New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-23
British Foreign Office
Receives Answer
of King.
ALLIES SHELL
BULGAR PORT
Warships Bombard De-
deaghatch and Coast for
Thirty Miles.
SERB PERIL GROWING
Bulgarians Near Uskub and
Fortify Salonica Road
Against Attack.
SERB PERIL GROWING
tBy cshis 20 To rr,huns J

caution has withstood the Allies, and
King Constantine's government, by
declining the offer of Cyprus and
other British inducements. terri
torial and financial, has shown itself
definitely unwilling to put itself in
the path of the Teuton- -Bulgar
menace in the Balkans.
The reply of Greece TO the offer
Of the Entente Powers reached the
Foreign Office tonight, and while it
has not been made public, il is be
lieved that King Constantine and
Premier Zaimis base their refusal
to return TO the alliance with Serbia
on the ground Of the uncertainty Of
Allied triumph.
This new defeat for Entente
diplomacy. not altogether unexpect-
ed, is but a new reflection, in the
opinion of observers here. Of the
general weakness of the Allies mill
tary position in the Near East.
Only through a decisive victory, or
proof of the ability to win one. these
observers maintain, could Greek or
Rumanian cooperation be secured.
Instead, all the Allies could show
at Athens or Bucharest was a fruit
less period of seven months at the
Dardanelles and a landing at SAL
onica, which in the eyes of the Greek
General staff, promises to be as
hazardous and uncertain as that at
Galipoli. The Allies were not even
able to promise that the Balkan
countries would not be overrun in
turn by the forces of the Central
Powers or their Bulgar and Turk
allies.
Serb Danger Undiminished.
Especially is this failure emphasized
By the present peril Of Serbia, whose
fate now depends on the arrival Of
allied aid, en- route somewhere from
Salonica. While the Germans arc stead
lily pushing on from the north, the Bull
garians are firmly establishing them
selves across the southern lines % COM
munication, from which each day will
make it harder for the Allies 70 dis
lodge them.
Already several Bulgarian divisions
are reported as being rushed into
Kumanovo, the capture OF which was
announced yesterday, 20 tor,ify the
town against allied assault. while other
divisions are advancing rapidly on
Uskub in order 10 close the last re-
naming avenue OF communication.
Berlin reports that south Of Strum-
nitza troops of the expedtionary force
have been driven across the Vardar
River by the Bulgarians. but whether
this is a definite repulse for those sent
to aid the Serbians, or merely local
action Of the border, is not disclosed.
Not since the fateful days Of the re-
treat from Mons, when every hour was
expected 20 bring the news Of the an
Inhalation OF General French's small
command, has the tenseness OF stu
alton been felt so keenly Every one is
fully alive to the serioSness of Ser
bias plight. and the grave issues that
hang upon Balkan victory or de-
feat,and until word is received
that the French and British have come
in contact with the Bulgarians, or at
least begun to move, there will be little
relief
While the Salon!es operations are
thus hidden, the Allies have begun
their attack on the Bulgarian coast.
telegram from Athens tonight an
nouncing that Entente warships had
bombarded Dedcaghateh and the shore
10 Porto Lagos. distance OF thirty
eight miles. Sofia asserts no damage
was done.
No bulletin Of the engagement has
been given out BY the Press Bureau
here, but. in the absence Of any. IL Is
assumed that the attack has the double
object Of destroying the railroad 20
Constantinople, which parallels the
coast. and Of covering the landing OF
Allied troops TO operate against the
Bulgarian port.
Mackensen still Unchecked.
The Austro-German advance eontin-
ues slowly, Berlin announcing the es-
t-blishing Of new line from Arnayevo
to Slatina Mountain and from Salevac
TO Sayinoyac and Trnoyae, IN the Nor
ava Valley, 20 the north Of Ranoyae
To cope with this, Nish processes full
confidence and announces the inaleting
OF losses Of $4,000 OF The invaders
The menace comes rather from the Bull
garlans, who have now established
themselves on the Nish -Salonica rail
road for . distance Of thirty mllss and