Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-16
ANGLO-FRENCH RETREAT
HAS COME TO AN END
Will Attempt to Hold Strong Line,
While Base Is
Fortified.
GREECE MAY BE FORCED TO ACT
Believed People VIII Refuse Abso.
lutely to Consent to Bulgarian
Invasion to Reach
Enemy.

SOFIA, December 16, via
London, 3:23 p.m.-A neu-
tral zone extending two kilo-
meters on each side of the
frontier has been agreed
upon between Greece and
Bulgaria, according to an
official announcement made
here today.
LONDON, December 10
There is possibility that an in
formal truce may be arranged
between the belligerents on the
Greek frontier in order to permit
the Greek electors in the theater
of operations to fulfill her ma
tional duty at the coming cleo
ton. according to the Athens cor
respondent of the Daily Chronicle.
The entente allies have declared
themselves favorable to such course.
says the correspondent. and there is
likelihood of the Germans accepting
the arrangement and refraining from
hostilities while the election is pend
ing.
The retirement of the Anglo-French
forces has ended, and they now occupy
strong positions north of Saloniki.
where thus far their opponents have
made no effort to disturb them.
AuStro- Hungarian troops. pushing
| a6 ~ In. har
reached the vicinity of Bjelopolje. on
the Lin river. about twenty miles west
of the Serbian border. it was announced
today by German army headquarters In
Berlin.
Austrians Claim Advances.
In their advance south from Plevljs.
in northern Montenegro, the army of
Gen. Won Koevess has taken the Mon
tenegrin positions south of Franagora
along the entire length of the line, 1T
is announced by the Austro- Hungarian
army headquarters. An Austrian COL
umn has reached Tara gorge and dis
persed hostile battalion near Glihaci,
according to the statement, while other
Austrian troops have reached Grab.
The capture of $40 soldiers and $50
men of military age is reported.
The next move in the Balkan theater
of war occupies the attention of the
Athens and Saloniki correspondents of
the British press.
There are 2oa.o00 entente troops at
Saloniki. according to the Daily Mall,
whose Saloniki correspondent says the
retreat of the entente allies was SO
brilliantly carried out that the large
forces of Bulgarians were unable at
any point to overtake and defeat them.
In fact, the Bulgarians were so de-
ceived by the rapidity of the meneu-
vers and the precision of the move
ments of the entente troops that they
lost much time in hombarding certain
French force had abandoned the pre-
ceding day.
Allies Have Fortified Line.
According to the correspondents OF
the Times and the Morning Post. the
forces will halt on the line
from Karasuli, in northern Greece. OF
which they will try to hold until the
Saloniki positions are fortified This
line already Is fortified. and there is =
strong British force, made up mostly
of cavalry, to the north and northeast
of Kilfndir. on the Doiran railway.
The correspondent of the Morning
Post adds the interesting statement on
the authority of the Bulgarian min
lished intervie,. that Gievgeli and
southern Serbia, both of which
are In the hands of the Teutonic allies.
will be surrendered to Greece. He says
DOuC MOnSIalr, however
The Athens correspondent of the
Times says he believes the whole fu-
ture position turns on whether the Bull
garians invade Greece. He asserts that
he is very doubtful whether Greece
would sit still under such move, even
though the king and the government
should consent to 1t. which he declines
to believe would be done. He says the
Greek government can be trusted to
run no unnecessary risks. Caution has
been it's policy and neutrality its aim.
but the Creek government consists OF
and every Greek is at heart
patriot: declares the correspondent He
adds that only events that unite the
the government and the peo-
pie will force Greece to abandon her
neutrality.
Quit Eastern Macedonia.
says that virtually all of Greek east
,rn Macedonia has now been abandoned
% the French and British forces. in ac
,ordance with the agreement reached
With the Greek government.
Most of the Greek troops which were
It SalonilSi have retired in the direclirn
IF Sorovitch and Kozam. in Creek
We IN Macedonia, while the Lancaza
livision has gone to Serree.
A Reuter- dispatch from Athens says
he Bulgarian minister has made pub
ic a reassuring statement dwelling
lpon Bulgaria's friendly attitude to-
ward Greece.
'aThe Greek government now seems
o be satisfied that there will be no
Bulgarian incursicn on Greek terri
ory," the correspondent continues.
Relations between Greece and the
ntente powers are improving steadily
nd King Constantine has announced
lis intention of attending the ball at
he Russian legation on the occasion
4 Emperor Nicholas name day. il his
lealth permits"
Saloniki Held Fearful.
BERLIN, December 16. by wireless to