The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-12
Allied Governments Determine
to Withdraw Forces to Sa-
lonica for Present
GREEK GOVERNMENT
ACCEDES TO DEMANDS
VIII Permit the Allies to Use
Greek Territory, But Such
Permission Is Given Only
Under U.simaturn' Stress

Paris, Dec. An explosion
destroyed the munitions fac
tories Of the Belgian govern
ment at Havre today. There
were 1,500 Relgians employed
there, ana all the employees
were at work at the time.
Il is believed that the mum.
Der of dead and injured will
reach 1000.
A defamation occurred in one
Of the buildings which con-
tanned a supply of powder for
loading shells, and caused the
shells to explode with great vio-
lence. It was four hours before
the wreckage could be APP
preached after the explosion
The plant was damaged OK
tensively.
ALLIES WITHDRAW TO
sALONICA For WINTER.
] London. Dec. 1.-THE French and
British governments decided at this
conclusion today of two-day con-
ference in Paris upon the action to be
taken in the Balkans.
! Your Rome corresp ondent eele graphs
Information received thrpue reliable
channels that the entente powers de-
cided to withdraw from the Serbian
frontier the forces now engaged with
the Bulgarians. These forces are to
retire to winter quarters to be estab-
lished at Salonica. and elsewhere, In
pursuance with an understanding with
Greece.
/ At the same time the decision WAS
reached, according to semi -official
announcement made in Paris at the
1 close of the conference, to continue the
campaign in the Balkans. and to take
steps at once to send sufficient troops
to Salonica To insure the safety OF
the expeditionary force already there.
After retiring on Salonica. the Anglo
! French troops will be instructed -
hold that port at all costs until SUR
ficiAnt troops have been added 40 tho
present expeditionary force to enable
the allies to Initiate a great ofrensive
In this theater of war. The infornla-
ton that winter quarters are to he
prepared at Salonica and other points.
seems to indicate that this Offensive
wilt Het-be- =sssatsa-sisrisss ss7-FAa=
conference discussed the operations In
the west and on other fronts AS we'll
as the situation in the Balkans aud 1t
may be assumed that the Balkan of
fensive will be only Il part Of general
scheme of campaign to be inaugurated
TN all the theaters of war,
Greece Accedes Under Pressure.
The decision OF the entente reRard-
ing the retention OF the base at Sa-
lonica for future operations IN the Bali
kans seems to have been reached upon
! the receipt on news from Athens that
/ the Greek government has ncceded to
/ the demands of the allies in the mat
! ter of the position OF the expeditions
AIRY force on Greek territory, and the
other questions at issue between Greece
and the allies. A news dispatch from
Athens under Saturdays date an
nounces that Greece has accepted the
allies demands, and adds:
\ THE suspense shortly viii be settled
\ to the satisfaction of the allies.
\ At the Paris conferences Great Rrit-@
ain was represented by Sir Edward
Grey. foreign minister, and Lord wits
chener. war secretary, while Premier
BRAND and General CIaileni, minister
OF war. represented France,
I The Paris Temps. in IT'S commeut On
the conference. says;
The decision is Anal. very strong
Franco British army will end the
evasion of King Constantine In a more
effective manner than fine words AZ
will open the way to the Russian araaxa
which Is waiting on the Danube until
Rumania is pleased To let IL pa -.
THE allies have made the decision
to remain at Salonica. and 10 sead
sufficient forces to resume the onenxes
under favorable conditions. II Will
he necessary, however. 10 act quick
~. The transportation Of lasas forceA
by sea lis slow work, and there IN iofA-S
ing 10 prevent making beginning. TIA
number of troops TO be sent can M
1 determined later. 3S
L In conjunction with the offeMsivs 0Ks
the augmented entente expeditionafF
force the Serbian army. re0rgantx&4s
and re- provisionesl. is expected 70 p1aXS
a part in the effort to free S4tk{AS
Of invaders. Information receivt4 sb4z
ffsnntfpued nm Third HaHA1 SMESsMss%