THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144853, 3 December 1915, Page 3

THE BALKANS.

THE POSITION IN GREECE. OPTIMISTIC FRENCH ENVOY. , TIMES AND SYDNEY SEN SERVICES. (Received Dec. 3, 8 a.m.) LONDON, Doc. 2. At Messina Mr. JeflrieS interviewed M. Cochin, who said lie had an enthusiastic reception in Greece and received the impression that the bulk of tho people was heartily pro-Ally. He passed through a crowd ot twenty thousand shouting “Jxing live the Allies, especially Prance, and down with the Bosches.” “Tho King,” said Mr. Cochin, “was most cordial to me. My belief is that ho is not pro-German, but that - his greatest desire is neutrality. He assart'd mo that lie was salislied and inpressed by his niter/mw with Lon! Kitchener.” liegardin,' the second Note M. ('.■vain said diplomatic action was no I'rgci imperative because the Greek Government had already accepted the principle ct tho nnn-application of tho strict Hague concilium* of neutrality. The second Nn:e merely discussed details of the application of tho principle. ITALY SENDING HELP. AS GREEK ASSURANCE SATISFACTORY. (Received Dec. 3, 9.10 a.m.) HOME, Dee. 2. Baron Sonnino states that Greece lias given the Allies the required assurances and Italy will speedily assist Serbia, VERY CONFLICTING REPORTS, ABOUT GREECE AND ROUMANIA. LONDON, Doc. 2. From Athens, -Mr. Bonohon reports that despite M. Bratiamrs reiteration of the neutrality of Komnanin, it k believed that the renewed Austro-Cei man influences have in some dogrov been successful, as n result of tho tempting territorial offers dangled before M. Bratiamb

Tho Paris press has received report* from Salonika that German aviation stations have been organised along tho Bulgarian coast, and learns authoritatively that 120.00(1 Turks will ho sent to the defenee of Bulgaria.

The Daily Nows’ Romo correspondent slates that Greece has notified tho Allies that their demands that Greece should evacuate Salonika ami that tho Allies assume surveillance of the const are unacceptable, and practically amount to a violation of Greece’s neutrality. The correspondent adds that- Greece s hesitation is duo to the Austro-German threat that the territory occupied by the Anglo-French would he considered enemy territory if Greece acceded to the Allies' demands. There are conflicting messages from Bucharest. The Danish press asserts that Romuania has notified Russia of her earnest wish to remain neutral, and consequently will not allow tho Russian nnvv to enter the Danube. She further emphasises the danger of mines. Pro-Germans in Roumania are forming a so-called patriotic league, the programme being the conquest of Bessarabia and joining the Centra! Powers. M. Maghilnronn and other ex-Ministers have joined it. The Paris press asserts that there is every reason for optimism that the entry of Roumania. with the Allies is assured. Lo Temps’ correspondent at Bucharest stales that the German Minister recently remarked: “I am less considered here than the representative of Montenegro.” , t ~ . Other telegrams announce that I ort Kola is being enlarged, and a shipment of munitions to Roumania is being arranged ; also the transportation of Russian munitions and goods across tho railway. The Berlin press says that tho General Staff has assured the Germans that Christians will make huminatarian efforts to relievo the Armenians. Fifty thousand Austro-Germans are arriving at Kiistchnk. where a concentration is intended to impress Roumania, who has closed tho Danube to tho Bulgar frontier, claiming the right to police tho river. Tho Times’ correspondent at Bucharest says that large supplies of munitions have arrived at Rustehuk, in seven trucks drawn by locomotives. Quarters have been prepared for. tho Austro-Ger-mans in schools and public buildings. Roumania insists upon Roumanian pilots boarding vessels. 1 ROME. Dec. 2.

II Comoro della Sera states that tho Russians have invaded Bnkowiua ami captured Tladngora and Masha'ra. The Russian concent ration on tho Danube continues. Tho Roumanians arc con centra tine: more troops on the Austrian frontier. Reports from Bucharest state that tho Germans have withdrawn largo forces from Bulgaria and Serbia to meet the Russian offensive in Galicia and Bukowina. , Several battalions of Bulgarians have been sent to Gallipoli, instead of Germans as was originally planned. SOFIA, Dee. 2.

A communique says; Wo captured seventeen thousand prisoners, the remains of the Serbian army, and took fifty field guns and howitzers and much material. This will probably end tho campaign against Serbia. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 2. An Austrian communique states: We are attacking the Graclina heights south-east of Mctalka ridge. Our columns stormed the border of the plateau for ten kilometres north of Provljo, which the Montengrins stubbornly defended.