We have dealt elsewhere with the situation in the Balkans,
but may record hero that the French and English troops carried out their retreat without precipitation and without -serious loss, and are now holding a prepared position within the Greek frontier. At the same time, an extensive fortified line is being got ready near Salonika. In a word, we are preparing a Balkan Torres Vedras with a sea base to which our troops can not only retire when pressed, but from which they can issue whenever the proper moment arrives. The sea covers their rear, the valley of the Vardar their left flank, the valley of the Strums their right, and a line of fortified hills their front. We speak, of course, in only very approximate language, and on a bigger scale, as it were, than is justified by present events. We have, however, roughly described the area in which our position of security will be found.
