New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-20
Big Battle Expected
South of Monastir
with British Troops.
EARL KITCHENER
GOES TO ATHENS
British War Secretary at
Salonica COnfers with
General Sarrail.
IBy Csble 70 The Trlhune. ]

Of Monastir, which seems to be def
nitely confirmed to-day by a dis
patch to the Rome "Trihuna" from
Athens, the attitude of the Greek
government toward the retreating
Serbs, now nearing the border, be-
comes the outstanding feature Of
the Balkan situation.
To consider this question, Lord
Kitchener, who arrived at Salonica
to-day, conferred with General Sar-
rail, the French commander in chief
in the Orient, and with General
Monro. Immediately after the con-
ference the British War Secretary
left without debarking, and Salon.
lea report puts his next destination
az Athens.
Reports from Berlin Of the growth
of disaffection among the Greek
troops are accepted here as indica-
tions that the army is more loyal to
the people and the Constitution than
to King Constantine. A corps OF
gendarmes, composed principally Of
Cretans, stationed in New Greece, is
said to have declared openly for ex-
Premier Venizelos, and other troops
are also affected. The government
is reported to be considering the es-
tablishment Of martial law.
The newspaper "Epoca," Of Buch-
Arrest, asserts that Austrian and
German troops have landed on the
Rumanian island Of Hurawai, in the
Danube River, and that they are
placing mines in the river and
watching the movements Of the Ru-
manian troops. The "Epoca" asks
why the Rumanian government
takes no action in the matter.
Serbs Position Desperate.
The position of the Serbs con
tinues to grow more dsperate, and
Berlin to-day claims the capture of
5000 from the retreating northern
army, while the Bulgarians are
pushing the southern rewnant tow
ard the Greek frontier.
II is thought possible that the
Serbians will make a stand on the
historic plain Of Kossovo, east Of the
Montenegrin frontier, where over
five hundred years ago they lost
their independence to Turkey. They
must either do this or retire into the
mountains Of Montenegro or North
ern Albania, whore a guerilla war
fare can be kept up for months, or
an Italian army can come to their
rescue.
Around Monastir indications are
that a big battle will develop In the
next few days, as British troops
scme time ago took up positions just
south of the city. The Serbs re-
treating in this vicinity are also re-
norted 10 number about oo,oov'
AGAINST the 10000 pursuing Bull
gars.
Fear Uprising at Monsstir.
IT.. military governor Of Monastir is
..rorted TO have appointed commit
20. Of notables TO preserve order. but IL
il feared that it will be impossible to
restrain the bands Of comitajii, even
with the Bulgars in occupation, who
are in the enyirons of the city.
To the east, in the extreme southern
portion Of the mountain kingdom, the
have been on the offensive
against the French in the vicinity OF
Strumnitza, but, according to Paris,
they we're repulsed with heavy casual
ties. Nothing is known of the opera
tions OF the British in the southern re-
gion against the Bulgarians.
The Rome "Corriere della Sera"
draws attention 10 the almost complete
disappearance of Greek shipping from
Italian ports, which 1t considers omi-
nous.
The same journal publishes statistics
Of German corruption in Rumania,
where Germany spent on the press
alone 22,000,000 francs, and is said to
have offered one journalist a fee Of
$4,000 francs and salary OF 5000
francs monthly to address public meet
ings. Barristers are said to pocket 20
francs daily by simply sitting in the
cafes and magnifying German victories.
Advices from Vienna to the Cologne
Gazette" report that the Austro-hun-
garian government threatens to take
reprisals against the Serbians because
of the horrible treatment being accord
ed to Austro- Hungarian prisoners.
Wounded Herded in Cars.
Wounded and sick officers and sol.
diers are said to be transportee
through the country in cattle cars
while in one town many prisoners VINO
could have been saved died simply be-
cause the physicians did not take care
Of them.