Evening star., 1915-12-11
CAPTURE OF GIEvGELl
CLAIMED AND DENIED
Allied Negotiations With Greece
Seem No Nearer Set.
tlement.
SOME DECISION HELD VITAL
Considered Of Primary Importance
That Saloniki Be Occupied
as Base for Future
Operations.

PARIS, December II, s:ao
p.m.-France and Great Britain
decided today to continue the
Campaign in the Balkans and
agreed on military measures de-
signed to assure the security OF
the expeditionary forces which
landed at Saloniki.
LONDON, December 1.-THE
latest news from the Balkans in
dlcates that the allies are still fall
ing back, but without suffering
the losses endured on the first
days of the retreat, when the pur-
suing Bulgarians attacked rear
guards repeatedly. Paris reports
that in these actions the French
inflicted heavy losses on the pur-
suers by their artillery fire.
The British public received a
shock in the form of a Saloniki
dispatch stating that GievgeH
had been occupied by. two divis-
ions of German troops. Later re-
ports, however, state that this i'm
portant position is not yet within
the range of the invaders guns.
Gievgeli is on the Greek frontier
near the Nardar river. and com
mands the railroad north from
Saloniki.
Bulgars. Fight Fiercely.
Both the British and the Freneh
forces. who are well supplied with
artillery and machine guns, engaged in
four-day battle in which they in
fiicted very heavy losses on the Bull
garians. who fought with desperation
and the greatest courage. Attack after
attack was repulsed, but the Bulgar-
ians still came on and each evening
the allies fell back to new positions,
where events Of the day before were
repeated.
Greek Reply Is Deemed Vital.
The diplomatic negotiations with
Greece seem no nearer settlement. al
though the retreat of the allied troops
makes, some definite reply from Athens
hourly more vital. In military circles
it is considered of primary importance
that Saloniki be retained as base for
future operations, even though the al
lied troops are forced to take refuge
under the guns of the fleet. 1t is gen.
orally conceded the present forces of
the allies are inadequate to cope with
Bulgaria and the central powers. whose
tied to Premier Radoslavof of Bull
garia, now number 100000 men.
French View of Situation.
1T is probable that all the allied
forces will retire to Grecian territory
says Lieut.. Col. Leonce Rousset, mill
tary critic Of La Liberte of Paris. "The
tion, which was to aid the Serbians. no
longer exists. The other aim is to
guard the base at Saloniki
The withdrawal of the French and
British troops should not be regarded
as of great Importance. 1t is forced,
by circumstances. The only error is
that it began too late. II is to be
with sufficient rapidity. in order that
the initial error may be repaired.
'Once intrenched at Saloniki, the
allies can await in virtually complete
security the reinforcements which
must be sent. as well as better OPP
portunity to resume operations. which
the present weakness. due to unfortu-
nate and irreparable hesitations, does
not permit of continuing today.
Berlin Report on Retreat.
The retreat of the British and French
expedition in Serbia is being conducted
with great difficulty, according to Ber-
lin advices. Their main force haa
been unable to disengage itself and
retreat unhampered, leaving only rear
guards behind to delay their pursuers.
Instead Of permitting them to do this
the Bulgarian and Teuton troops are
ma inta lining the closest touch with
their retiring foe. who is. therefore.
forced to retire, fighting at every step.
This, ii is reported in Berlin, explains
the loss of six British guns south Of
Strumitsa.
Monastir Is Quiet.
A dispatch from the Saloniki cores
pondent of the Athens PATHS received
here says that Monastir is quiet, the
command having been taken
over by a German officer and Ephriam
Rizoff having been appointed mayor.
There are now more than 10000 Serb
Ian refugees in Greece, the dispatch
adds.
Greece Will DemoboIiIize