A LErrER FROM SALONIKA. Ivo TER EDITOR. OF TEl "
STECPAT01.1
11114—I think you may like to see the enclosed extracts from letters (written on July 30th and August 7th) from Salonika by an English " Here in Salonika we have boon every day expecting the Russians, and the children going down to see them arrive. And now they are really disembarking. Thank God, so far as they have arrived safely, good-looking, healthy-looking young fellows. There is a pretty story going about here. A Sorbian officer in command in his trench very close to the Bulgarians gave his orders in a loud voice one evening. A minute afterwards a Bulgarian officer in his trench gave the same.
' Petroff,' cried the Serb, is that your voice I hear 1'
Johennovitch,' cried the Bulgarian, 'is that your voice I hear ?' Yes, yes, and we must meet,' came from both sides.
'Give me your word of honour,' said tho Bulgarian, that you won't take nto prisoner, and I will come across to you.'
' Not only my word of honour, but I will take the first ten paces to meet you,' answered the Serb. So ten paces one took and ten paces the other, and then again each took ten, then fell into each other's srms and embraced with effusion.
'But when are you going to begin your offensive ? ' asked the Bul- garian. We aro impatient for your offensive, we can't put up any longer with our German officers. But when you come bring some Russians along with you, and lot them call out loud, "Brothers, we greet you! We come from tho Tzar Liberator " and then you will see the Bul- garians lay their arms at your feet.'
This story is being told everywhere as true. May things turn out as ft foretells.
Our gas finished on July 14th, and now there is some talk of giving it back to us. The uncertainty of the water supply is more serious. Happily we have bread, and the heat has already greatly diminished, so there is somewhat less sickness. The British doctors rush their patients on board the hospital ships, and I believe in this way have saved many lives. The British hospital arrangements are beyond all praise and one is always hearing the soldiers say how well they are looked after in hospital. As far as we can judge the Russians, ignorant though they are, wait more on God's help than any of the armies. And some people think It is becauee of this and the great sacrifice they made in giving up vodka, that such victories are granted them. If just by their coming they can end the Balkan trouble by winning the Bulgars over it will indeed be a beautiful miracle."
August 7th.
"To-day we have suddenly winter; it has rained all night and to-day Is really cold. The British soldiers appear in their woollen clothes, cap and waterproof. They have so many clothes it must take time to think what to put on. The last recruits just arrived from home look so fresh and rosy, while their comrades are already something between red Indian and copper-coloured men, but all as good as gold. Not that they look well in shirt eleevea well rolled up, bare cheats and bare knees ; It may be common-sense but it is not military. They seem quite pleased when I explain to them that they have been specially called by God, and given a chance to be heroes. I tell them they never could have done what they have just by their own sense of duty, but only because Almighty God called them, just as He calls us to our vocations. Then they smile all over and say ' That's so' or That is right.' "
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