LAST DAYS AT MONASTIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1915, Page 5

LAST DAYS AT MONASTIR.

SERBS DID THEIR UTMOST. Received Dec. 20, 5.5 p.m. Times and Sydney £un Services. London, Dec. 19. Mr. Shepperd gives a vivid impression of the last days at Monastir. On November 12 he saw a regiment of Serb farmers and workmen, armed with shovels, going out a few miles to dig trenches, this being the first sign that the city was endangered. Far to the northward the little Serb army was falling back against terrific odds, and the shovel brigade revealed the whole story. The noise of the enemy guns was like distant thunder, and gradually came nearer. Colonel Niketsch, of. the Serb headquarters, informed the correspondents that the Serbs had done their utmost, but were retiring. Only two regiments were left from Kabuna Pass, and they would hold Prilep for two days, retire to Monastir and hold it for three days, and finally evacuate it. Colonel Niketsch refused sympathy. Standing erect and proud, he said simply: ''lt is war. The Serbs have done their utmost. The trenches on the outskirts are purposely mada on the hillside to prevent retreat. The Serbian motto of Monastir is to fight out to the latt man ud tht bit krwtfV