THE BALKANS UPHEAVAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4057, 11 October 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS UPHEAVAL

AUSTRO-GERMAN ASSAULT ON SERBIA. - eye ~ illy strikes i GALLANT BLOW. ENEMY FORCES PINNED TO THE-RIVER BANKS. ALLIES’ TROOPS POURING INTO SALONIKA. f FIRST CONTINGENT IN SERBIA. A RAPTUROUS WELCOME.

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received Oct. 10, 3 p.m.) . MILAN, Oct, 10. Six transports, including a great trail. Atlantic liner, escorted by destroy. ers, disembarked Allied; troops at Salonika, while English warships soarc md the Gulf of Salonika for enemy submarines. The English troop's are encamped on the hills and t]ia French on the plains. By Thursday evening 32,000 or the Allies, including 5000 British, had landed at Salonika. The landing continues. The first French contingents arriving in Serbia were met by cheering crowds offering them fruit and flowers.

taken and the Serbians are retreating south. The newspapers.point out that Brih ish naval gunners are still defending Belgrade. The “Sun’s” special correspondent says: Australia should 1 --realise the great importance of the Balkans cam. pr.ign. The Austro-German. offensive inaugurates a gigantic scheme, its objective being the Suez Canal, Mesopotamia, and the north of IndiaIt is a stroke nearer Australia than any previous one. Reuter states that a telegram just received declares there is no room for doubt that the attack on Serbia is the long - expected German offensive. Fighting along the whole frontier is described as of the fiercest character and heavy artillery is being employed. So far, the enemy is being kept more or less in hand.

In view of pro-German allegations of personal ill-feeling between the King of Greece and M. Venezelos, it is noteworthy that the King has pre--sentedi M. 'Venezelos with a signed portrait inscribed “In memory of our .joint efforts.” Bulgarian troops from the Greek frontier have been sent to the Serbian frontier. In “Le Matin/’ M. Vesniteh. on behalf of Serbia, says: “The reinforcements sent by the Anglo-French have galvanised the Serb troops. Now wo want to see Russian uniforms in the Balkans. The Czar is still the beloved Father of the Slav family, and should raise his voice and send armies- We are convinced Greece is heart aud soul with the Allies.”

INVASION OF SERBIA. OUR ALLIES FALL BACK. CLAIM IN AUSTRIAN COMMUNIQUE. HOW THE ENMEY CROSSED THE RIVERS. ( Received October 11, 12.20 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 10. An Austrian communique says: Austro-Hungarian and German flags are flying at Konak. The enemy were watching the banks of the river above and below Belgrade but could nowhere resist us. Whilst heavy artillery bombarded the Serbian fortifications day and night pontoons with materials for bridge-construction conveyed over the Hungarian railways were got ready at suitable points as secretly as possible. French airmen were baffled by the devices used to conceal the transports’ movements. Heavv artillery drove the Serbian frontier forces fr\>m entrenched positions. but lierc again they were kept constantly under fire. German arid Austrian Pioneers at a number of places started preparations for crossing the rivers under infantry cover.

GREECE’S PART,

A HE ASS UK IN G STATEMENT. “BENEVOLENT NEUTRALITY” TOWARDS ALLIES. GERMANY PROTESTS AGAINST ALLIES’ LANDING. (Received Oct. 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 9. TJie “Echo tie Paris” says:. "It is impossible for Greece to remain neutral. We should say to King Constantine!: ‘Are you with or against us?’ ” ■ The Times” says that Greece n> about to issue a declaration of b-ene-yolent neutrality towards the Entente. , , r A. newspaper report states that AlZaimis. the new Greek Premier, continues the anti-Bulgarian policy and hastens mobilisation. He does not resist the Quadruple Entente s opaiutions in Greek territory ansi attacks on the Bulgarian forces on tiie bervian frontier, which comprise 80,000 regulars and 20,000 comitadj.s. A message from Amsterdam states that the ‘’'Frankfurter . Zeitung” » a - V;i Germany has protested: to Athens against the Allied landing, warning Greece that further acts of submission to the Entente will be regarded as a broach of neutrality by Greece. Documents of great importance were stolen from a secret drawer or King Constantine’s desk. _ ; Tliier, a member of the King sentourage, dhas been arrested 1 . Ho has lon fr been using a'false key, an<l i» known to have been a spy, receiving sixty pounds a mouth from Germany. Several journalists with German sympathies are implicated. 1 . , The stolen documents related to the international policy of Greece. (Received October 11, 12.10 a.m.) The Greek Minister has notified France that M. Zaimsh’s policy will follow the essential principles the Greeks have followed since the beginning of the war, and added: In order to better guarantee Greece s viral interests, her armed neutrality will adapt itself to the course events and as far as the Entente Powers are concerned;, will continue sincerely benevolent.”

The storming columns on crossing were met by an advanced guard of the Serbian Army, but the Serbians-were unable to maintain themselves in the wrecked positions. Tlie Austro-Gonnans entered Serbia on a front extending over 250 miles. BULGARIA’S DUPLICITY. AN ILLUMINATING DOCUMENT. PRESENT ATTITUDE LONG CONTEMPLATED. RELATIONS WITH THE ENTENTE SEVERED. TURKS TO MEET THE RUSSIANS AT VARNA. (Received Oct. 10, 3 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Oct. 10. The. “Frankfurter Zeitung” publishes a long document issued by the Bulgarian Government to the municipalities showing that Bulgaria has long contemplated siding with AustroGermany. The document says: “While the Entente Powers are fighting for various selfish motives, Amstro-Germany and Turkey are fighting for self-pre-servation and the peaceful progress of Germany. We could not risk our existence while it was uncertain which side would be victorious, and meanwhile have utilised our neutrality to prepare our army and develop our resources until a favorable moment for intervention comes.” The document concludes: “Trade statistics show that Bulgaria’s interests are bound up with. Turkey and Aust r o-llun ga ry The Quadruple Allies’ Ministers at Sofia asked for their passports. TheBelgian and Servian Ministers hare received their passports. Italy and France have handed the Bulgarian Ministers in their respective capitals their passports. Serbia has handed passports to the Bulgarian Minister. King Ferdinand lias appointed General Jekow commander-in-chief. Bulgarian comitadjis attempted to wreck the Serbo-Greek railway, and were repulsed with heavy losses. Allied airmen in Serbia report that there are only 150,000 Austro-Germans massed northwards of, Serbia. The Bulgarians are short of munitions, especially for artillery. The forthcoming , amval of Turkish troops at Burgas and Varna is explained as duo to Bulgaria’s fear of sending Bulgarians to oppose the Russians. . „ " , . : c The Bulgarians assumed , control or the Mustaphapasha-Dedeagatch railway. Bulgarian trains will he running immediately. ‘ The Serbian.; Government is removing its most important State' offices and banks from Nish to-Prishtina".

THE ADVANCE OH SERBIA.

RIVERS CROSSED AT SOMEPLACES. BRITISH GUNNERS DEFENDING BELGRADE. FIERCE CONTESTS ON THE BORDERS. (Received! Oct. 10, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 10. An official Serbian message states that the Germans crossing the rivers Save and Danube were fiercely contested! with heavy enemy losses. Many prisoners were taken. , _ Hie enemy crossed l the Save at l arak and other points, and crossed the, Danube at Belgrade Fortress and at Ram. •The enemy’s advance guard at Belgrade was partly destroyed and partly captured 1 . - The enemy, inada fierce attacks at the Save crossings, but. we pinned him to the brink of the river at several points' lose-. T!h©: struggle continues at . other crossings. A- Berlin- official message says: The greater . part of Belgrade' has been

Austro-Germany again demanded the transit of goods to Bulgaria through Roumania. The latter replied 1 that she adheres to her decision to hold up munitions.

BULGARIA’S DILEMMA. MAY NOT FIGHT AFTER ALL. SOME INTERESTING VIEWS. © ■ ■ (Received Oct. 11, 12.i0 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 10. ;. M. School (Dutch Charge di’Affairs) lias been .entrusted with the Entente Powers’ interests in Bulgaria. BulSaria, replying to the Entente Powers’ [ote of September 14 regarding Macedonia, points out that the Entente, in affirming their recognition of the principles of nationality will admit Bulgaria’s right to claim the realisation of her national ideals as recognised! internationally before the creation of modteiai Bulgaria, and inquires, whether Serbia has irrevocably and unconditionally consented to the cession of the uncontested zone in Macedonia. In view of recent events, it is doubtful whether a reply of this nature couldl have produced- a satisfactory result. The Bulgarian Minister, before leaving Italy, sent a communication to the press regretting the interruption of relations between the countries, and adding: “The interruption"is not desired by Bulgaria.” King Ferdinand! of Bulgaria has ordered the evacuation of all villages along the Black Sea and Aegean Sea. Bulgarians declare that Turkey is pledged! to furnish 50,000 men for Dedeagatch and Varna. Reuter’s Cairo correspondent says General Maxwell has ordered all Bulgarians in Egypt to be registered before October 20. The Athens newspaper “Patris” states that during Prince Hohenlohe’s sojourn in Sofia a secret Ger-man-Bulgarian treaty was signed on July 17, awarding Bulgaria Northern and Southern Albania and Macedonia and Serbian territory, including Monastir, Guevgheli, and Doiran. Germany, under the same treaty, which Austria and Turkey also signed, promised Bulgaria Salonika, Cavilla,_ Dra ma, Seres, -Fiorina, and Kavoria The “Patris” states that the position has entirely changed since July 17, and, judging from the attitude of the new Government, it has presumably received official German assurances that the Treaty is non-existent. A British subject from Bulgaria, after studying the political situation, believes the Government- at Sofia is in a dilemma, and 1 will do everything to avoid hostilities.

A Bulgarian Army Corps has been sent towards Pirot.

ALLIES’ BALKANS POLICY. FRENCH POLITICAL CONFERENCE. (Received Oct. 11, 12.10 a.m.) PARIS, Oct. 10. Owing to an increasing demand among members of the Senate and Chamber for fuller information regarding the Government’s action in the Balkans, a conference of a committee representing Foreign Affairs, the Army and Navy, and possibly the. Budget, totalling 150 deputies, will hold a joint sitting on Monday, which, is unprecedented in Parliament’s history. The Government will make a full statement.

ITALIAN AIR RAID. AN OFFICIAL REPORT. . (Received October ‘ 12.5 a.m.) ROME, October 10. A communique says: Fourteen Italian aeroplanes bombed the headquarters of one of the Austrian high commands at Cortanj erica and also encampments at Appachia Sella and Nebrgsina railway station. THROUGH ENEMY EYES. AUSTRIAN REPORT. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received October 10, 3 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 10. An Austrian communioue says:— We took misonep 400 n men in the Wolhynian territory on the con and 7tli. The Austro-German crossings of the Drina, Save and Danube are being continued. GERMAN REPORT. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 10. A Berlin official message says: From before Dvinsk as far as Garbunawka, southward of llluk we assaulted the enemy position on both sides of the 111ub fort.

On the Kilbirnie front the enemy abandoned repeated attacks in strength. General Lisingen stormed three villages south-westward of Pinsk. Cavalry fighting is proceeding. The enemv northwestward of Czertarysk were repulsed behind-the Styn. Enemy attacks nortnward of the Koved-Rovno railway faded. General Mackensen’s two armies crossed in their main portion the Save and Donube after German troops under the Austrian General Koevess had captured Ginsvisland and the heights southwestward of Belgrade. The army has occupied, the greater part of Belgrade. Austro-Hungarians stormed the Citadel and the Kootheon part of the town.

Germans stormed the new Government House.

Troops are advancing through the southern part of the town. General von Gallwitz forced the crossing of the Danube at many points in the area below Semcndria-, driving the enemy everywhere southwards.

DOMINATING THE BALTIC. BRITISH SUBMARINES’ WORK. GERMAN TRANSPORT SUNK. (Received Oct. 10, 3 p.m.) PETROGRAD, Oct. 10. Official: A British submarine.•-near the German coast in the Baltic 'shelled and sank a Gorman transport. AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES. TOTALS TO DATE. (Received! Oct. 10, 3.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 10, Casualties to date, not including sick and wounded who have returned to the Front, are as follows:

Totals 1,016 _ 24,194 25,210 The 89th casualty list shows: Killed in action, 1 officer and 57 men; died of wound's, 70 men, including Private J. H. Donoghue; died of illness, nine men; wounded, 3 offioers and 137 men, including Private J. Grubb (second occasion) and P. Turley; ill', 6 officers and 108 men, including Corporal G. Colville and Private T. A. Ryan (both in hospital at Malta), W. O. Hyde R. Chapman, P. Hayward! (in London hospital),• W. K. Anderson (Alexandria hospital), Lance-Corporal R. D. Chalmers, Private C. F. Parmenter (embarked for England); missing, five men. * . : .

Dead 288 4,741 5,029 Wounded 437 12.638 13,075 Missing 17 1,394 . 1,411 Sick 265 5,199 5,464 Prisoners •* ... 5 42 47 Nature unknown . 4 180 184