Evening star., 1916-08-13

from Gallipoli passed TO the malnlahu.
In few months there were no less
than quarter of a million French
and British troops in this region, ana.
backed by a strong fleet, they had
transformed the easily defensible po-
sition into practically impregnabie
stronghold, another Torres Vedras. BY
spring a restored and equipped Serbian
army was brought over from Corfu
and at the present hour the allies have
an army that is rarely estimated at less
than a half million and has recently
been declared on interesting authority
to exceed 650,000.
All question of an attack upon Sa-
loniki was over with the winter. In
due course we were informed that the
French and British troops were begin
ming to push out from the seacoast and
were approaching the old Serb from
tier Only the other day there was
official report of Serbian advances
along Lake Presba. which is close to
the Albanian line and only short dis
lance from Monastir, the chief city Of
Macedonia Such a force would be in
touch with the Italians. pushing out
from valona.
The Allies at Saloniki.
We may then assume that something
over half a million allied troops are
now occupying a line but little south
of the former Serb-Greek frontier.
while an Italian army Of little less than
100000 is covering it's western flank
at valona. The allied troops are based
upon two railroads, or rather three
the Saloniki- -Monastir railroad. passing
through vodena, which crosses the fir-
ing line just south of Monastir; the
main Belgrade-Saloniki line. which
goes up the Vardar valley. and the Sa-
loniki- -Adrianople line, which parallels
the Belgrade line for some miles and
then turns east, south of the Greek
frontier. and follows the Aegean shore
to Bulgarian territory.
Facing them, the allies have practically
the whole Bulgarian army. but allowance
being made for losses in the three recent
wars, this cannot number more than 200,-
600, for Bulgaria is compelled to keep
rear guard troops in Macedonia and
old Serbia, and she is also obliged to
maintain forces to watch Rumania.
far as the Black sea coast is concern
ed Bulgaria seems to be relying upon
Turkish troops. stationed at Varna and
Burgas, to prevent an attack by Rus
sian army conveyed by the Black sea
fleet.
In addition. there has been a consid-
erable Teutonic force to the northeast
Of Saloniki. covering the Struma valley.
the direct route to Sofia, up which the
present Greek king led his victorious
covering also the railroad from Salon
Xxi to Adrianople. where 1t enters Bull
gar territory. This railroad is the sole
supply line for that army. aside from
the bad road up through the Struma
pass and over the crest into kusten-
dill. where a branch line from Sofia ter
inmates.
The Bulgarian armies in Macedonia
are dependent upon the main Belgrade
Saloniki line for supplies and upon the
Nish Sofia a-Adrianople line for commu- =
nication by rail with Bulgaria. There
is a good road over the mountains from
Skoplie. by Kumanovo to Kustendil. but
no railroad. The Bulgarians in Monas-
tir depend entirely upon highways. the
best coming from Veles, where 1t leaves
the Vardar valley. and the Belgrade
railroad by Prilip to the Monastir
plain. Such Austrian forces as may be
facing the Italians in Albania have
only wretched trails leading back by
Ochrida to Monastir, by Dibra and
Prisrend to the Skoplie-Novi Bazaar
railroad and by such service as can be
maintained by the sea