IN THE BALKANS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17096, 19 February 1916, Page 9

IN THE BALKANS.

RUMANIA BTIRRING. AIRMEN FLY OVER BULGARIA. EVADE HEAVY FIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 13, 9.50 p.m.) BUCHAREST, February 17. Rumania, anxious about the movements of Germans and Bulgars on the frontier, sent three squadrons of aeroplanes over Bulgaria, and the airmen reported having seen 50.000 troops, a few new r trenches, but no heavy artillery. Tire aeroplanes evaded heavy infantry and artillery five.

WHAT WILL BE THE SEQUEL? PARIS, February 17. It is asked whether serious complications are likely to be the sequel of the Rumanian air raid.

AUSTRO-GERMAN PROVOCATIONS. COMMUNICATION WITH BULGARIA INTERRUPTED. (Received February 19, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON. February 18. The ‘‘Daily Telegraph’* ” Rome correspondent says that there is serious nows from Bucharest, v> hei o the Aus-tro-Gcrman provocations have caused a reaction, even in official spheres. It w reported that the King declares that Rumania must Follow hei destiny, which opposes the Austrians. A general mobilisation is expected. Communication with Bulgaria is interrupted.

TROOPS FOR BALKANS,

AUSTRO-SWTSS FRONTIER CLOSED. (Received February 18,'5.25 p.m.) ZURICH. February 17. The Austro-Swiss frontier is closed. T! ere arc. licavv movements ol troops towards the. Balkans, especially towards the Rumanian frontier.

FIGHTING IN ALBANIA.

AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE CEASED. SERBIAN COMMANGER AT COR 111.l 1 1. (Received February 13, 0.10 p.m.) SALONIKA, February 17. The Austrians have ceased the offensive near Dura**) owing to the arrival of Italian troops. Voivode (Field-Marshal) Putmk, Chief of the Serbian Genoral Staff, has joined the Serbians At, foriu*

GREEKS GUARD FRONTIER.

DEFEAT' BULGARIAN IRREGU- , LARS. (Received February 18, 9.10 p.m.) SALONIKA, February 17. General Sarrail will shortly visit King Constantine. The Greeks after a two hours’ fight routed another band of Bulgarian comitadjis, who had penetrated into Greece. The Greeks are now vigilantly guarding the whole frontier.

BULGARIANS TIRED,

KING ACCUSED OF SELLING COUNTRY. “ Times ” and Sydney “ Sun ” Services. LONDON, February 17. A Rome telegram says that a neutral diplomatist recently in Sofia estimates the Bulgarian losses at 150,000. The Bulgarian army has bean reduced to 180.000, which is insufficient for a movement against Salonika. The soldiers are underfed, and disheartened and tired, and accuse King Ferdinand of selling the country to the Germans. King Ferdinand is becoming increasingly unpopular, and recently went to Vienna and Berlin to urge increased German garrisoning in ease of a revolution.