Evening star., 1915-12-05
RUMAN|A TO SEIZE +;
SHIPS AND MAY AID
ALLIES IN BALKANS
All Vessels in Ports Will Be
Commandeered ''in Interest
of National Defense"
PREMIER IS SECRETIVE
AS TO NATIONS PLAN
Possible That Country Will Permit
Passage of Russians to
Bulgaria.
SERBIANS RESIST AUSTRIANs
Scattered Bands Active Near Mon
tenegrin Border-Gen. Won Mack
ensen Asks King Peters
Subjects to Return.

4.-
cent reports make Rumania loom
unusually large on the Balkan
horizon. and that country is gen
orally accredited with the inten-
ton either of Joining the allies or
at least stretching herneutralityto
the point of allowing the passage
OF Russian troops. There has
been, however. no confirmation OF
the report that Russian troops
have already entered Rumanian
territory. -..-..
Reuters Bucharest correspon-
dent telegraphs the Rumanian
military authorities have an
nounced that all steamships,
barges, tugs and other craft an
chored in Rumanian ports be-
longing to foreign or private Ru-
manlan companies will be COM
mandeered Monday in the inter
est OF national defense" !"
Premier Bratiano. the CORE
spondent SAYS. has informed the
Rumanian senate he is unable to
give explanations OF the govern
ments foreign policy or inforrna-
ton concerning military supplies.
This information is reserved I'm
the interest of national defense"
British Still Skeptical.
The British press and public in gem
eral, however. which have grown
skepticaI over premature announce
Inents of changes in the policy of the
Balkan states, show little disposition
to take favorabl issue for granted
until it is established beyond the possi-
bility of doubt.
Scattered Serbian bands are resisting
the Austrian advance near the Monte
negrin border. and the principal task
of the Teutonic troops at present seems
to be the rounding up of as many OF
the isolated units possible. Success
in taking more than 1000 Serbians in
the last days mountain fighting re-
ported. is announced by the Berlin war
office.
Inaction in the South.
In south Serbia there is compa rative
inaction, the weather continuing ad
verse. According to announcement in
declared to be offical. no
troops of the central powers marched
into Monastir when it was evacuated
by the Serbians. Only German. Aus
trian and Bulgarian officers entered the
city, raising the flags of their respec-
tive nations.
A dispatch from Milan says that a
special correspondent of the Milan
newspaper Secolo. who was present AT
he evacuation of Monastir. has sent
he following story from Florina,
Greece, unuer ,.a.e of Thursday:
The Serbs held back their adver-
saries throughout Wednesday, but the
pressure of the Bulgarians descending
-etreat from Monastir to Resna and
forced Col. Vassitch to abandon the
.ity.
wv Wednesday at 10 pm. Serbian
"a ttalion passed through the city in re-
.reat taking the route to Resna. The
,erbians gave an impression of reso
ute heroism. They defiled through the
streets in good order and in absolute
silence.
col. Vassitch remained until almost
The last He left at 1890 a. in an
automobile with the officers of his
staff The colonel made this statement:
".If the Bugarians succeed now in
cutting the route between Resna and
Monastir they will be able TO marcn
npon Ochrida and cut the retreat of
he Serbian army of the north. which
Is retiring toward Struga and Elbasaa
(Albania)- [
Must Defend Defile.
I'VE now have a mission to defend
he defiIe of Resna. ! hope that up TO
he last minute we shall be able to
make of the River Cerna a new User.
We have resisted to the last extremity.
,ut II is impossible to withstand the
superior forces. We will fight
q our last man. sure of the final victory
~ the allies, sure of the resurrection
If Serbia.
col. Vassitch before leaving Mon
stir posted proclamation expiainlnG
@ the inha bitants the necessity for
he retreat The mayor, prefect and
,tber city officials left by train for
rlorina This tThursdayl morning the
asst of the Serbian companies left the
.ity with their machine guns. leaving
hs Greek flag hoisted above the rail
~ station. The railroad service con-
inues.
German Proclamation.
Field Marshal Won Mackensen. COM
handler of the German army in Serbia,
as issued the following proclamation
O the Serbian people:
I'VE are fighting against the army
nly, and not against the Serbian peo-
lie The life and property OF those who
q not oppose the armies of the central
owers will remain in security.
therefore, we call upon you, Ser
iaus. to return to your residences. re-
ume your occupations and voluntarily
ubject yourselves to the directions OF