Evening star., 1915-12-18
ATTACK NOW DEPENDS
ON PREPARING FORCES
Additional Men and Better EQUIP
ment Declared Necessary to
an Offensive.
GREECE TAKES FIRM STAND
Premier Declares That Under No
Circumstances Will Bulears Be
Allowed to Put Foot on
Hellenic Soil,

LONDON. December I8.-The
threat that the German minister
at Athens is said to have made to
the effect that Germany would be
compelled to take action to drive
out the allies at Saloniki if the
fortihcation of that base contin-
ued brings the Balkan develop
ment step nearer a crisis. How
soon the Austro-Germans cross
the Greek frontier will apparently
depend upon how soon they are
able to collect sufficient troops.
The Posts Athens correspond
ent says that the fact that an at
tack upon Saloniki has not yet
begun is attributed in diplomatic
circles to the necessity in which
the Germans finds themselves OF
concentrating sufficient forces, re-
pairing communications destroyed
by the Anglo-French and Serbians
and the bringing up Of sufficient
supplies of munitions. but that
the moment they have made these
preparations the attack will be
begun and pushed home.
Total German Strength.
Dispatches to the Daily Mail. from
Athens estimate the total available
German forces at 100000 men, who.
however. are fatigued by continuous
mountainous marching, and states that
it is reported the intended German re-
Inducements have been diverted to
Rustchuk to meet an expected Russian
menace.
According to the Athens Embros, the
ministerial organ, the Greek govern
ment will address a fresh protest to
the entente powers against fortifying
Saloniki.
Whether the Bulgarians also win.
cross the border is vital question to
the Greeks. 1t is believed a Bulgarian
advance would rekindle old enemities
and might draw the Greek people into
the conflict
Greek Election Tomorrow.
The Greek general election will be
held tomorrow. but it is not expected
the result will have any controlling
influence on the policy of the govern
ment.
The party of former Premier Venizo.
los has refrained from putting candi-
dates into the field and the soldiers
under arms. constituting large pro-
,f = o14
King Constantine remains indsposed
According to the Athens correspond
ent of the Times the German minister
at Athens told Premier Skouloudis the
Germans would be compelled to attack
the British and French forces Premier
Skouloudis rejoined that in no case
would Greece allow Bulgarian troops
to set foot on Greek SOIL
Italians May Prove Factor.
The landing of Italian forces in Al
bania is likely to prove an important
factor. as the Italians may be able to
attach themselves to the remainder of
the Serbian army for concerted action.
The Sofia tBulgaria) correspondent Of
The Cologne Gazette has sent the fol-
lowing dispatch to his paper:
'ln interview NJ. Radosla voff the
Bulgarian premier, said that the de-
of the neutral zone (on the
serbo-Greek frontier) is making good
is promises and that whenever parties
IF Bulgarian and Greek troops meet
he relations are most friendly. He
ldded that the Bulgarians would only
light against the entente allies on
Sreek territory with the guarantee to
ireece that the Bulgarians would not
occupy SaIoniki, but would Withdraw
,ehind the Bulgarian frontier after ao-
their task
Greek Position Explained.
A dispatch from Athens to the Ex-
hange Telegraph Company states that
he newspaper Kiroi says that Premier
and Minister of the Interior
;ounaris yesterday visited the German
minister and explained to him that the
ntry into Greece of German and Bull
arian troops. especially the Bull
arians, would raise questions which
night well place Greece In position
t difficulties.
Situation Stationary.
The Saloniki correspondent OF the
aris Temps, writing under date OF
,e 18th, concerning the fighting along
,e Serbo Greek frontier, says that the
tn alton is stationary. He continues:
..The French and English troops have
,ttled north of Saloniki. and intrench-
10 is being carried on vigorously. The
ulgarians continue inactive at the
erbo-Greek frontier. Their number is
,timated at 100000. 1t Is confirmed
lat. the Greek and Bulgarian govern
Ients are in accord to create neutral
me a mile and a quarter wide, on
,cif side of the boundary line. so as
, avoid incidents between the pickets
! the two armies
Situation at Saloniki.
DISPATCHES received by the entsnts
rmy officers at Saionikt req trt the ar