IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3116, 21 June 1917, Page 5

IN THE BALKANS

SITUATION AS TOLD IN THE ENEMY'S REPORTS ALLIES ABANDON ADVANCED POSITIONS London, June 19. •According to the enemy's communiques Hie British, after burning the villages, have abandoned their advanced positions in the unhealthy Struma Valley, including Kiupri and Prosenik, on the mam Doiran-Seres railway, which is doubtless destroyed at these points, and also Barakli-Juma, which is of some strategic importance, as it stands at the entrance of the Rupel-Pass. The British, however, still hold the east bank of tho btruma and Borne of the country beyond—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH WITHDRAWAL IN THE STRUMA TO AVOID THE MALARIAL SEASON. (Rec. Juno 20, G. 50 p.m.) London, June Ifl. A British dispatch from Salonika states: "Owing to the advent of the season our troops eastward of tho Struma have been somewhat -withdrawn. Our patrols cleared the enemy out of six villages on the east lwnk. Tho hill positions -westward of tho river completely dominate the evacuated ground. British detachments s\ro participating in the occupation of Thessaly and tho Piraeus."—Aus.-N./. table Assn.-Reuter. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec. June 20, 9.30 p.m.) London, Juno 20. A French official dispatch states: "Our artillery sharply countered tho onemra batteries in the region of Monastir. We have reached the southern limit of Thessaly, occupying important spots. The inhabitants have handed over a considerable quantity of arms and munitions. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.