New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-24
March on Egean May
Bring Country
Into War.
ALLIES CHECK
FOES ATTACKS
Serbs WreSt Offensive
from TeutOnS Near
Strupino.
tBy Cable 10 The Tribune.I

London, Aug. 23.-The Greeks are
preparing to resist in force the ad-
vance of the Bulgarians toward Seres
and Kavala. Before the pressure Of
Car Ferdinand's troops the Greeks
have fallen back, but they do not pur-
pose to permit Bulgarian advance to
the Egean without disputing it.
Again the followers of Venizelos are
leading the movement to force Con-
stantine's hand and bring about a
Greek alliance with the Entente pow
ers. Adherents Of the ex-Premier at
Salonica are organizing volunteers to
resist the Bulgars moving on Seres, ac-
cording to a Reuter- dispatch which
reached London tonight.
The commander at Seres, according to
this report, has called to the colors the
troops demobilized in accordance with
the demands made by the Allies last
spring. His proclamation declares that
the Bulgarians will soon be opposed.
Athens Skeptical of Pledges.
The Bulgarians are approaching
Seres, but have not entered the town
yet. Sofas envoy at Athens has given
assurances that neither Seres nor Ka-
vala will be occupied by Bulgarian
troops, but the advance in Macedonia
continues, and Athens is inclined 20 be
skeptical of Bulgar promises.
With the strong agitation of the
Venizelos party for participation in the
war on the side of the Allies, the
Bulgar threat may prove the final i'm
pulse that will drive Greece into tre
war. This, too, may force definite
action at length by Rumana.
A forecast of what decision Bu
cha-est will make and when she will
make it is unwise. The Allies, how
ever, are optimistic. Several times in
the last year Rumania was ready to
enter the conflict and reversed her de-
cision only because the complexion of
the war had changed. Balkan bargains
come high, as both sides have learned,
and they are never certain until they
are delivered.
Bulgar Attacks Checked.
The outstanding feature of the fight
ing on the Salonica front to-day was
the checking of the Bulgar counter
offensive against the Allied flanks
Both the assault on the Struma. where
Sarrail's outposts were driven back,
and west of Lake Ostrovo. on the left
wing, where the Serbs are holding the
line, have been halted.
Until this pressure on the fanks was
removed, further advance along the
Nish- Salonica railway was impossible.
The Allied forces have stormed the
southern slopes of the Veles noun
tains and have held their gains. THEIR
next thrust would carry with it an
element of danger unless the melace
to the hanks were removed.
Along the Struma the Bulgars have
intrenched along a line that parallels
the river. This move was evidently
intended to prevent any Allied move
into eastward Macedonia, where an ad-
vance up the Struma Valley. along the
railway through Demihassar, might
eventually threaten Sofia.
Serbs Take Offensive.
On the extreme western wing, in tn,
Florina sector, Berlin claims an ad
vance for the Bulgar troops. But Paris
announces tonight that the Serbs
have made progress north OF Strupino.
Apparently the offensive in this sec.
tor, too, is being wrenched gradually
from the Gar Ferdinand's troops.
Military observers here believe that
the main operations in the Balkans will
take place between Doiran and Seres
The campaign must develop rapidly, for
autumnal rain, due in few weeks, will
hinder if not bar operations entirely.
This holds true of the other fronts
Continued on page 3. column 8