnizelos. who is still firmly convinced that Groeco's interests lie with the Allies. Ho regards King Constantinc's policy as fundamentally wrong, and thinks that tho opportunity for action is still within tho grasp of Greece. Mr Price is unable to divulge what M. Venizclos intends to do, and to accomplish. His influenco is still great, for ho is a magnetic and popular figure. A reconciliation between King Constantino and M. \ enirelos would Be the happiest of consummations if it were possible.

THE ENEMY'S PLANS. ATTACK SAID TO BE IMMINENT. THE BULGARIAN STRENGTH. ("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services.) LONDON, January 13. Messages from Athens confirm tho belief that a converging three-sided attack upon Salonica is imminent. There havo been largo arrivals of munitions and heavy artillery at the irontier. It is reported that 7000 Comitadjis have joined the Bulgarians. Prince Cyril congratulated the Comitadjis upon fighting against Serbia, and distributed largo sums of money to them, and promised them employment on reconnaissance work. The "Petit Journal" states that a desperate assault is impending, as three large enemy armies have been concentrated. The Bulgarian strength is 80,000 men mobilised, and 60,000 men mobilising, while thero have been .130,000 casualties. The necessity for establishing garrisons reduces the available field force to 360.000 men. Mr Jeffries, correspondent- of the ''Daily Mail," states "that the .latest information indicates that there will be simultaneous enemy attacks .against Mesopotamia and Egypt, with probably a diversion in Macedonia.