New-York tribune., 1915-10-30
STRUMNITZA FELL
IN 3-DAY FIGHT
Franco British Forces
Press On 20 Miles Into
Bulgar Territory.
RUMANIA WAVERING
Germans Concentrate on From.
tier on Report Russian Troops
10 Cross TO Serbia.


London. Oct. 29.-Again Serbia
has been caught in the iull tide OF
the Teuton-Bulgar drive. and more
of her defences, vital if Nish and
tie Constantinople railway are 20 be
Cenied the invaders, have crumbled
under their onSlaughts. The Bulga-
rians. it .is reported. have recapt-
ured Veles.
Against this the Allies have coun-
tered by storming the Bulgarian
town of Strumnitza after a three
days fight. according to reliable in
formation from Athens tonight. and
advancing about twenty miles into
Bulgar territority. As the heights
Of Valandova, Rabrava and Tatar-
lisofre had previously been occupied
by the French, the fall Of the city
has been imminent ever since.
But the new advance Of Germany
and her allies, Bulgaria and Austria,
more than offset this slight gain.
Not only does the fall OF Prot. Of
iicially announced from Sofia to-day.
open a direct road Of only thirty five
miles 20 Nish from the Bulgarian
frontier. but by the capture of
Batacina. Lapovs and the heights
south of Svilajenac. which are the
bastions of the middle and narrower
Morava Valley, the Germans have
nearly pried open the door from the
north.
In even greater peril is the great
Serbian arsenal at Kraguyevatz, ly-
ing midway between the Danube and
Nish on a short spur Of the Orient
Railway. Where this branch line be
gins the town of Batacina is located,
and Batacina to-day was occupied by
Won Mackensen's forces.
Thus kraguyeyatz. the Woolwlch
Of Serbia, is shut off from all rail
communication, and the only exits
row open are across the mountain
roads 10 the southwark. connecting
with the Gaeck krusevac lateral Of
the Orient line, thirty miles distant.
Seek to Cut OF Serb Retreat.
Toward this Gaeck-Krusevac road
new Austrian force is now striking
from the Bosnian frontier and from
Nisegrad, almost on due line 10 the
west, with the object of cutting oil
the Serb retreat. Serbia sought to
counter this move by an invasion o.
Bosnia, but Vienna reports to-day
that the invaders have been thrown
beyond the frontier and are being
pursued.
To forestall the Serb retreat to the
west and their union with the Mon
tenegrins. the Austrians, after sew
eral months inaction. nave launched
new offensive against the noun
tain kingdom. But King Peter has
had plenty Of time to prepare for
such an emergency, and there is little
fear here that he will not be amply
able TO hold his own.
Indeed. the Austrians have not yet
been able 10 drive the Montenegrins
ou. Of their own territory, occupied
more than year ago. and until they
do there is little likelihood OF n seri-
Gus advance into the Black Mountains.
The Montenegrins, however. have
also renewed their attack. In Bosnia.
and a dispatch 70 the Rome "Tribuna"
from Scutari, Albania, says:
"Near Visegrad Bosnia the Monte
negrins have stormed the enemy's po-
sition near Susagors, which commands
the whole region, and established
themselves firmly. They inflicted heavy
loss on the enemy and took many pris-
oncrs."
Further delays seem 70 hold up the
Allies expeditionary force in the
south. The repor. that Uskub has been
recaptured as not confirmed.
Battle Near At Istib.
A big battle is also impending In the
neighborhood OF Istib. whers the Allies
have followed the Bulgars r-trest,ng
from Veles. The Bnlgar,sns are in
trenching themselves on the heights
around the town, but they have been
allowed so little respite In their retire
ment that little time for fortiheatiVn
is likely.
A Bulgar force operating In the va
ley of the lower Tlmok, between Ora
dovo and Strumnitza, has been cut o.s
and almost annihilsted say dispatches
from Athens ln view oi the rapid
retirement from Veles and other points
in Macedonia. tho report that the Bul
garians had occupied PriIrend Is also
very much doubted.
To reach PriErend. IL Is pointed ou',
: