THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144855, 6 December 1915, Page 3

THE BALKANS.

SITUATION IN GREECE. ATTEMPT TO PEEASE BOTH SIDES. LONDON, Doc. 4. Athens messages declare that there are no fresh developments in the diplomatic situation. The Government is still hoping for a reduction of the Eutonlo’s demands, which will render possible an understanding to which the Central Powers would not object. The Echo do Paris, however, announces that owing to doubts about the Greek action the - Allies have reestablished their restrictions upon Greek commerce, which wore rescinded jus a mark of what has proved rather premature confidence. Mr. G. Stevens, the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent at Athens, states .that the censorship at Athens renders cables valueless, so no telegraphs from Salonika. The Cabinet is sitting continuously. As a result of extreme German pressure the Greek Cabinet is divided, and the Austro-Germans are straining every ncfvo to make the Allies’ position untenable. M. Skouloudis is anxious to avoid unpleasant rotations with the Allies, but ho is in a most difficult position. The Paris Journal states that the Allies hold tho whole of tlio railways from Salonika, and arc in a naturally .entrenched camp at Ijccmca. at the bend of tho Vardar. Meanwhile, a big Gorman column, abandoning its march southward and making eastward, has penetrated considerably bovond tho Bulgarian frontier. Tho Allies arc awaiting reinforcements, and are doubtless on tho eyo of events of great importance. COPENHAGEN, Dec. 4. Tho Berliner Tagcblntt says that Greece has agreed to givo the Allies the free use of tho railways in Greece and Macedonia, also tho Aegean harbours, including Kavala. Tho paper adds that Austro-Germany has offered Greece the Aegean Islands and southern Albania if she will remain strictly neutral. PETROGRAD, Dec. 5. It is reported that a Serbian bullet slightly wounded General Mackonscn. TEE MILITARY POSITION. SERBIANS RETIRE TO ALBANIA. MILAN, Dec. 4. M. Magrini witnessed tho Serbians’ retreat from Mouastir, which began at ten o’clock on Wednesday night, after tho civic militia had organised, ponding tho occupation. The American hag was then hoisted on tho hospital, where tho American Red Cross Mission were tending three hundred wounded. General Vassitch entrusted the American Mission with a slock of provisions, which couid not be removed, for distribution amongst tho poor. General Vassifch t in bidding farewell to M. Magrini, said: “Our mission is how to defend tho Gorge of Hosna. Wo will fight to tho last soldier and to our last drop of blood. Wo have faith in the final victory of tho Allies and in the resurrection of a greater Serbia.” General Vassitch placarded tho town: “The army must retire, but is leaving you its broad. In separating from you 1 pray for your life. An r'evoir.” He then motored to Rosna with hie staif. ATHENS, Doc, 5. No enemy troops have entered Monastir, but only Austro-Gcrman and Bulgarian officers. PARIS, Dec. 5. Tho Echo de Paris’ Athens correspondent states that tho whole of tho Serbian Northern and Southern .Armies have retreated safely to Albania, and that tho Greek Government has given assurances that they will not bo disarmed. M. Pashitch telegraphs that the Serbians aro going to re-form in Albania and Montenegro. Le Matin’s Bucharest correspondent says that three Bulgarian divisions have crossed tho Hungary frontier, either bound for tho Italian front or tho British western front. GENEVA, Dec. S. Tho Ponso Wisener Journal says that, anticipating tho Russian attack, the Bulgarians have concentrated forty thousand men on the Danube front. Much material is arriving at I’ustchuk. AMSTERDAM. Dec. 4.

Dutch Rod Cross Sisters from Serbia give graphic accounts of Gorman bru-, tality at Kraguiovatz. Many Serbians wore wounded by dumdums, ' and tho Germans painted tho lied Cross on tho foreheads of slightly wounded soldiers, and also with nitrate of silver made a cross on tho check. They goaded a man with a fractured skull until the ’ bayonet jags covered his body with red, bleeding wounds. VARIED OFFICIAL REPORTS. LONDON, Doc. 4. A Berlin communique states; Wo captured twelve hundred Serbians, who were fighting in isolated doachmeuts, on Thursday in tho mountains southwest of Mitrovitza. A Montenegrin communique reports: Owing to tho arrival of strong enemy contingents at Metalka wo evacuated Plovlio and retired to defensive positions. AMSTERDAM, Doc. .4. An Austrian communique reports:— Wo annihilated an enemy detachment at San Martens. Tho enemy artillery caused a largo fire in the centre of Gonzia, doing considerable damage. Numerous Albanians joined us during tho fighting between Mitrovitza and Ipok, A Montenegrin communique says:— The enemy violently attacked us at Chekotinar River, near Plevjo, but wore repulsed. IMPUDENT GREEK PROPOSAL. GERMAN SPY AS CENSOR. (Received Deo. 6, 8.55 .a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 5. Tho Observer states that M. Skouloudis has informed correspondents that telegrams must be censored by M. Joan Larreu. Tho latter proves to be Baron von Schene’s tool, and a Turkish Legation spy. The matter has been brought to tbo notice of tho Allied Legations. THE ITALIAN EXPEDITION. TO LAND IN ALBANIA. .(Received Deo. 6, 8 a.m.) ROME, Dec. 6. Tho Stampa declares that au Italian expedition will soon land in Albania. Tho first contingent will he engineers, who will improve the roads and estab.Uali connections.

ROUMANIAN POLICY,

STILL SHROUDED IN MYSTERY. , (Received Dec. 6, 8.55 a.m.) BUCHAREST, Dec. 5. Official. —Tho military, from Monday, are commandeering all steamers and other craft in Roumanian waters belonging to foreigners. M. Bratianu, m the Senate, refused explanations of tho Government’s policy. BULGARIAN PREMIER. INDICATES FUTURE POLICY. (Received Dec. 6, 8.55 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 5. A Berlin message states that M. Radoslavoff (Premier of Bulgaria), interviewed by tho Berliner Tageblatt, says tho Bulgarian Government intends to annex the regions carrying Bulgarian population. Auatro-Hungary will take measure to ensure their freedom from Serbian intrigue. Tho fate of tho rest of Serbia is not foretold. Developments, ho adds, have not impaired the relations existing between Greece and Bulgaria. THREATENED ENVELOPMENT. OF THE ALLIED TROOPS. (Received Dec. 6, 10.25 a.m.) PARIS, Doc. 5. Tho Echo do Paris says that it is incontestable that the marching to Bulgaria, sent munitions and supplies ahead. AVo may expect important German ami Bulgarian forces soon to begin an enveloping movement against the Cerna-Strumnitza front. Tho onemy, with Greek complicity, will not hesitate to use Greek territory to tho east of tho Allies* positions in order to cut tho Salonika railway. Tho time for prudence with Greece has gone and wo must act. vigorously if wo aro going to persevere so that our troops may have liberty of movement* NO FAITH IN GREECE. THE PRESS AGAIN HOSTILE. (Received Dec. 6, 10.20 a.m.) PARIS. Dec. 5. The Salonika correspondent of Lo Journal states that, despite reliable reports of disaffection at Sofia, it would bo unwise if tho Allies founded fchoir hopes on them and became exposed to tho danger of being stuck fast in a trench war the issue of which it would be impossible to foresee, unless tho Russians had already penetrated Bulgaria. The Greek press is daily growing more bitter and is already circulating lying reports that 200,0()0 Germans have arrived on tho Greek'frontier. Events must soon come to a head, and tho Allies should profit by the liberty of movement while there is yet. time. Already there are Bulgarian concentrations of a disturbing character at Ochrida.