New-York tribune., 1915-12-15
Athens Expects Teu-
ton Demand to
Follow Allies.
BULGARS ASSERT
FRENCH CUT OFF
But Salonica Hears En-
tente Retreat Is Success
ful-DefenCeS Ready.

London. Dec. Il. - The next big
battle will in all probability be
fought in Greece, despite the efforts
of the Hellenic King and govern
ment to save their country from the
horrors of war.
The British and French forces
have made good their retirement
down the Vardar Valley and are
now approaching Salonics, where
relnforcements are being landed.
The Bulgar pursuit stopped at the
border.
Sofia also claims that the Bulga-
rian troops have broken through the
Anglo-French line and cut off the
French forces from the British. Ac-
cording to an official statement, dat
ed December II, received here to
day, a long section Of the French
front was taken by storm, the
French forces suffering heavy losses.
Pursuit Of the Allied troops, the re-
port says, continues.
In describing the retreat of the
French and British forces in the
Balkans, the Bulgarian official state
ment says that $4,000 French and
5000 British, with coo field guns,
l5C mountain guns and so heavy
howitzers, were engaged. The oper-
ations along the Vardar and IA
ressu occupied ten days, and at.
their conclusion, continues the state
ment, not a single hostile soldier re-
mained on Macedonian soil. The
parsuit Of the British and French
was then Immediately stopped.
Greece Gets German Demands.
Greece's situation automatically has
been complicated by the request Of
Germany to know whether the Athens
Cabinet does not look upon the use Of
Greek territory by the Entente Allies
as breach Of her neutrality, and this
inquiry is considered to foreshadow
German participation in the pursuit.
However, it is not believed here that
the Germans have many troops in that
part OF the Balkans, their man forces
having been diverted 20 Rustchuk when
the Russian threat Of an invasion Of
Bulgaria seemed likely Of fulflment,
and that therefore the Entente troops
for the present only have to fear the
Bulgarians, as the Austrisns are still
being occupied in Montenegro and Al
banis, where the Montenegrins and
Serbisns are keeping up a stubborn re-
sistance.
II has again been reported that the
Italians have landed an army on the
Albanian coast to go 10 the assistance
Of the Serbs and Montenegrins.
Reuters correspondent at Athens
says German diplomats already have
taken steps which are likely to add con-
siderably TO Greece's difficulties, IL
pressed
1t is announced unofficially at Athens,
the correspondent continues, that Ger
many has asked Greece whether the
new facilities afforded the Allies COM
promise Greek neutrality in any way
Situation Is Delicate.
No official communication has been
issued thus far at Athens regarding the
exchange Of views between German
and Greek diplomats, but Greek off,
cials admit the situation is becoming
more delicate. The correspondent be-
lieves, however, that Germany does not
desire to bring matters 10 head, rec
ognizlng the fact that Greece is con-
fronted with exceptional circumstances.
In later dispatch the correspondent
says Il is expected in Athens that de-
mand will be made for free passage
over Greek territory for the Bulgarian
and German forces which are pursuing
the Allied troops. 1t is said unofficially
in Athens that the Germans, IL they
aspire 70 the enjoyment OF the same
rights as the Allies in Greek territory,
probably will be allowed a free hand,
but that II Bulgarians cross the from
tier the situation Immediately will as
sumo different aspect, in the view OF
the Greek government.
Telegraphing from Salonics, "The
Times" correspondent says:
"The reported concentration OF large
enemy forces south Of Nonastir to-day
is authoritstively denied, and therefore
the Doiran-Gievgeli sector is the only
quarter from which an enemy advance
may be anticipated at present.
THE exclusion of Bulgarians from
the civil administration OF Mouastir is
now clearly seen 20 have been a pre-.
terce to allay Greek suspicious untii
the Serbian resistance was completely
broken and .he line Of the Greek poi
icy definitely known. IL now must oe
discarded. Monastir has been officially
declared BY the German Minister AZ
Sofia 10 be in the irrevocsble posses
sion Of Bulgaria. While purely Bull
4