THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144859, 10 December 1915, Page 7

THE BALKANS.

WHAT THE BULGARIANS SAY. FURTHER SUCCESSES REPORTED BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT. (Received Deo. 10, 12.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Doc. 9. A Bulgarian communique dated the 7th states:—The pursuit of the French on both sides of the Vardar continues. Ve occupied Domirkapu railway station and are now twelve kilometres east of it. We encircled the village of Grabicjfi on three sides and there was a hot battle lasting till midnight. One column attacked the French near the village of Petros, annihilating a battalion in a bayonet attack and capturing an encampment. Wo attacked the Anglo-French on the entire front south of Kosturino, taking 114 British prisoners and two guns. After a stubborn battle wo occupied Ochrida and secured an enormous amount of booty at Damakova, including 18 guns and 100 caissons. THE FRENCH WITHDRAWAL. A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION. (Received Dec. 10, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9. Reuter's correspondent at the British headquarters in Macedonia writes on December 7 that the French left was flung out to great length iu a desperate effort to junction with the Sorbs, while the latter wero making their last stand at Baduna Pass. The venture failed, solely because the task was greater than was humanly possibly considering the resources and time available. Consequent on the Serbian defeat the French were compelled to readjust their lines, shorten their front aud tako up more easily supplied winter quarters. These considerations dictated the French withdrawal from positions north of the Demirkapu Gorge and the abandonment of the Krivolak Road. It is rumoured that the Domirkapu tunnel and bridge were blown up by the French, whoso withdrawal was carried out gradually in perfect order. All material was saved.

Tlio Bulgarian attack, although accompanied by great shell fire, has not been pressed with vigour. The French have effected a closer junction with tho British. The latter’s carefully chosen positions are being scientifically strengthened. In the last Bulgarian offensive, under cover of a thiejv mist, they approached close to our positions, and suffered heavily from machine-guns. Our losses were insignificant. Now that tho Serbians have been practically disposed of tho Bulgarians will probably strongly concentrate against the Frahco-Bntish. The Bulgarians could have occupied Monastic ten days earlier, but owing to their subserviency to the Teutons, and in order not to offend Greek susceptibilities, they waited whilst tJie Gormans, by a forced march, occupied tho town.