New-York tribune., 1915-12-11
German Troops in
GievgeIi French
Admit Retreat.
BULGARS TAKE
20 BRITISH GUNS
Allies RedOuble Pressure
on Greece-Seek Free
Hand at SalOniCa.

London, Dec. l0.-The Allies have
been driven from their positions
along the Vardar back into Greek
territory, according to Salonica ad-
vices received here tonight.
Confronted by superior forces of
Bulgars and Germans, and threat
ened by an outfanking movement
from Petrovo, they have withdrawn
down the railway.
Berlin asserts that the whole of
Serbian territory has now been freed
of Entente troops, and Paris admits
that the retirement may proceed as
far as Salonica itself.
A Reuter- dispatch from Salonica
says:
at &c reliably reported here that
German forces under General von
Gallwitz occupied Gievgeli, on the
railway line a short distance north
of the Greek frontier, in Serbia, Fri
day morning. The force includes
two divisions"
London Is Pessimistic.
The position of the Allied forces
in Greece furnishes the chief subject
for discussion in the London morn
ing newspapers. Optimistic official
statements failed to persuade the
press and the public that the situa-
ton is not serious. 1t is generally
admitted that no alternative to the
of the Allied forces to
Salonica exists, and some papers,
notably "The Weekly Nation" goes
so far as to advocate reembarkatlon
Of the troops while freedom of move
ment is still possible rather than to
risk the possibilities due to the per-
picking attitude of the Greek gov
THE Bulgarian government has pro-
,osad 70 Greece the creation of neu-
tral zone on the Grecian, Serbian and
frontiers whereby both
would be compelled TO hold
their troops At rife shot distance from
the frontier" says the Sofia CORE
spondent of the Berlin "Lokal Anz-
eieer." ut is expected that Greece
will accept the proposal"
Both the British and the French
forces. who are we'll supplied with ar
tillerv and machine guns. engaged IN a
four-day battle. in which they inflicted
very heavy losses on the Bulgarians
who fought with desperation and the
greatest courage. Attack after attack
was repulsed. but the Bulgarians still
came on and each evening the Allies
fell back to new positions, where events
of the day before were repeated.
French Admit Retreat.
The statement of the French War
Office, admitting the retirement IS as
follows: ..
Army of the Orient.-As soon as 1t
was demonstrated that the Junction
that had been attempted with the
right wing OF the Serbian army was
no longer feasible, the commander
decided to evacuate the advance po-
sitions occupied by our troops on the
"erna River and toward Krivolak.
The successive man@uvres connect
ed with the falling back were carried
out methodically and without any
great difficulty, Notwithstanding the
fact that the Bulgarians attacked us
several times.
A a consequence of violent fight
ing on tn, St. and 9th inst, during
which the Bulgarians were repulsej
and suffered heavy losses. we have,
il connection with the British troops,
occupied new front, extending ap-
proximately toward the River Bo-
jimis.
The Bulgarians appear 10 be relax
ng their pursuit OF the Serbians into
he interior of Albania, and have con-
very considerable forces,
With the object of obtaining possession
II the line from Demir hapu 70 Chew
yei. ~
The Rulgar base is at lshtip. /
whence large forces have been sent 10
From this point violent
,ttacks have been directed against Kos
urino on the front held by the Brit I
sh. who are hastily intrenching on /
he Bogovitch heights, north of Doiran. +
The Bulgarian object appears to be to
pierce the British line in order 70 seize
Station. The allied hospi- 4
ais at Gevgeli have been evacuated.
Germans May Cross Frontier.
The question now arises whether the
Bulgarians and Germans will follow
he Allies across the Greek frontier
and what attitude the Greek govern
nent will adopt King Constantine has
promised to use his army TO protect
In, retiring force il they undertake TO
reimbark. and has shown his good faith
py preventing Bulgarian raiding bands
from destroying the Allies communi-
cations, but il is doubtful whether the
Allies will agree TO evacuate Salonica,
which. under the guns Of their ships,
would provide a good defensive posi-
ton and base from which other oper-
atoms could be undertaken.
II is on this point that negotiations
between Greece and the Entente Al
lies are now proceeding, and the feel
ing here and at Paris and Rome is
Continued on page !, column q