Balkan Theatre of War.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 263, 23 October 1916, Page 5

Balkan Theatre of War.

Another Serbian Victory. Bulgarians* Demoralised Retreat. [PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.] [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] London, October 21. Mr. Ward Price (the “ Daily Mail’s ’’ correspondent at Salonikt), describing the capture of Brod, Gardilovo and Veliselo, says the offensive surpassed the Servians’ own expectations. The Bulgarians possessed every 7 advantage- The Serbians charged slopes so steep that the Bulgarians were able to roll rocks on the attackers. The Serbian infantry began to press onwards at 10 in the morning, while their guns were Pounding the crest. Short, sharp bayonet clashes followed. The first rocky peak won, the Serbian gunners bombarded the next crest 300 yards beyond. Then the Bulgarians were seen bolting. A few minutes later the flags carried by the foremost Serbians waved triumphantly on the summits of the captured height. Soon the Bulgarians holding the trenches fronting Veliselo began to retire. The Serbians were pressing the pursuit when suddenly beyond Veliselo poured a stream of fugitives of all kinds, infantry, cavalry and transports, regardless of military decorum, hustling along until they disappeared on the sky line beyond reach of the Serbian shells. It was a thoroughgoing rapid rout. Veliselo was in Serbian hands by noon, and Brod fell immediately after. By night the new Serbian line beyond the Cerna included Gradilovo. The strong German-modelled defences included continuous lines of trenches across the valley to the Cerna. The scarcity of shells through transport difficulties did not permit the artillery to reduce the Bulgarian defences, which equalled the best German works on the west front. The enemy adopted the German plan of lightly holding the front lines during artillerying, returning when the infantry were launched. THE BRAVE SERBIANS ADVANCE FOUR MILES. Salonika, October 21. A Serbian communique states: —General Misuitch’s army has advanced four miles north-west of Brod. Our German prisoners include members of two regiments just arrived from the Russian front. The Serbians are progressing in the Cerna-Reka sector. ITALIANS FROM ALBANIA ON GENERAL SARRAIL'S LEFT. (Received 23, 9.45 a-m.) Salonika, October 22. The Italians in Albania are within 37 miles of Monastir, thus linking up with and securing General Sa nail’s’ left. BAD WEATHER OH THE STRUMA. RUSSIANS AND ITALIANS HEAVILY REINFORCED. Paris, October 21. Bad weather Prevails on the Struma front. Salonika, October 21. A further Italian contingent has arrived. [REUTER’S TELEGRAM.] (Received 23, 9.25 a.m.) Paris, October 22. Experts state that the Italians have sent 200,000 men to the Balkans, and that the Russians have sent eight or ten divisions to Dobrudja. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 23, 10.10 a.m.) Salonika, October 22. Fresh Russian and Italian troops have landed. The British fleet bombarded the defences of the Lower Struma. ONLY PATROL ENCOUNTERS. [BEU FEB’S TELEGRAM.] (Received 23, 11.50 a.m.) London, October 22. A British official report from Salonika says that owing to bad weather there have been only- patrol encounters. THE RUMANIAN CAMPAIGN. RUSSIANS REINFORCE THE TRANSYLVANIAN FRONT. • Received 23, 9.25 a-m.; London, October 22. Hungarian newspapers report further Russian reinforcements on the Transylvanian frontier region.

THE RUSSIAN DESPATCH. [REUTER’8 TELEGRAM.] (Received 23, 11.30 a.m.) London, October 22. A Russian communique says:—ln the Brostens sector we drove back the enemy towards the frontier. Fighting continues in the Trotus (? Oituz) valley. The enemy was repulsed in Uzula valley with heavy- losses. Our troops were compelled to retire in the Buzeu valley. RUMANIANS ADMIT A LOCAL RETREAT. Bucharest, October 21. A communique states:—We completely surrounded Mount Shophes, and put the defenders to the sword. After taking 500 prisoners and seven guns, we were compelled to withdraw in the Buzeu Valley, east of Brasso. AUSTRIANS PRACTISING FRICHTFULNESS. (Received 23, 10.10 a.m.) Berne, October 22. The Austro-Hungarian authorities are perpetrating atrocities on the Rumanian inhabitants in the reconquered districts of Transylvania. Twenty-seven persons, including three mayors, were hanged for welcoming the Rumanian invaders, and over 1000 are made prisoners. HEAVY FIGHTING IN DOBRUDJA. RUMANIANS WITHDRAW ALONG WHOLE FRONT. Bucharest, October 21. A communique states:—A violent attack on the whole Dobrudja front forced us to withdraw on the centre and right wing. THE RETIREMENT CONFIRMED[beuteb’s telegram.] (Received 23, 11.30 a.m.) London, October 22. A Russian communique states: —Violent enemy attacks on the whole of the Dobrudja front forced us to withdraw on the centre and right. THE GERMAN VERSION. Berlin, October 21. A German communique states: —The Rumanians are suffering heavily- The fighting in Dobrudja has developed in our favour. We forced several points of the enemy’s main positions south of Rasova, on the Danube, 35 miles north-east of Silistria. MONTENEGRO RE-AWAKENS. GENERAL INSURRECTION STARTED. Rome, October 21. The “Corriere d’ltalia ” says that a general insurrection has started in Montenegro. The insurgents defeated the Austrians. The Governor has requested Vienna to send reinforcements. DEVELOPMENTS IN GREECE. CONSTANTINE’S CLAWS CUT. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Athens, October 21. Realising the Allies’ intention to secure an effective control of the police, King Constantine is allowing the Government to seek workable arrangements with the Allies. Half the military forces concentrated at Larissa will be removed to the Peloponnesus with a great quantity of artillery and stores, thus depriving Constantine of the power to assist the Germans. Meanwhile officers, officials and volunteers continue to go to Salonika to join the Provisional Government. NEUTRAL ZONE AT REAR OF THE ALLIES. POSITION AT ATHENS IMPROVED. London, October 21. The “Morning Post’s” Athens correspondent says that following King Constantine’s avowal of good faith respecting the concentration at Larissa, the Government is reducing the army- there to the minimum peace strength, and has dismissed the latest recruits, lhe removal of troops from Thessaly to other provinces aims at the formation of a neutral zone in the rear of the Allies’ Macedonian forces. Apparently 7 the Greek rulers have abandoned all thoughts of departing from neutrality. The situation at Athens is quieter- The recent arrests have had exemplary results. Even the anti-Venezelist press urges the public to abstain from provocation, and the disorderly element seems cowed. The publication of the terms under which the French will assume control of the police administration had a sulatory effect, especially the regulation rendering the self-appointed guardians of the monarchy liable to immediate arrest. ALLIED MARINES MAINTAIN ORDER. [beuteb’s TELEGBAM.] Athens, October 21. The city is rigorously patrolled by the Allies. Two companies of marines are quartered in the Chamber of Deputies. The Government is transferring much rolling-stock from the Piraeus-Larissa railway for the use of the Allied troops m Macedonia. • ' The Chief of the French Police Control warned the antiVenezelist press that the publication of anti-Entente articles would lead to suspension. A Salonika message announces the creation of a national naval division, comprising a cruiser and destroyer. VENEZELOS LACKS FAITH IN THE KING. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION I Paris, October 21. In an interview with “Le Matin’s ” correspondent, M. Venezelos said he did not think the King would abandon his policy, as he had not done so when Germany violated her promises about. Drama, Kavalla and Seres, or when Rumania abandoned her neutrality. M. Venezelos has full confidence that he will be able to discharge the functions of a regular government.