CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 64, 15 November 1915, Page 5

CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

Matters hi Greece seem to be developing to a crisis when the die must ho cast by that country. Considerable activity iii ; diplomatic circles is announced, and the Allies are firmly pursuing the .course of holding Greece to'the Serbian treaty. 'They are also showing thai fee troops of ttle Entente and of Serbia are not to be distinguished in case of their being forced to refuge in Greece. Now, this does not anticipate actual retreat to Greece, but it is merely one way of trying to get something definite out of the j Slippery One. Germany is exercising the utmost pressure, aud a mission has arrived at Athens to definitely settle Greece's relations with Austro-Germany. The position of the enemy is almost like that of the Allies .in regard to the question, as Greece seems to be fooling, both parties, at least endeavouring to do so. As far as real legitimate, cause for intervention goes, the Allies have the only one that can -be regarded in any light—Greece's i - obligation under treaty toiSerbit: German influence is evidently'being hard pressed to keep Greece neutral. Of course she alleges (that troops were allowed to land in Greece, but, as the Allies had the !consent of the Government, this cannot be regarded as a breach of International Law. In any case, it is not for Germany to claim as justification international law when she is the International Outlaw.

The La Patras, Athens, states that Earl Kitchener's emissary has been received by King Constantine, and has made known the Entente's new proposals to that monarch. The arrival of Kitchener himself cannot be far distant, as he is bound in his characteristic practical manner to be at hand to see that the proposals are fully understood and given proper consideration. Arrivals seems to be the order of the day, the latest being the Italian cruiser Piedmonte at Salonika. It is noted that Roumania is said to be still silent, and gives no indication of her leanings.

j Th© military situation in the Balkans has not undergone much change, but it is becoming better every day. The Serbians claim a victory at Letovo, while the French -have routed the Bulgarians north of Strumnitza. South-east of Strumnitza, the Allies seem to be straightening up the line preparatory. to '■» general advance into Bulgaria, the feelers for which are being pushed out north of Valandova and in the Bulgarian district around Strumnitza. The British will probably make their advance from Doiran, across the Belshitza range into the Strumnitza valley, and then up the Strumna valley, having as their ob-

jective Sofia, which will also T)e converged upon from the south-west from ITskub, which seems on the eve of falling into the Allied hands. The military situation i s distinctly favourable to us. When the landing troops on the soil of a wavering people, the necessity to watchithat people,' the early start that the enemy had, the difficult landing which, 'on ajo count of the scant wharfage, delayed operations, and the fact that Greece played false—when jail Jthese things are recalled, it must be admitted that the Allies have carried out a most difficult operation with despatch and smoothness. They.have met the tide of the Bulgarian army, and, with the gallant nation, for whom all this is done, have dealt with the tide solidly, and will do so more solidly in the very near future.

, Now that a field is open for the use of the splendid Xew Zealand Mounted Infantry iii "the "Serbian Campaign, it is quite probable that the New Zealanders will be taken with tTieir met-tle-some steeds, which have been long inactive and chafing in Egypt, to Kavala or Salonika, and giyep in the Allied operations. In an expedition such as the Balkans, jthe services of naturally-trained scouts and never-retiring fighters such as the New Zealanders, and the Australians would be invaluable. In any case, it is hoped that the mounted men of Australasia will be given the opportunity for which they have longed, and will be able to show the world that their deeds as infantry can be equalled, if not extended, by the mounted work for which their callings in life have trained them almost since childhood. What a splendid advance guard they would make!

The Danube is mentioned very often in the cables, and a short description of the great river may prove of interest and valuable reference to readers.. It is hardly necessary to trace this waterway from its origin, but that part of it which runs from Iron Gate near Orsova must be considered, because it is there that it enters the Balkan States. From Orsova—or rather the Roumanian town Trunu of Severin, the river Mows in a southerly direction and forms the border between Serbia and Roumania. It flows thus for about 40 miles, and then turns east. It flows for about 250 miles to Sillistria, and from there takes a northerly course to Braila and Galatz, right through Roumania and then turns east again, and forms the boundary between Russian Bessarabia and Roumania. Opposite Galatz is the Russian town, Reni, where the Russians are said to be concentrating. Sea-going vessels up to 400 tons can travel up the river for 100 miles. From Braila to the Iron Gates, sea-going vessels up to 000 tons and flat barges of from 1500 to 2000 tons can navigate the waterway. Several fortified towns are placed on the Bulgarian bank, the first to meet a party coming up the river being Rustchuch, where the Germans are said to be landing munitions for Turkey. The Russians could not, of course, expect to "walk in," but would probably have to batter a way for themselves. But what matters that, when the fact that their

presence would require the diversion of more troops than the enemy could afford from the other fronts. The turbulence of the times is spreading further, and now*- Persia is on the verge of being brought into the whirlpool of war and political and diplomatic contest. A correspondent of the Novoe Vremya, the Petrograd journal, draws attention to the growing seriousness of the position on account of the activity of German agents who are seeking to bring about a similar state of affairs as that in Turkey and Bulgaria. Iti fact, they had already begun the training of irregular troops for the regular army under the very nose of Russian diplomatists. He adds, that if Persia herself cannot end the agitation, Russia and Britain must act at once. Russia is active, and reinforcements for Teheran are due on the 12th instant. Both Great Britain and Russia have important interests in the neighbourhool of Persia. These, with Persia's, were made the subject of an agreement in 1907 by which the signatories agreed to respect the integrity and independence of Persia. Great Britain undertook to seek no political or commercial concessions north of a line from Kasri Shirin to the junction of the Persian, Afghan, and Russian frontier. Russia gave a similar undertaking regarding the territory south of this line. Of. course, now that these two countries are allied, the latter part of the convention is unimportant, but the fact remains that they have undertaken to respect the independence of Persia. The Shah has not left Teheran, and the natives have been reassured that all is well.' But there is no end to German chichanery, and the trouble may develop unless the prompt measures of the Allies are effective. >; s