IN THE BALKANS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 7

IN THE BALKANS.

BEFORE SALONIKA. AN ATTACK UNLIKELY. "Times" and Sydney Sun" Services. LONDON, February' 18. Correspondents in Salonika warn Paris and London not to believe the forecasts of an offensive, against Salonika. Pro-Germans in « Greece are. again spreading threats, but the correspondents point out that there is no mili.

tary ground for expecting an attack. Unless imperious political reasons compel the Allied front to bo reorganised it is impregnable.

VALI OF SMYRNA FLEES. FEARS THE YOUNG TURKS. By T»legTapli—Pre«« Aasociation—Copyright. LONDON, February 18. The "Dailv News" correspondent in Rome states" that Rachmil Bey, Vali of Smyrna, having been warned that the Young Turks plotted his assassination, escaped to an Allied warship and has now arrived in Athens.

BELGRADE TO BOSPHORUS. GERMAN LINE THREATENED. A NEWSPAPER'S VIEW. (Received February 20. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. Describing the position at Salonika, the "Daily Chronicle" says:—Germany's long line of communications to Belgrade and to thg Bosphorus is threatened by the Russian advance on the eastern front and the Anglo-French-Serbian army outside Salonika. The Allies are within striking distance, and the Italo-Serbian armies with Essad Pasha's forces menace the German right, while the Russians, who are smashing their way forward beyond the Bosphorus, upset Germany's dreams of an attack on Egypt.

PRINCE YUSSUF'3 DEATH. DETAILS OF CRIME. ASSASSINATED BY ENYER'S ORDERS. (Received February 20. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. February id. Mr Martin Donohoe says that the Athens view of the story of Prince Yussuf's death was that there was little doubt that he was assassinated at the instigation of Enver Pasha. The Prince was found in the palace, lying in a corridor between the* harem and his bathroom, with a vein in the left arm open. He was allowed to bleed to death. The body was covered with bruises, and everything indicated a desperate struggle. He was waylaid in the corridor. Cries were heard in the harem, but none offered help, though several slaves were. made, to arm before ho diod. The Prince was aware that his life was in danger, but the plans for his assassination were well laid. He was always armed and had a revolver in his bedroom, but ha failed to take the weapon in the corridor. A passer-by heard piteous shouts for help. Marks on tho throat showed, that the Prince's assailants had half-choked him to stifle nrs cries.

There was deep enmity betwean the Prince and Enver, and the latter has not scrupled to remove enemies from his path. The climax was reachud a few weeks ago, when Prince Yussuf said " Beware, your hour is approaching." Enver never forgave him.