Evening star., 1915-11-17
KRUSEV0 is CAPTURED
AND PERLEPE MENACED
King Peters Men Reported to Have
Been Forced From Strong Posi-
tions at Babruna Pass, g.
GERMANS KEEP UP ADVANCE
Berlin Reports Capture of 1000 Of
Enemy-Fierce Fighting Goes
On Along the Cerna'
River Front.

LONDON, November 1.-THE
tate OF the Serbian army NAV be
only matter of hours. Monastir.
IN southwest Serbia, is reported
to be in such perilous position
that the consular officials have
departed from the city. From
the various conflicting reports
which have reached the public
the following apparently may be
deduced as facts.
The Bulgarians have taken
krusevo, and are six miles west
of Perlepe. Thus the southern
Serbian army and its Franco
British allies are confronted with
the imminent peril of an outflank-
ing movement.
Tetovo is in the hands OF the
Bulgarians.
The fate OF the Serbians hold.
ing Babuna pass is more obscure.
One report states that the pass
has been forced. 1t seems certain
that the defenders are at least
threatened SO seriously that their
position soon may be untenable.
With Krusevo and Babuna in
the hands of the invaders, the
fate OF Perlepe would be sealed
and the road to Monastir opened.
Attempts OF the Serbians to
check the Austro-German drive
have again failed, the Berlin war
office announced today. More
than 1000 Serbians were cap
tured yesterday.
Serb Retirement Reported.
The Serbs have been compelled to re-
tire from their strong positions in Ba-
buna Pass, which is in imminent dan
ger of being turned by masses of Bull
garian infantry. says a dispatch to the
Mail from Saloniki. filed yesterday. The
French were held on the left bank of
the Oranya river. south of veles. by
considerable Bulgar forces and We're
unable to send assistance to the hard
pressed SerbianS.
The Bulgarian offensive in the
Tetovo district is on tremendous
scale, the correspondent says and the
Serbians are retiring southwark.
Detachments of British troops
leaving Saloniki constantly for Mon
astir, where the Serbians are prepar
ing a series of strong defenses. Should
the Bugars reach Monastir the Serb
would be cut off from their lines OF
supply.
Second Bulgar Force Advances.
SALONIKI, November 16. via Paris.
November 17.-In addition to the Bull
earian column, which turned the Ser
bian position at Babuna pass. a second
Bulgar force is advancing on Kostovo
from Kalkendelen.
The Bulgarians are reported to be
withdrawing from the Cerna river Sec
tion. in southern Serbia, which is held
by the French. The French report
many desertions from the Bulgar
army.
Gen. Sarrail. commanders in chief of
the French army In the Balkans, in
the result of a thirty-six
hour battle on the Cerna river. in
southern Serbia. declares that 10000
were repulsed along the
whole line with very heavy casualties.
Not one French gun was lost.
Will Oppose French.
The Bulgarians are actively reinforc-
ing their troops operating in the region
of Veles and Uskup. Five divisions OF
Bulgarians are reported to be in the
region of the Babuna pass and Krivo-
LAX, with the object of opposing the
advance of the French troops before
Cerna and the force on the height of
Babuna that defends the route from
Prilip to Monastir.
"On the Cerna front the Bulgarians.
though twice repulsed, are renewing
their assaults. The defle of Babuna
is still firmly held by the Serbs.
"Dispat tches from Sofia report that the
are pushing the repairs to
the railroad running from Nish to So-
fia. 1t is declared that trains will be
running over. the line in a few days"