11 DECEMBER 1915, Page 1

As was bound to happen after the overrunning of Serbia,

the French have had to withdraw from their advanced positions. The Bulgarians, of course, are endeavouring to out off the troops that have penetrated furthest, but there seems no reason to suppose that they will succeed. It is far more probable that the French will be able to withdraw without injury to defen- sive positions. Meanwhile the British forces at or near Strumnitza have given a very good account of themselves. They were bom- barded on Monday all along their front, and this bombardment was followed by an infantry attack which was carried out with great ferocity. It was, however, completely repulsed by the British when it was first launched, and also on the succeeding day. Our casualties are said to have been slight, but unless the Bulgarians are an exception to every military rule, their unsuccessful attack on a trench line must have caused there heavy losses.