New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-26
ALLIES TIGHTEN
GRIP ON LINES
NEAR M0NASTIR
Serb and Russian Forces
Seize Dominating
Positions.
RUSSIANS THROW
MACKENSEN BACK
Big Victory Reported for
the Cars Troops III
Dobrudja.
fBv Cable 20 r.. Tribune J

London. Sept. % Serbian troops
coOperating with the French and Rus
slams, took another stride forward IN
their march on Monastir to-day. At
the same time, on their right, ''arraiis
forces kept IN the incessant pressure
on the enemy's lines that seems 10
presage an extension Of the OFFENSIVE
in Macedonia.
In the Dobrudjs Mackensen's army
is still falling back. The Bucharest
official statement to-day reports en- ad-
vance of the Rumanian left 'lank, while
greater success for the Russians Is
reported in semi-ofFicial dispatch
from Odessa. Some indication of the
extent of this reported victory is given
in the announcement Of the capture OF
1000 Bulgar prisoners.
At two points King Peters soldiers
are now fighting on their own soil for
the redemption of their fatherland'
Saturday they pushed across the ron
tier on the summit of The kaimak-
calan ridge. To-day they followed up
this advantage by smashing through
the border lines TO the west OF the
ridge, north of Krusograd.
Village Seized by French.
Meanwhile the Cars troops swung
forward west Of Florins and seized
Hill 9I6, powerfully fortified height
on the southern tip or the Baba range,
dominating the western side of the
Cerna Valley. Northeast Of Florins
French infantrymen put the finishing
touches on the days offensive by capt
uring the village OF Petorak, driving
out the Bulgarian garrison in sharp
house-to-house combats.
The Importance Of these new gains
lies in their effect on the thrust
which the Allies have been aiming at
the enemy positions guarding Monastir
from the south. Lying across the
level plain where the Cerna River has
its source, the Bulgar defences retain
their value only so long as the heights
on either side are held. On the one
hand the Baba range and on the other
the Nidje ridge offer complete COM
mand of the ten-mle stretch Of ground
between.
The strategy Of the Allied command
ers is apparent. Instead Of attempting
what might prove very costly drive
against the valley defence. of the Bull
CARS at Kenali. they are steadily tight
ening their grip on the two heights
whose possession will compel the
enemy to withdraw his whole line. To-
days carefully prosecuted movements
further developed this plan, which now
seems assured Of success in the near
future.
Bulgar Attack Repulsed.
The Bulgars are not surrendering
ground without the most stubborn re-
sistance, but they are clearly out
matched. To-day they rallied on both
the Western and Eastern ends OF the
front, hurting furious counter-attacks
at the advancing forces. The artillery
of the French. Russians and Serbs rolled
back the Bulgar waves as they were
about to break. and bayonets did the
rest. Car Ferdinand's fighters fell
away in disorder and offered little OPP
position TO the subsequent advance Of
the Allied forces.
In the Struma and Vardar sectors the
French and British troops are extend
ing their activities as the weather CON
ditions improve. Another assault BY the
British against Janimah. north Of Lake
L r
the French 10 the west carried trench
at the point Of the payonet and con-
tinued their destructive bombardment
OF the enmy's posts. Advances were
made against the villages Of Nevolen,
Dolno, Karsjovo and Gudeit, but the
Bulgars succeeded in throwing the Al
lied troops back and at some points
forcing them across the Strums