BULGARIAN MOVE IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2783, 30 May 1916, Page 5

BULGARIAN MOVE IN THE BALKANS

/ GREEK TERRITORY INVADED pORT AND EARTHWORKS SEIZED NEAR DEMIRHISSAR : ; ! .. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyriglit ( . v. . _ . „ Salonika, May 28. Twenty-five thousand Bulgarians crossed the frontier and occupied Eupel Pass They demanded the surrender of the Greek fort and earthworks at the entrance to the Struma Gorge, near Demirhissar, Riving the garrison two hours to retire • The Grtek outposts mads a lively resistance, but the forces finally withdrew upon instructions from Athens. • The. Bulgarians then occupied the station, and bridge at Demirhissar. There is considerable enemy activity on tho banks of the Mesk near Xanthia, where pontoons are being collected. Everything points to a great movement in Greek^Macedonia. I ' WHY THE GREEKS RETIRED.' . ' ' . ' / Athens, May 28. , The Premier and the members of tho War Office had an important conference and decided upon action. They have informed the Allies that they were justified in the evacuation of Eupel cjiving to the German-Bulgarian threat to occupy it forcibly. LATEST NEWS OF THE INVASION (Roc. May 29, 8.50 p.m.) t Athens, May 29. The Bulgars crossed the frontier at tsree o'clock in the morning. The German and Bulgar superior officers informed the Greek commander that they were obliged to seize the Rupel fort in order to assure the Bulgarian left against the Allies' attack. They added that they would occupy all the forts in tho Demirhissar region, which the Greeks bad recently constructed to protect the sector against a Bulgar invasion. Other forces of Bulgars occupied tho Dcrvendu defile, invaded tho plain west of the Struma, and 'are now marching on Kavala. Later reports state that the Bulgars have occupied four more'forts, including Fort Cragotiue, and- have also reached Spatovo. There are considerable movements of Bulgars iu the Oxilar sector. Engineers are bridging the Mesta. Salonika reports that the Eupel Pass is practically the key to a series on the Demirhissar Plain, ami constitutes tho ne'clc of the bottle. The Struma Valley is also the most direct route to Sofia. ■' The commander of the Kula position was unable to bear the mortification of seeing the Bulgars invade.Greece, and did-'not obey the local general's orders, but Opened fire. The Bulgarians returned tho fire, but did not advance. When categorical. orders from Athens were received tho Greeks evacuated Kula. Only a German division remains on the Salonika front,, but the Bulgarians have been stiffened witli a proportion of German officers and non-commissioned officers. A SEMI-OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. (Rec. May 29, 8.50 p.m.) Athens, "May 29. It is semi-officially stated that the Greek Government, in consideration of concessions made to. the Entente Allies, and of'its desire for the observance of strict neutrality, has consented to the occupation of the fortress at Eupel. The statement adds: "The Germano-Bulgars have signed an agreement to restore the fortress and the guns and material when'there is no longer any reason to justify its occupation. The Government will shortly issue a communique pointing out that no other course' was possible, since that the Germans had threatened to force the position, and hostilities would inevitably have followed. Tho concession is anologous to the facilities already accorded to the Entente Powers, and it would be incompatible with Greek neutrality to make any distinction between the belligerents. ■ . , • The Venizelist newspapers publish the. strongest articles denouncing the in-' vasion. " " WHY IS THE GREEK ARMY MOBILISED ? " (Rec. May 29, 11.20 p.m.) ' ' . - J ' Athens, May 29. The Greek population of Macedonia is indignant at the operations of the enemy's airmen and the Bulgar invasion. Adherents of the Government are joining tlio Venizelists in denouncing the policy of opening Macedonia to the nation's hereditary and implacable enemies. The Venizelist newspapers are appearing with black borders. "Kyrix " the Venizelois journal, asks: "Why is the Greek Army mobilised?" 1 THE PIRATE WAR ON GREEK SHIPPING ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. May, 29, 5.5 p.m.) _• , . Athens, May. 29. Great indignation provails over the submarine attacks on Greek *-teamers Fifteen .vessels have been sunk, totalling 40,000 tons. The seizure of Aifstro-Ger-man steamers now lying in Greek ports is urged if no indemnity is forthcoming for the losses sustained.