In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 40, 14 September 1916, Page 5

In the Balkans

THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, September 13. The newspapers are delighted with General Sarrail’s offensive launched after ten months’ inactivity. They ! point out that General Sarrail is attempting both the practicable routes I northwards of the Struma Valley and I the Yardar Valley, j Experts admit that the natural ob- ■ stacles to the Anglo-French advance 'are considerable, but the movement jhas been carefully prepared, and j should prove most successful. The j fight lasted thirty-six hours, the BulI gars having heavy losses before they !retreated. ■ j The British crossed the Struma at tlie spot Xerxes crossed when invading Greece, as Herodotus describes NechprL The British crossing place was the ancient Amphipolis, where Xerxes sacrificed nine youths and nine maidens. If General Sarrail’s offensive seems j belated, it must be remembered that General von Mackensen’s attack on Serbia was initiated a month later, j and tliaj> the Balkans advance towards j Turkey in 1012 was later still. These , were short and sharp campaigns, and the Allies desire a similar decision before the Balkan winter. Once the Allies are across the great Balkan railway, Bulgaria and ; Turkey will he crushed, as it is im|,possible that Germany can any longer ; supply them with munitions. | The health of the Allied troops continues good, and munitions are inexj haustible, I General Sarrail’s offensive is likely j to prove that General von Mackeusou I simply sacrificed his southern front when he moved 120,000 Bulgarians to attack Roumania.