New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-17
Berlin Claims New
Advance Near Sc
mendria.
BULGARS TAKE
ZAJECAR FORTS
Threaten Paracin NiSh
Line as Offensive Oper-
ations Begin.
RUMANIA STAYS OUT
Joins Greece and Tells Central
Powers She Will Con-
tinue Neutral.
-By Gable 70 n. rrsua, J


London. Oct. l6.-A blockade OF
the Bulgarian coast in the Egean
Sea and the announcement that
Allied troops were fighting side by
side with the Serbs in the defence
of the Nish-Salonica railway was
the decisive, answer Of the Entente
Powers to-day to the growing men-
ace of Teuton triumph in the Bal
kans.
Both the Austro-Germans and the
Bulgarians. whose offensive began in
earnest to-day, claim further prog
ress in Serbia, Berlin announcing
the capture Of positions south OF
Semendria and east of Pozarevsc,
while Sofia says that the forts Of
Zajecar, guarding one of the lateral
roads to Nish, have fallen TO the
troops Of King Ferdinand.
The hard pressed Serbians, though
beset on three sides, are valiantly
defending every inch of their terri
tory, and claim that enormous losses
have been inflicted on the invaders.
SO great have been those suffered by
the Austro-Germans, Nish asserts.
that Won Mackensen has been forced
to send hurriedly for reinforcements
before he can attempt 70 force his
way up the Morava.
Rumania has joined Greece in de
clining TO enlarge the confagration
in the Near East, by declaring Off
cially that the Rumanian govern
ment intends to preserve strict neu-
arality.
This step followed close on intima-
tions from unofficial German sources
that it was high time that Bucharest
gave more definite indications Of
Rumania's stand, in view Of the lat
est developments in the Balkans.
From a German source also comes
a report that the British and French
ministers are leaving Athens. But
this report is secuted here, and il is
without any other confirmation.
Allied Troops Fighting with Serbs.
The news that Allied troops had al
last reached Serbia relieved consider
able anxiety here. although the fact
that they are fighting only twenty
miles from the Greek frontier IS not
reassuring. The prediction Of Major
Moraht in the Berlin "Tageszeitung"
yesterday, that the Allies would be
too late to aid in the defence Of Nish.
despite its boastfulness, aroused
feeling of disquietude
Major Moraht pointed out the in
adequacy Of the NishSalonica railway
TO handle anything like the amount OF
traffic such as would be occasioned by
the throwing Of a grent Allied force
into Serbia. The Germans, he esti
mated, would reach Nish in from six
to ten days, while TO transport ten di-
visions Of French and British troops
70 the Serbian capital would require
at least two weeks.
The fact that Allied troops have been
reported only twenty miles north OF
the Greek frontier. among the more
pessimistic, tends 20 confirm the con
cusions OF the Berlin military writer
Some experts here, however, are in
clined to believe that instead OF at
tempting % make Nish, for which their
chances are only slightly better than
the Germans. the Anglo-French troops
will leave the Serbians 70 fight their
own battles in the mountains, While
with quick rush for Sofia, they dis
pose OF Bulgaria.
See New Move Against Turks.
a move against Bulgaria, il IL
pointed out. while IL would have to be
made by large forces. would also more
directly affect the fortunes of the Gal
lipol campaign, AS il would open up
flank attack on Constantinople by way
Of the Chatalia Peninsula.
From Salonica two railways project.
one going northward to Nish, the other
branching east and following the
Egean ,ittoral to Dedeaghatch. from
whence il runs directly 70 CONSTANT
nnople. Practically the whole Of the
Bulgarian portion is within from five
20 ten miles of the seacoast, IL is
pointed out, and could be dominated
by the guns Of Entente wsrships, while
Dedeagha,ch and other Bulgarian sea
ports could be seized and made con
tributing bases FOR the campaign
against the Turkish capital.
The official announcement OF the
blockade of this coast, as given out by
the official Press Bureau to-day, Is as
follows:
"The vice-sdmiral commanding the
Eastern Mediterranean squadron OF the
Allied fleets has declared blockad oi
the Bulgarian coast in the Egean S,s.
commencing from a. m. on the 10th
inst.
"Forty-eight hours grace from the