VELES AND ISHTIP TAKEN.

ALLIES NEAR USKUB,

On Wednesday the Serbian troops had reached the outskirts of Ishtip, and had also got across the road from Ishtip to Voles. They had captured Ishtip and were approaching Veles, which is less than 30 miles from Uskub. Their troops were near Izvor (on the Babuna defile road between Prilep and Veles, 10 miles south of the latter town)’ and were then pursuing the routed and retreating First Bulgarian Army. According to the latest news available last night the Allies have captured Veles, and their cavalry yesterday were only fifteen miles from Uskub, and it is regarded as doubtful if a large proportion of the Bulgar army will get through, though they are making desperate efforts to do so. The 11th “German” Army is luring driven to the westward. This is not really an army composed of German troops, but is commanded by a German general and staff. To its left is an Austrian army in Albania. The occupation by the Allies of Gradsko and Prilep has resulted in separating a large portion of the Bulgarian army west of Prilep from the remainder of the enemy’s forces in the Vardar valley. The only line of retreat now open to the former is the long and roundabout road from Prilep viâ Kichevo and Gostivar to Uskub. They are being closely pursued by the Allied cavalry. The remainder of the Bulgarian forces are also seriously endangered by the Allied advance on Veles, Ishtip, and Strumitza, the capture of which would sever all the direct lateral lines of communication at the disposal of the enemy forces. The situation of the Bulgarian army is therefore regarded as already a very dangerous one. If the Allies should reach Uskub the effect will in all probability be decisive, as Uskub is the vital point, the centre of all the enemy’s lines of communication from north to south and east, to west, and its capture would mean the complete defeat of the Bulgarian army.