The Detroit times., 1916-01-28
TOTAL LOSS
TO BRITISH
is 539,467

tContinued from PaEs one)
with little resistance. odlcial dis
patches received here today indicat
ed that the attack on Nalona snd
one OF the most important battles
of the Balkan struggle may begin
within a fortnight.
The Austrian feet IN all probabil-
itv will attempt 10 participate In
the engagement by shellinE Taiona
from the Adriatic. In this event an
encounter with the Allies squadrons
Is certain 10 bring perhaps the
greatest naval fight OF the war.
Conquest OF Montenegro and the
capture OF the Albanian towns Of
Scutari and san Giovanni 81 Medua
by the Austrians made further re-
sistance By scattered Serbian forces
In northern Albania useless. All Ser.
hian troops and all Mcutenegrtns
and AIbanians Who would not sur
render 20 rhe Austrian invaders, are
being trans sported 20 the Greek isl-
and OF Corfu as rapidly as allied
transports can reach them. or being
moved southwark 10 join the Ital.
inns az Nalona.
Within 30 days the Austro-Ger-
man. .Bulgar occupation OF the entire
Balkan peninsula to the Greek from
tier will be complete The Allies
however. are determined 10 hold Va.
,ona a. they now hold Salonika on
he eastern side OF the peninsula
Both are strategic positions OF the
greatest value They will be retain
ed ar All cost as military and naval
bases from which future campaigns
for the conquest Of the lost couu-
tries will be directed.
The Italians already have evacu-
ated Durazzo. or are about TO do so
Announcement Of Durazzo's capture
by Austrians who occupied San
Giovanni di Medua may De made at
any hour The Austrians are now
pressing steadily down the Adriatic,
planning to unite with the Bulgar-
ians moving westward through the
Elbsssan district, for joint drive
southwark upon Valona.
No fear is felt here for the safety
OF the italian expedtionary force at
Valona. The Italians hold a more
favorable position at Valona than
do the Anglo French al Salonika
and II Is strongly fortified II the
Austrian navy sorties out Of Cattaro
harbor. II will encounter immensely
superior allied squadrons Ia the
Adristic.
Official circles here have been In
formed that the Teutonlc attack on
saionika will be postponed until the
Austro- Bulgars drive az Valona In
an attempt 10 complete the con
quest Of Albania. The Austrians
hope 10 drive the Italians into the
sea and remove the menace OF
hostile force on their right flank
when they begin the march toward
/ SalonikR.
Greece has long had territorial
ambitions toward southern Albania.
Whether an invasion Of this region
by the Austrian troops vill throw
King Constantine 70 the side Of the
allies or will turn him toward the
central empires out OF fear OF an
Austrian invasion IL matter OF
conjecture here.
Little IL known here OF italian
troops IN Albania since the landings
we're made At Durazzo and Valona.
II vas generally believed. however.
that these forces were strong and
that the italian general ststf. a. all
costa. would retain its hold on Al
bania. sending large forces. n neces-
sary. 20 throw the Bulgars and Aus
trians from the country. The fact
that Italy has decided 10 risk Aus
trian occupation. not only Of Mon.
tenegro. but of the entire Adriatic
seacoast. a. far south az valona,
vas received with sstouIshment.
The criticism made by italian min.
listers themselves that italy failed
10 prepare for The collapse of Mon
benegro. a. the allies bad failed IN
Serbia. was repeated here.
The movement OF the Austro Bull
gars aouthVard toward the Greek
frontier is viewed with concern
here. because of its possible innu-
ence upon Greece With Austrian
Troops massed on the Albanian
Greek frontier. Constantlne's king
dom would be threatened with a..
tack sll along It's northern borders
oy armies Of the central empires.
This fact might be expected 10 IN
Auonce The kings decision on I'm
portant diplomatic matters.
Military men and diplomats here