13 NOVEMBER 1915, Page 2

Once again we must apologize for being able to give

only the very vaguest sketch of what is happening in the Balkans. It appears that the. Germans have now got complete posses- sion, or almost complete possession, of the railway line which connects Sofia with the Austrian frontier, and so Constan- tinople with Berlin. It is even said, Weed, though we should doubt it, that munitions are already being forwarded by through-truck. In all probability the munitions are going forward down the Danube for Balkan ports. Let us hope they will meet with Russian warships. In addition to Germany's success in seizing the railway, we regret to record the occupation of Nish, the war-capital of Serbia, by the Bulgarians. The capture of the town included also the capture of a good many guns and munitions of war. Speaking generally, about two-thirds of Serbia are now in the possession of either Germany or Bulgaria. At the same time, and this is the really important point, the Serbian Army remains intact. It is true that its line of retreat is towards the mountains of Montenegro and Albania, and no doubt with an ordinary army this would seem a somewhat hopeless prospect. But the Serbians are thoroughly accustomed to mountain fighting and mountain travelling—without roads— and will be able to live where other armies would perish. Besides, help may come to them by way of the sea.