The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-12-24
CLAIMS AUSTRIAN SUB
ONLY ODEYED ORDERS
AUSTRIA CLAIMS COMMANDER
WOULD BE GUILTY OF NEGLECT
IF FAILED TO SINK ANCoNA.
British COMMANDER RETIRES
Sir John French, Commander in
France and Flanders, Relinquishes
IN Favor of Younger Man-On
All War Fronts, Etc.

The AuStrO-Hungarian admiralty, II
is said, is entirely opposed to any dis
aVowal of the course of the submarine
commander who was responsible for
the sinking of the Italian steamer An.
coma. On the contrary, 1t approves
his conduct fully, and declares that he
wOHld have been considered as hav-
ing failed to perform his duty if he
had allowed the AnCona to escape.
The reply to the American note, it
is understood, will be delivered this
week.
Field Marshal Sir John French who,
at his own request, has been relieved
OF the command of the British forces
in France and Flanders, has been sue
Ceeded BY General Sir Douglas Haig.
Since the landing of the expeditionary
force, Sir Douglas Haig has command
ed the first army and has been repeat
eddy mentioned in dispatches by his
chief, whose place he now takes
Sir John French becomes eomman-
der in chief Of the armies in the Unit
ed Kingdoms. and for his sixteen
months service at the front has been
created a'1isC0unt of the United King
LA Latest News From DslsEss*Fronts.
There is more. boDRfnI feeling in
London with regard to the Balkan op-
erations now thaEit is definitely an
nounCed that the Italians have effect
cd a landing%on the Albanian coast
and that the AngIo-French force,
which has fallen back toward Saloniki,
has been strongly reinforced with men
and munit5a8s, INCLUDING some heavy
naval wsabons.;;"
The IT big battle will in all prob
ability fought in Greece, despite
the effdsts of the Hellenic king and
government to save their country
from the horrors of war.
The British and French forces have
made gPd their retirement from the
Yardar valley and are now at Saloniki,
where endorsements are being land.
ed, whilS reports received in Paris and
Rome S " that the Bulgarians have
crossed Che Greek frontier in pursuit.
The reports Of such action by the Bull
garians is thought will provoke the
Greeks.
Greece's situation automatically
has been complicated by the inquiry
from Germany asking whether the
Athens cabinet does not look upon the
use OF Greek territory by the entente
allies as a breach Of her neutrality,
and this inquiry is considered to fore
shadow German participation in the
pursuit.
Although Outnumbered ten to one
by the Bulgarians, who were we'll SUP.
piled with ammunition and guns, the
British forces in Serbia have been
able to recross the Greek frontier.
and now are said to have an open
pathway before them back to their
base at S&loniki.
Advices from Athens are that the
creek loops in the region which the
ehtentea allies must use in their on
erations have been withdrawn, and
tAat the zone between saloniki and
Dioran is now open and, free for their
movement. In addition, it is said that
as noes which are regarded as sat
IS ry have been given personally
eyN4Hing Constantine to the entente
~ tiers in Athens.
accounts vary as to the losses suf.
fered by the British during the re.
treat.
Berlin officials announce that an. +
Preximately two British divisions were
annihilated. Other reports have in.
dicated that the withdrawal was be-
ng effected in an orderly manner and
without heavy casualty.
Two companies of the Royal Innis
AEiiea Fusiliers at one point held back
tAe Bulgars for hours while their com.
rades took up new position but were
virtually exterminated in their yaliant
effort. 'l""'
The remains of the Serbian army
are still resisting the Austriaps and
Bulgarians in Albania, while the Ans
trsaRs making very slow progress Is
orts to ovorwhelm Monte.
Re heavy fighting continues
iitisp~ official report says that
sae TURKISH attacks at Kutel,Amata: |.
where British reinforcements are ar :
irving, Fave been repulsed. The At. !
lacks were made from all sides hnt }
he British position was so strong that $
ne Turks we're unable to make anv
impression on it.
On tho other hand, there have bean
10 battles of great magnitude ArNL.
cry bombardments aldsost exclusive. e
: On the French, Russian and Ausfros a
Italian lines. a
Only small actions have taken place
a the east and west FONTS. On ths
al III 4