Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-19
NEW TEUTONIC THRUST
IN THE EAST REPORTED
100000 Soldiers Now in Balkans
Not Expected to Stay
Idle Long.
ALLIED FRONT STATIONARY
Athens Attributes Halt of Bulears
and Germans on Greek Border
to Enormous Losses
Sustained.

LONDON, december lS.-l he
week end finds the war situation
bearing the outward appearance
OF comparative quietude. but if
all current reports were true. the
Germans would be preparing Of
fensive movements in all direc-
tions-in Belgium and France. in
Greece, against Egypt. on the
Riga -Dvinsk front and in Galicia.
British military critics believe,
however. that the central powers
have not enough available re-
serves for an offensive move
ment on more than one
front. In fact, it is frequent
ly argued in England that
the central powers are approach
ing the last stratum of reserves
in men, and must make a de-
termined effort to obtain VIC
tory over one of their enemies.
Situation in the East.
There is no lack of food for specula.
tion. particularly on the eastern front.
which now virtually stretches across
two continents from north Russia to
south Persia. In the extreme north
there have been unofficial reports that
the promised new German thrust be-
tween Riga and Dvinsk has already be-
gun. but neither Berlin nor Petrograd
confirms this in the official communica-
tions
Five hundred miles further south the
Russians believe they have checked an
other enemy attempt to resume the Of
fensive in Galicia.
100000 Men in Balkans.
In the Balkan zone the first chapter
is closed, but with more than 1000, 900
men of a dozen different nations un-
der arms it is not likely that the cam
paign will long maintain a state Of
quiet. On the fringes of the Balkans
there is promise of new annoyances
for the Bulgarians and Germans in the
Italian operations through Albania
and the Russian concentration in Bes-
sarabia.
Meanwhile in the so-caIled middle
east Grand Duke Nicholas advance to
Hamadan brings strong Russia forces
to within about 200 miles of Ba :sdad,
and it is believed in the entente capi-
tails that his operations will put new
life and new Importance into the Brit
ish operations in south Persia, alter
the recent setback.
Along the Greek Border.
The situation on the Greek border is
surrounded with the most obscurity.
The complications. which diplomacy
has recently been dealing with. are be-
lieved to be in a fair way of settlement.
The Greek elections tomorrow appear
not likely to be serious factor in the
situation. as the refusal of the follow
ers of ex-Premier Nenizelos to partici-
pate will leave small chance for the
elections to cause change in Greek
policy But the threat of German
advance into Greece continues and pro-
vides numerous possibilities for up
sets.
Allied Front Stationary.
A dispatch to Reuters Telegram
Company from Saloniki states that the
entente allies front remains station
ary The Bulgarians show no DISPOSE
tion to invade Greek territory and
there are no signs of Austro-German
activity. The prevailing opinion is
that the Bulgarians will hesitate to en-
ter Greece, while the Austro- Germans
are unprepared for an offensive. IL in
deed they contemplate such move.
Losses Blamed for Halt.
The Anglo-French forces in northern
Greece are continuing their retirement
ties in Athens are said to attribute the
halt in Serbian territory to the enor-
nous losses sustained by Field Mar
of Bulgaria. The Germans and Bull
yarians are working diligently to re-
pair the Serbian railroads.
Gievgeli Reported Pillaged.
According to Bulgarian deserters ar
living at Saloniki it ds reported from
here to the Havas correspondent at
Athens. Gievgeli was pillaged by Bull
,arian troops, which afterward retired
our miles from the town in fear of
by the allies.
Fortification of the heights of Chalet
lice and Presaue. Isle has been begun
" the allies, the dispatch adds.
The Athens correspondent of Reuters
telegram company lOT tu0
tatement that the Greek government
as lodged a formal protest with the
ntente powers against the fertilization
# Saloniki by the allied forces n
German Representations.
The German minister's visit TO
Skouloudis yesterday is said
" the press to have had reference to
he defensive works that the entente
lilies are preparing in Macedonia, in
he vicinity of Saloniki," says Havas
ispatch from Athens under date OF
december II.
THE minister represented these
CONTINUED on Nineteenth Pags.)