TIE SPUR FOR THE HALTING GREEK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2641, 11 December 1915, Page 5

TIE SPUR FOR THE HALTING GREEK

WHAT UNCENSORED DISPATCHES TELL BRITISH IN HEAVY FIGHTING By, Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ; London, Decombpr 9. Dr. Dillon, correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," states that the Allies will probably obtain tneir minimum demands from Greece, "butjonly hold it by intimidation. The obstacles are almost insuperable. The chief wire-puller is Dt. Streit, an ex-Minister of Austrian descent, whose strategy has tripped up M. Venizelos. Thousands of Greek officers and Civil Servants and tens of thousands of their friends are propagating the 'mailed fist' doctrine everywhere, and armies of spies and a contingent of contrabandists thwart the Allies at every turn. Government agents frustrate every effort to track til© treacherous enemies to their lairs. It is wrong to suppose that King Constantino is alone blameworthy for the misleading of a chivalrous people. Actually, Hie antipathy to Britain and France is widespread. The fact is that Greece may be cowed into passive resistance, but her promises are worthless. The military situation is •grave." "Greece's attitude towards the Entente is like that of a dog about to bite its master, but is baulked by the sight of the whip, and is obliged to content Itself with snarling. The Entente lias convinced King Constantine that drastic measures will be taken in the event of any attempted disloyal action; therefore, Greece is condemned to an unprofitble, irksome innocuousness. Her rulors, , however, are determined to show their teeth whenever they can with impunity." j . . FRENCH EXPORTS TO GREECE SUSPENDED. Paris, December 9. The "Echo de Paris" states that precautions have been taken this week to suspend exportation from France to Greece. KING CONSTANTINE'S EXCUSES ANALYSED HOW DOES HE COMPARE WITH KING ALBERT? _ London, Decembers. The "Pall Mall Gazette" says: "King Constantine invites comparison with Belgium; but he does not compare well with King Albert. He tricked successively Serbia aud the Allies and M. Venizelos. King Constantino's efforts to whitewash his record with excuses and fail - . words only give the finishing touches to a pitiable portrait." The "Evening News" says: "We appraised tho value of Greek words when the Serbian Alliance was torn up." . A DISPATCH THAT ELUDED THE GREEK CENSORSHIP THE ACUTE CRISIS OF NOVEMBER 21. London, December 9. The "Daily Telegraph." has received from Salonika a dispatch, dated November "26,/which-was mailed in order to escape the pro-German censorship. It gives irrefutable facts which show how the crisis then arose. The Greek authorities at tho outset gave evidence of.veiled hostility. The prices of goods wore doubled and trebled, and super-taxes were imposed on rail transport. Thon the Greeks demanded pre-payraent. in gold, and the Allies submitted. Then the Allies, rented houses and .hired horses and vehicles, but tho Greek military stopped this, and claimed them for their own uses. The Greek defences of Salonika Bay were secretly strengthened, submarine mines.were secretly stored, and trenches and entanglements were constructed on heights facing the Allies' camps. Even Greek artillery was trained on the .camps. Greek officers openly discussed the question of when tho Germans would arrive to help drive tho Allies into the sea. _ Officers with pro-Allies sympathies were removed from their posts and sent to distant stations. The Greek troopS occupied newly-fortified positions threatening tho Allies. . After referring to, the_ threat of a blockade on November 19, the corres'pondent proceeds: "The situation at Salonika on November 21 was so critical owing to the Greek military activities that the Allies suspected that tho Greeks were preparing for an immediate attack. The Allies' fleet was cleared for action, shipping was ordered, to sail, and a constant watch was kept all night long. There is a possibility that the fleet's readiness became known, for nothing happened thereafter, the negotiations being resumed on a fresh basis." GERMAN SPIES AND GREEK TREACHERY "HOW THE ENEMY'S SUBMARINES ARE POSTED, ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (ec. December 10, 5.5 p.m.) ~. , , , rt . . London, December 9. Uncensored dispatches from. Greece emphasise the fact that Greece is preparing for military resistance, if neces sa ry, to armed compulsion by tho Allies and also to resist the blockadc. Reports agree that preparations against a commercial blockade by the Allies are being carried out with the utmost rapidity, and oil tho largest scalc, tho Germ an agents stating that tho chief of tho Greek commercial sea routes liavo beo n thoroughly protected by submarines! The seizure of Captain Wilson .and Colonel Napiorwas probably intended as a dramatic coup with which to revive w ave ring Grook confidence. German submarines and Greek treachery and cspion a g 0 aro rendering its possible for Messina and the Adriatic coast of Sicily to )j 0 exploited. These waters are alivo witli submarines, which are stopping «r ee k steamers between Patras and Messina, and arresting British travellers. Th o first British woro captured on Saturday. This incident is likely to lead to diplomatic intervention. German spies at Athens undoubtedly succeeded'in ascertaining the status of travellers oil the route of the steamer, and communicating tho information t« tha enemy's base, jas a eubmarino ivas waitutßW, to. ateamax'a task,. 120 from Patras,

The submarine's action in the Spetzia affair was utterly illegal, as there was no blockade existing. It was a big German submarine, flying the Austrian flag. Tho pro-German Press at Athens is teeming with Austro-German interviews with General von Hindenburg and other military leaders, who are promising that England's turn to feel the weight of German anger has now arrived. These factors have combined to render Greece less anxious to agree to tho Allies' requirements. King Constantino and M. Skonloudis (tho Premier) are temporising until tho German preparations make it safe for Greece to come in on tho German side, while every possible annoyance is being placed in the way of the Allies at Salonika. SERBIAN DELEGATION TO ATHENS (Rec. Decomber 10, 9.55 p.m.) Salonika, December 10. M. Pasitch (the Serbian Premier), with forty Serbian deputies, is en route to Athens. THE BULGARIAN ATTACK ON THE VARDAR BITTER, CAMPAIGNING ON SNOW-SWEPT HEIGHTS, Salonika, December 9. The Bulgarian attack-in the Vardar Valley was confined to three or four gorges, where alone the Bulgarians can debouch. The mountains make the rest of the lino impenetrable except, to the comitadjis, Tho cold is intensified by piercing winds. A party of Anglo-French troops saw some Bulgarians 200 yards away, but both parties iwere too overcome by cold to attack. Wolves, driven by. hunger, howl on the outskirts of the military camps nightly. BRITISH LINE WITHDRAWN TO NEW FRONT ( (Rec. December 10, 5.50 p.m.)' London, December 9. A British War Office communique dated December 6 states; . "After 'a heavy bombardment, the Bulgarians attacked us west of Lake 'Doiran. Small parties of the enemy entered'' our trenches, but were immediately driven out with the bayonet. ."On the morning of December 7,:tho Bulgarians again, attacked, and by weight of superior numbers drove our own troops from their positions. - We withdrew under cover of darkndss to a new line. The reports of our losses have not been received. "The British successfully Tepulsed all attacks on December 8, and were withdrawn in the evening to a new position conforming to tho general alignment." [A similar report has been received from the High- Commissioner.] ' BULGARIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE. (Reo. December 10, 9.50 p.m.) . Salonika, December 10. Tho Bulgarian attack on tho British line was continued on Wednesday. Wlion tho fog lifted,' disclosing the Bui gars within easy range, the British maxims inflicted extremely heavy losses. Tho British losses were under 200. Infantry attacks were delivered all day. long. The "Bulgarians seemed determined to break through, but the British positions aro excellent find give them great advantage. OF THE OFFENSIVE. (Rec. December 10, 10.25 p.m.) London, December 10. The latest cablegram from Salonika states that the Bulgarian attacks on the British have ended. They lasted for nearly tlireo days. Our casualties were under eight hundred, while the enemy's losses were enormous. ■VIOLENT ATTACKS ON THE FRENCH FRONT. (Rec. December 10, 10.25 p.m.) London, December 10. Last night's Paris communique recorded violent attacks at different points of tho French front. All wero repulsed, with heavy losses to the enemy. "Fighting continues at our bridgehead at Gradetz, where the railway tunnel was blown rp and tho Vardar Bridge destroyed." ALLIES' RETIREMENT SKILFULLY EFFECTED. ' (Rec. December 10, 8.30 p.m.) London, December 9. The "Daily Telegraph's" Salonika correspondent says that the falling back operation of the French Army occupied ten days, and was oxecuted in two stages, tho latter of which successfully terminated on Tuesday. "There were only the slightest losses. This voluntary retirement resulted in reports being circulated that the Allies wero in full retreat. When the gun firing was heard at Ghovgeli, and tho surrounding villages on Tuesday, tho inhabitants woro panic-stricken, and rushed for the train at Ghevgeli,.and those who were unable thus to escape fled on foot. . Tho fugitives' stories intensified tho alarm, and spread the belief in the Allies' disasters." General Sarrail (tho French Commander) is optimistic, and is satisfied with Nio manner in which the retirement was. effocted. Tho position on the British front was more serious. The enemy developed a decided offensive, and a battlo raged on Tuesday with increasing intensity, the fighting being especially severe in tliei neighbourhood of tho village of Ortanli. The British were in well-concealed positions, and an' imiwrtant Bulgarian force which attacked them lost heavily in their frequent charges. Tho enemy's objective is apparently the occupation of Rabrovo, and junctioning with the roads leading westward to Strumnitza, southward to Dorian. An unconfirmed report that the Bulgars had occupied- Rabrovo; together with tho noise of the battlo, caused a panic at Doirah, which was quickly subdued. "It is believed that General von Gallwitz's army of 50,000 Germans is fighting with tho Bulgarians. This offensive', which commenced on Tuesday, alius at throwing the Allies into Greek territory." BULGARIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Amsterdam,-December 9. A Bulgarian communique, dated December 7, states: "The pursuit of the French on both sides of the Vardar continues. We occupied tile Demirkapu railway station, and are now 12.kilometres (7} miles) east thereof. We encircled the village of Grabica on three sides, and there was a hot battle, lasting till midnight. One column attacked the French near the .village of Petroz, annihilating a battalion in a bayonet attack, and capturing an encampment. We attacked the Anglo-French along the entire front south of Kosturino, taking 114 British prisoners and two guns, after, a stubborn battle. We occupied Oclirida. Enormous booty was secured by us at Djakova, including eighteen gnna and a hundred ammunition wagons. . GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. * Amsterdam, December 9. ■ A German communique states.: "Tho Bulgarians, have occupied Jakova, Dibra, Struga, and Ochriua. Fighting on .the Vardar is proceeding favourably." HOW THE FRENCH TRIED TO SAVE SERBIA STORY OF A DESPERATE ADVENTURE. . London, December 9. /Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters in Macedonia writes: "On December 7 the French left was flung out to a great length in a desperate effort to junction with the Serbians while the latter were making a last stand in tho Bahuna Pass. Tho venture failed, solely 1 because the task was greater than was humanly possible, considering the resources and the time available. In consequence of the Serbian defeat tho French wore compelled to readjust their lines, shorten their front, and take easier-supplied winter quarters. These considerations dictated the French withdrawal from the positions north of tho Demirkapu Gorge and tho abandonment of tho Krivolak road. It is rumoured that the Demirkapu tunnel bridge was.blown up by the French, whose withdrawal was carried out gradually and in- perfect order. All material was saved. "'hie Bulgarian attacks, although accompanied by great shell fire, have hot been pressed with vigour. Tho French have established closer junction with tho British. The latt-crV carefully-chosen positions aro being scientifically strengthened. In the last Bulgarian offensive, under cover of a thick mist, they approached close to our positions, and suffered heavily from our machineguns. Our losses wer& insignificant. Now that the Serbians have been practically disposed of, the Bulgarians will probably strongly, concentrate against the Franco-British forces. The Bulgarians could have occupied Monastir ten days earlier, but owing to their subserviency to the Teutons, and in order not to offend Greek susceptibilities, they waited while the Germans, after a forced march, occupied the town." REBUILDING THE SERBIAN ARMY. . _ Salonika, December 9. The British and French War Offices have thus early energetically commenced to revictual and re-equip tho Serbians, via Albanian ports. The first supplies arrived in Albania some days ago. , ALBANIAN MALCONTENTS INTRIGUING. ( . -Scutari, December 9. 'A number of Albanian oliiefs have gone to Novi' Bazar to confer with Prince William of Wied (for a short time ruler of Albania), with a view to a movement against Essad Pasha. [Prince William of Wied (a Gorman) was offered and accepted the crown of Albania on February 21, 1914. After a cheq.uercd reign of seven months, spent mos'tlv in endeavours to retain his crown against unwilling sections of the people, bo leaned in September, 1914,. and left Albania "for good." Essad Pasha then claimed tho paramount position. It was stated some time ago that Prince William of Wied intended to join tho German army in tho field. Essad Pasha was reported some time ago to have creditably repressed certain revolutionary anil pillaging tendencies on the part of his unruly realm.] -200,000 SERBIAN TROOPS IN ALBANIA. (Rec. December 10, 9.55 p.m.) ' ' . ROlilOi Oeuemtw 10, * stated .tot » Albftuio,,. _ '