New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-20
Serbs Win Back City
on Anniversary of
1912 Victory
| MANY PRISONERS
INENTENTE HANDS
Capture May Prove To Be
the Salvation of
Rumania
fBy Cable 10 Ths Tribune

who drove forward dauntlessly along
the ridges to the east, the Bulgars
and Germans evacuated the city, the
stronghold of Serbian Macedonia,
under cover Of darkness. The Al
lies entered at o'clock this morn
ing.
Thus the first fruits of their long
and bitter campaign have fallen to
King Peters troops. They have re-
gained one of their most important
cities, and as symbol of the first
great step in reclaiming their land
have proclaimed it their capital.
The Bulgar-Teuton forces, swept
back by the brilliant assault, are re-
treating in disorder to Prilep, says
a Reuter- dispatch. The Serbians
took a large number Of prisoners
and stores. They are pushing after
the enemy, and already have consol-
idated their positions on the Mon
astir plain. In addition to Mona
stir, the Serbians have captured the
villages of Grunishte, Brink and
Yarashck and Hill 1878.
There is a vast amount Of inspi-
ration in this Serbian feat. A year
ago King Peters army was in wild
fight before the invading forces OF
Mackensen, outnumbering them in
men and outranging them in guns.
Anniversary of 1912 Victory
Battered and rent by the relent-
less crunching of the German ma
chine, they were driven from their
last foothold in their own land.
Then began the task of reorganiza-
ton. And now, on the anniversary
of their conquest Of the city from
the Turks in 1912, the Serbs once
more are in Monastir.
The advance Of King Peters troops
over the crests that buttress the Mon
astir plain will take its place in Mill
tary annals. Ridge after ridge fell be-
fore the Serbian charge until the Bull
gar positions in the lowlsnd had been
turned.
Then the big guns of the Allies were
moved forward up the plain as the
Teuton and Bulgsr forces, caught by
the enfilading fire Of the Serbs on the
east, were forced 70 fali back. When
the Entente artillery opened fire the
Teutonic armies had no alternative.
They evacuated the city.
Sarrail now has accomplished the
most important stroke Of the entire
Macedonian campaign. IL comes at an
oprortune moment, for it Is bound 10
have an immense effect on the Ru-
manian situation. Though the Bull
garians are strong enough to continue
their stiff resistance in Serbia, where
the odds are greatly in favor of the
defending forces, they can no longer
weaken their southern army to aid Fall
kenhayn and Mackensen.
On the other hand, they may soon
find themselves in such perlous posi-
tion that the German commanders may
be forced TO draw from their own
forces to save their ally from disaster.
An Important Feat
From a military standpoint the re-
capture of Monastir is extremely i'm
portant. II has already compelled the
Bulgsrs to retire some distance to the
north and east. In a few days they
hal la. nil 10 d
ing from the Shar Mountains, southeast
of Prisrend, along the western edge
of the Vardar Valley.
The key to this line would be the
Babuna Pass, north of Prilep. II the
Serbs were able TO sweep the enemy
from that part of the Vsrdar Valley
south of the eastern entrance OF Bs-
buna, they would then have the ad-
vantage of the Salonica- Belgrade rail-
road and could smash forward TO their
greatest victories.
The Serbs whole effort for the pres
ent probably will aim At the fanking
Of the enemy out of the Vardar Valley.
Frontal attack would be not only cost
ly, but probably unsuccessful. During
the next few days. and possibly weeks,
the Serbs will drive on the Babuns
Pass, down the Cerna Valley and
northwest toward 0chrida and along
the foothills of the Shsr range.
II these encircling movements meet
with success there will be nothing to
stop the Serbs from winning the vital
part of the Oriental railroad and re-
claiming their whole country.
Fought in Bitter Cold
A Reuter- dispatch from French head
quarters in Macedonia, under date OF
November II, describes the fighting in
the direction Of Monastir AS proceed
ing in bitter cold. rain, sleet, mud and
slush. Nevertheless, the Allied attack
was kept up continuously and success
fully. especially on the right.
The Serbians, supported by French
guns and contingent OF French in
unceasing offensive, says the dispatch,
and although the enemy forces were
continually reinforced they were driven
from position after position. BY thus
keeping their opponents on the move
the Serbians extracted the maximum
advantages from their victory.
"The Serbo-French successes on the
left bank Of the Cerna River" con.
tinues The dispatch. gave the Allies
such an advantageous position that the
enemy was obliged to abandon the
Kenali line. although II proved almost
invulnerable to frontal attack.
THE Bulgsr-German trenches were
deep and narrow and were provided
with shelters nearly thirty feet under
ground. afording complete security
from shellburvta. ONLY vary ur~~n<