THE SALONIKA FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3260, 6 September 1916, Page 17

THE SALONIKA FRONT.

BULGARIANS RETIRING,

After the failure of Sunday's three violent attacks on tho Banitza-Ostrovo road (south-oast of Monastir), the Bulgars contented themselves for a time with desultory artillery firing. The Serbians maintained their positions. Tho Serbians eastward of Cerna made important progress in tho direction of Vetrinik. They repulsed three Bulgarian attacks btcwecn Banica and Ostrovo, inflicting serious losses. The Bulgarians occupied various localities that have been abandoned by the Greeks eastward of Kavala. The report denies the Bulgarian communique of Saturday that the Serbs were defeated at Kukoruz; instead, they repeatedly defeated tho Bulgarians. The French reported on tho 27th that the Serbians pursue their ad vanco towards Vetrenik. They repelled strong Bulgarian attacks north-west of Lak' Ostrovo, and further southward. The Serbians repulsed the Bu!gars westward of Ostrovo with heavy losses. The Bulgars aro attempting a movement towards Kataranitza (cast of Lake Ostrovo), with tho object of throwing attacks upoi. tho Serbian left flank. This attack is now opening. The Serbian line is holding firm. It is estimated that the Bulgar losses on the Serbian front total 30,000. The Bulgarians on August 28 again assaulted tho Serbian left wing at Ostrovo. The battle lasted until ' nightfall, and the Bulgars were crushingly defeated and thrown back in disorder. In tho Struma district British- patrols have been in tho habit of leaving newspapers for the Bulgars, who left a message: "Wo do not want to fight you. Leave us alone, and wo shall not molest you." British monitors bombarded enemy gatherings at the mouth of tho Struma. A French report on the 28th stated that thero was great artillery activity in tho Lake Doiran region, on the banks of the Vardar, where wo destroyed an aviation establishment at Menccnce. West of the lake we continue our progress towards Djumeniea. Tho enemy shelled the Kopriva bridge, on the Struma front, but their bateries were silenced. Anglo-French aeroplanes bombed Drama railway station (east of Seres and north of Kavala), and a troop transport at Porna, apparently successfully. Later on the Anglo-French bombardment was continued on the Doiran and Struma fronts, and progress was made here and there. A French communique dated tho 2nd stated: There is -violent artillery work along the Struma front and in the Lake Doiran region. Our patrols frequently reconnoitred tho right (east) bank of tho Struma. Serbian infantry fire repulsed a Bulgarian attack north-east of Kukwiuz. Essad Pasha has arrived at Salonika in command of an Albanian contingent. The Allies at Salonika are reliably stated to be numerically superior to the Bulgarians, and a general advance is regarded in Franco as imminent. The French press urae united Allied action against Sofia. The Bulgarians are now masters of tho greater part of Macedonia east of the Struma. Bulgaria has ordered the recruitment of all men of military age among tho Bul-garian-speaking Turkish population of Eastern Macedonia. A French report dated tho Ist inst. says: Our artillery set fire to the Pardovica railway station, north of Ghovgheli. The Sorb:ans easily repulsed a Bulgarian night attack in the Vetrenik sector. The Bulgarians have arrived at Malik, two hours' march from Corytsa. They are terrorising the inhabitants, and have seized 25.000.000 kilograms of cereals in the occupied regions. The 25.000.000 kilograms (probably about 1.000.000 bushels) of cereals appropriated by tho Bulgarians at Corytsa was stored for Greek nrlitary use or in farmers' hands. The Bulgarians have captured Colonel Christodoulos and 3000 volunteers who set out from Salonika for Eastern Macedonia, on receipt of the news of the occupation of Demirhissar and Seres by the Bulgarians. Mr J. M. Jeffries, correspondent for the Daily Mail at Athens, wri^s:—"The Bulgars' scheme was rapidly overcome - bv the Serbians. It Avas to descend fast with an army corps into old Greece, and perhaps towards Athens, hoping in the general disorder to severely embarrass General Sarrail. Although tho Serbians mustered only 8000 as against 50,000 Bulgarians, they saved the situation." Tho Times Salonika correspondent suggests that the occupation of Kavala by the Bulgars is not with any military object, but in order to seize tho huge stock of tobacco there. Germany being verv short of tobacco. Mr Ward Price, the Times Salonika correspondent, states that the Bulgars aro killing the Serbian wounded. Seventeen authentic cases have been verified at Nevolani. The Mayor and another official were murdered at Aytos. Serbian headquarters are officially protestin? to British headquarters, complaining that the Bulgarians bombed their wounded s~vm times. Mr Calvert (The Times Balkans correspondent) states that the Sovlv'nn staff has certain information that the Bulgars frequently murdered wounded Serbs. Rome has sent a wireless message to London stating that German and Turkish officers are reported to have been assassinated at Sofia. _ British opponents of the Salonika expedition on militarv grounds now have cause to thank M, Brunei's firmness in maintaining that it was vital for political reasons. A Bulgarian communique on tho 30t,h stated: Our right wing has consolidated its new positions in the Fiorina "Plain, west and north of Lake Ostrovo. We repulsed Serbian attacks at Moglena and conquered the heights south oF Sborsko. Our left wing has consolidated its new position east of Struma, and on tho coast from Orfano Gulf to Vesta Bay. A Rome wireless message states that Bulgaria is asking for the of 200.000 Turkish troops os a condition of her declaring war upon Rumania. A German communique states: Wo stormed Mount Kokul. The Serbians wero dislodged by the Bulbars, and are falling bank unon the outskirts of Sorovitch (between Lake Ostrovo and Fiorina). The Times Salonika correspondent, telegraphs that tho Bulgarians, without firing a shot, secured possession of 17 Creek forts, containing huge quantities of provisions and hundreds of puns. The Bulgarians havo withdrawn from Sorovitch towards the passes of Kirlideven and Banitza The Serbian cavalry has reached Sorovitch. The Bulgarians continue

to retreat all along tho Florinti-Monastir Valley. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Athens cablesi "The Bulgarians are falling baok rapidly towards the Monastir-Florina plain. Tho Serbs are pressing on, deepite a sharp counter-attack by a Bulgar column upon the slopes of Gornichevo, which v. as detailed to cover the Bulgar retreat. Ihe attack failed, with heavy Bulgar loss, the Serbs capturing three Krupp guns. The retreat towards Monastir is so hurried that it may soon bo turned into a rout. The Bulgars are already unable to move their wounded."

It is reported that the Greeks have withdrawn from Seres (near tho north-east bank of the Sltruma), and tho Bulgars have occupied the town. Tho Bulgar residents welcomed the troops. Comitadjis arc being formed to co-operate with the Bulgars. Mr J. M. N. Jeffries, correspondent of the Daily Mail at Athens, reports:—"The Bulgars have apparently commenced their retreat from Greece. Serbian cavalry crrived at Sorovicevo, and the enemy were forced to evacuate Elevis, Caldzilar, and Pateli. They attempted to retake Corniccvo, north-cast of Baniea, but were driven back. They are now reported to be marching en route for Monatir." It is reported that General Jostaff, Chief of the Bulgarian _ General Staff, committed suicide, not wishing to lead the army to what he considered was certain defeat. His suicide delayed tho Bulgarian declaration of war. BULGARIA'S INSECURE POSITION. Crown Prince Boris of Bulgaria, when recently in Vienna, expressed himself to tho Bourbonists and Francophiles in the plainest terms. _ It is understood that_ Ferdinand, if Bulgaria is defeated, will abdicate in favour of Boris, who would then immediately declare in favour of tho Entente. The Homo Meesagoro states that there has been a violent quarrel between tho King of Bulgaria and the Crown Prince. The King called Prince Boris to account for his Russophile tendencies, and ordered him to take his jjlace in the army. Prince Boris refused, and is now hiding in Sofia Dr Dillon, correspondent for the Daily Telegraph at Rome, states that the Bulgarian plan of action was decided upon directly a catastrophe was inevitable. The Russophilo party was still making overtures to the Entente Powers, offering to withdraw from the German alliance, depose Ferdinand, and proclaim Prince Boris as King, on condition that the Serbian Macedonia (Enos to Midia) frontier was accorded to Bulgaria. The Times correspondent at Bucharest writes: The situation in Bulgaria is critical. A German division was summoned to suppress two Russian movements at Philippopolis, Yamboli, and Sitarazaora, but the population resisted, and there was considerable bloodshed. The position of M. RadislavofT's Cabinet is very critical. German newspapers show great uneasiness regarding Bulgaria. They admit that the frontiers are difficult to defend, and should Greece join the Entente Bulgaria may possibly bo compelled to sue for peace, which would be a calamity to the Central Powers. RUSSIANS APPROACHING. The Russians are throwing pontoons over the Danube at Reni, where the Rumanians have erected miles of landing stages, suggesting a powerful Russian invasion through the Dobrudja. It is officially announced from Bucharest that the Russian Allies are passing through Dobrudja, where the population have enthusiastically welcomed them. The Russian Black Sea fleet is assisting in the defence of the Rumanian seaports. General Dimitrieff (a Bulgar) is commanding the Russians. Serbian troops have entered Rumania, and are co-operating with the Russians. Tho Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Petrograd states that the Russians continue to pour into Rumania. A BULGARIAN TOWN CAPTURED. It is reported in Berlin that the Rumanians have occupied the Bulgarian town of Rustchuk, on the Danube, the railway from which connects the_ town with Varna (on the Black Sea), Tirnova, Sofia, and Constantinople. Germany is not allowing civilians to use the Balkan railways unless on most urgent business. Sho has stopped the export of iron.