In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 48, 1 February 1916, Page 5

In the Balkans

1/ SECRET SERVICE story, I 1 ROU'MANIA FOR THE ALLIES. BULGARIA AND GERMANISM. (I'MTKU I UK«r> .\BsuUIAT|(»N. I London, January 30. The spy, who dinod with the Kaiser, passed four peaceful days in Rouniania. The Assembly was thoroughly proAlly, especially pro-French, and particularly hating. Austria-Hungary. The whole of the Roumanian army was crazy for war. Closed blinds on the railway carriages indicated that military operations were proceeding. Officers were dissatisfied with the slowness of the progress of the Allies, but firm believers in their eventual victory, assuring him that up influence could induce them to join Germany. The newspapers publish much French and Italian army news. The British Government should emulate this. The country was over-run with German spies and Germans were publishing many Roumanian newspapers. Bribery was rife. The Germans, endeavoring to keep Roumania neutral* exaggerated mishaps to the Allies, pointing out the hopelessness of tire struggle. The chief theme was the retirement from the Dardanelles. The effect of. the English defeats and withdrawals was bad; nevertheless the Roumanians were good judges of the Prussian character, and would spoiler light . to the last man than, submit to Prussian despotism. Bulgaria’s attitude to the Allies was difficult to analyse. The majority of the people were not cordial to the Turco-German alliance. The politicians, probably frightened and bought, bad not yet found symptoms of affection for Britain. The people knew nothing of Britain, but understood Germany, thanks to the indefatigable German newspaper work. In the schools there were perpetual cinema exhibitions. The Bulgarian train windows were painted white in order to prevent passengers looking out. Sofia was practically German, swaggering German officers 1 being everywhere. Tbe occupation was as firmly established as that of j Constantinople. In Turkey the Germans bribed the Arab chiefs to fight the English by gifts of money, jewellery, horses and Circassian girls. In Bulgaria the wily Germans handed over to the treacherous Bulgars all the Serbian loot, which was seen everywhere. The system oi bribery waeffectual. Bulgar and German officers were seen fraternising and German soldiers and Bulgar girls sweethearting. .Np sugar was obtainable in Bulgaria, bgf black bread supplied for tickled. 1 There was V’sllortagc of coal. Already Bulgaria* was' feeling degrees of poverty under her German masters, which, if the Allies fomented political trouble, would result in dissension, despite German cajolery, gifts and promises. •,-v* i. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Salonika, January 31. The Germans are placing a big gun at Anzac, with the object of bombarding Imbros. The French raid at Fazabli destroyed five hundred tents. The military casualties in the air raid on Monastir amounted to five hundred. The occupation of Karaburnu was necessary owing to a German submarine torpedoing a British transport, which was carrying mules, a few days ago, while in Greek waters. The vessel was beached and most of the mules were saved.