The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-22

London, Dec. 2f.-Russian warships
have resumed the bombardment of
Narna, the principal Bulgarian Black
sea port. preparatory to an attempt
to land troops for an invasion Of Bul-
garia. Sixteen transports are reported
to have arrived off the Bulgar3Au
coast. One dispatch says the Smelling
of Varna was undertaken by a RUS
sian cruiser and two torpedo boat de-
stroyers. while another boat speaks Of
large Russian squadron.
The first dispatch announcing the
new naval action against the Bull.
garian port comes from Athens and
was az follows:
"A Russian cruiser and two destroy
ers. which are conveying sixteen trans
ports Allied with troops. have arrived
OFF the Bulgarian coast. and are bonn
harding Earna VIGOROUSLY
late message, received by the
Paris Temps via Berne, said:
"A large Russian squadron il barn.
harding the Bulgarian port Of varna.'
Near Rumanian Border.
Farna lies only a few miles south Of
the Rumanian border, and ID an i'm.
pertant railroad terminus. 1t IL strong
ly fortified, the Balgarians havtng
strengthened the cost defense works
considerably since the war began.
Varna has been repeatedly lombard.
ed by the Russians since Bulxaria
Joined the central empires At nna
time, about a month ago, warshtps
which then shelled the port were
said to be conveying a large COM
tingent of troops for landing purpos4s.
Nothing came of the Commandment,
however.
A successful landing of Russian
troops and subsequent drive into the
interior of King Ferdinand's kinEdom
would compel the bulk. II not all, =
the Bulgarian forces now at the Greek
frontier to abandon Macedonia for
the defense of their own country.
This would leave the German forceo
now threatening an invasion of Greece
TO drive the allies from Salonica aiones
and thus greatly reduce the danger OF
a violation of Greek territory.
May BE En- Route to- Salonlca.
The renewed Smelling OF Varna has
given rise to the belief here that the
allied forces withdrawn from Galli-
poll Peninsula may be on the way to
Salonica. to reinforce the Franco
British expedition in the event OF :
Russian invasion of Bulgaria
On the other hand, the force from
the Dardanelles. ii is believed, would
enable the Anglo-French troops at
Salonica to march northeastward into
6Htgaria TO cut the Orient line sin1-
nitaneousiy with the contem plated
Russian attack from the coast
II was announced yesterday that
Russia had given up the plan to cut
through Rumania and attack Bull
saria, and that the Russian forces for
some time concentrated in Bessarabia
had been withdrawn 1t was added
that these Russian forces were to
launch a new offensive in the Buko.
wilma to try to infllct a decisive defeat
on the Austrians.
Concentrate Against Bulgars.
In view OF todays reports of a new
attack on Narna and the statement
that the bombarding warships convoy
sixteen troop ships, it is thought more
likely that both Russia and the Allies
are about to concentrate for the pres
emit on joint attack on Bulgaria
The Frankfurter Zeitung today re-
ported n clash between Greek ana
French forces in Fort karaburna,
(which dominated Sa1onica. The re-
port is that Greek gunners in the fort,
opened fire on French detachment
because 1t failed to halt at the sentrysa
call. and the French were put 70
flight
Your Rome correspondent tele.
graphs:
"A special train composed Of saloon
cars is held i'm readiness at Rrindisf
ton the Italian Adriatic coastl. ops
poslte AlhaGla. awaiting the arrival
- King Peter. OF Serbia, which Is ex-i
pected shortly. as the result Of imss
pending events and unforeseen develops
men in Albania -