Evening star., 1916-09-19
Driven Out of FIorina and Re-
ported to Be Evacuating
Monastir.
MAY OPEN UP THE WAY
FOR INVASION OF SERBIA
French Troops Took Florina by
Storm, Supported by Serbians
and Russians.

LONDON, September Ie.-An
Athens dispatch to the Exchange
Telegraph Company says that In
formation received there indicates
that the Bulgars are beginning
the evacuation of Monastir. 1t IS
said that the Bulgarian archives
are being hastily transported TO
Uskub.
May Open Road Into Serbia.
The reported evacuation of Mona stir,
in southwestern Serbia, is regarded as
one of the most important develop
ments of the Balkan campaign and as
creating a highly interesting military
situation. Military observers point to
the possibility, in view of these devel-
opments. that the main thrust of the
allies Saloniki army may be directed
from the Cerna valley. in which lie
Florina and Monastir. toward Prilep.
The Serbians are advancing also east
of the Cerna and are reported by Paris
today to have withstood successfully
two Bulgarian counter attacks. There
have been no sustained offensive move
that Of the Struma, the other possible
lines of advance for the allies in their
.,lacedontan campaign.
Bulgars Took Long Chance.
Dispatches reaching London describe
the operations which resulted in the
capture by the entente allied forces of
Florina. Macedonia. According to Reu-
ters Saloniki correspondent. the Bull
garians. in extending their line so far
south as the region of Lake Ostrovo
with limited forces played bold but
dangerous game. Success would have
compromised the whole entente allied
line. but lack of success was bound to
prove costly by jeopardizing the whole
Bulgarian right.
The first wavering among the Bull
garians, says the dispatch, was caused
by the unexpected pressure of the
French and Russians on their extreme
Hank, and the Serbians. prof1ting by
this indecision. attacked energeticaIly
on the 18th and 18th. At first the
Serbian infantry made little impression
on the well-intrenched Bulgarians, but
after a strong bombardment with high
explosives the Serbians carried line
after line Of trenches, compelling the
Bulgarians to abandon the whole of
their advanced position along the
Malkanidze range, with thirty-two
guns. including two heavy guns.
Right Wing Driven Back.
The whole Bulgarian right wing fell
back and the entente allies obtained
command Of the ranges dominating the
Florina plain.
An Athens dispatch to the Exchange
Telegraph Company describes the later
phases of the concentration for the
attack on Florina, which was carried
out with the greatest secrecy. The
contingents were divided into three
parties in a converging movement to
connect at Florina. The Russians start
ed from Verria, southwest of Saloniki,
and proceeded by forced marches.
A French column was directed against
the same objective, while the Serbians
In the region of Horovttz were ordered
to repel the Bulgarians from the
heights in the vicinity of Ekshisu and
Petroskou. The Bulgarians were deci-
mated and hed. leaving everything
behind.
The road to Monastir. the dispatch adds,
now is free. and ii Is safe to predict that
the entente allies will meet with little re-
sistance in taking the town.
Counter Attacks in Vain.
PARIS. September 1s-The Bulgarians
on the Macedonian front have made two
counter attacks against the Serbians, but
gained no success. it was announced Of
fcially here today.
The Bulgarians and Germans have not
attempted counter action against the
French troops which captured Florina.
There Is no change on the Struma front.
Florina was carried by assault by
French troops. according to war office
statement The Bulgarians are retiring
in disorder In the direction of Monasttr,
the statement adds Serbian troops also
have gained successes in the region of