Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-11
Retreat Is Admitted But
New Line Is Said to
Be Much Stronger
RJJLGARIANS ARE
PRESSING ATTACK
Berlin Report Says Serbia
Has Been Cleared Of
All It's Defenders


nv reinforced and well supported by
artillery, are renewing violently theil
attack on the Franco-British forces IN
Macedonia. Their assault is now ap
preaching the climax of intensity
Although pursuit of the Serbians
continues, it Is apparent the major
part of the Bulgarian army has al
verted It's attention to the allies. This
battle will determine in great mea
sure the Immediate future for the en-
tente powers in the Balkans.
Numerical superiority Of the Bull
garian forces already has been dem
onstrated and doubts are expressed
here as to the ability of the British
forces to repel the increasing mo
mentum of the Bulgarian attack
There is no indication, however, that
the British or French have yet found
1t necess ry to withdraw further than
the posi-, ons mentioned in recent
communil auons.
with the Bulgarians in their posi-
tions at Demir.Kapu and advancing
west OF vardar In the neighbrohood
OF Petrovo, south of Strumitza sta
ton the French wedge In Macedonia
is threatened from both sides. The
allied retreat toward the Greek border
thus far has been accomplished IN
good order without serious losses.
Hard fighting continues on the west
ern front. where the Germans have
been compelled to relinquish all but
a small part Of the advanced trench
captured by them east Of Butte de
SOuain.
Newspapers Worried.
All the morning newspapers COM
ment on what they characterize as the
grave situation Of the entente forces
in Serbia. The Saloniki correspond
ent Of the Chronicle, describing the
Bulgarian attacks, says:
"Fairly important Bulgarian forces
are engaged In the fighting which
much more resembles that of previous
Balkan wars than the operations now
familiar In France and Flanders. The
country is rough and mountainous,
and naists greatly facilitate what Is
really guerilla warfare. On different
occasions suddenly lifting mist has
left the Bulgarians in a very exposed
position close to the British front,
which has allowed the British Maxims
to get into action and inflict heavy
losses. believe that the withdrawal
and alteration Of the allied line has
given up nothing Of material import
ance but was undertaken in order to
strengthen the line and place the
troops in less exposed positions dur.
ing the cold weather
Austrians Win Ground.
Vienna announces the successful
continuance Of operations against both
the serbians and the Montenegrins
with the capture Of more, than 1000
prisoners.
Austrian troops have been heavily
counter attacking the Italians and
have captured part Of the Italian po-
sition near Dole, northwest Of Tol-
mino. Vienna reports. Renewed at,
tacks by the Italians against the de.
lenses Of Gorilla have been fruitless,
1t Is declared.
Constantinople announces that the
British expeditionary forces in Meso-
potamia is offering less vigorous re-
sistance to the Turkish attacks. Brit
ish sorties have been repulsed with
heavy losses, 1t is claimed.
A recent British official announce
ment was made that reinforcements
were arriving at the front for General
Townshend's army which retreated
down the Tigris from Bagdad after
the battle of Ctesiphon.
Sinking of the Danish steamer
Minsk, of 1929 tons, is reported by
London. Her crew was saved.