The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915. DANUBIAN FRONT, AND THE DARDANELLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915. DANUBIAN FRONT, AND THE DARDANELLES.

Attention just now is keenly centred on the attitude of the Balkan States in view of the latest reported development of the Austro-German projected movements. Early in August we defined the position as it then existed, pointing out Bulgaria practically held the key of the situation and that her co-operation would give the Allies Constantinople within a month, also that, should the Austro-German forces attempt to traverse Servia on their way to help the Turks, it was probable that the whole of the Balkan States would come to the rescue. In one respect the position remains the same to-day, only Germany is now credited with the determinatinon to ride rough-shod over Servia, and the impending storm over the Balkans is apparently about to break. The time has evidently arrived when these States must decide either to support the Allies or Germany, but the tangled web of interests will be difficult to unravel. News from Bucharest is to the effect that the Austrians are massing on the Serbo-Rounianian frontier, and, as Germany controls her vassal-ally, it is evident that the fear of the consequences of the Allies forcing the Dardanelles is impelling Germany to ease off operations in the eastern theatre of war and mako a bold bid to assist the Turks in defending their territory. Wo are told that Greece's continued sympathy with the Allies is unimpaired, but that ill. Venizelos' diflieulty is »s to whether the Greek army can be relied on to carry out the wish of the people. The crux of the Balkan action seems to be an agreement between Bulgaria and Servia. Bulgaria demands Macedonia, and if Servia and the Allies will promise that Macedonia shall be restored to Bulgaria it is believed King Ferdinand, despite his Austrian leanings, will come in, and if Bulgaria joins the Allies so will Greece. Servia has practically rio choice but to come in, especially as the Kaiser has intimated his intention of finally wiping Servia off the map. Negotiations have been proceeding between Turkey and Bulgaria for cession of territory to the latter, but there are still difficulties in the way of Turkey's attempted bribe having due effect. It is the Dardanelles factor that is bringing about the threatened storm, and both Turkey and Germany will strain every resource to thwart the Aliies. Fortunately Servia lias Had time to recuperate from the severe treatment meted out to her by Austria, who, after her uusuccessful attempt to crush Servia at a blow, left her to her fate, while seeking bigger game. Servia knows only too well that the defeat of the Allies would surely lead to her doom. The opening of the Dardanelles and the destruction of Turkey would undoubtedly act a» an impepog force to bring the Balkan

States into line with the Allies, but their support now would be infinitely more serviceable than after the crisis is over. Tliat the peril is recognised by them is beyond question, for the whole battery of GermaJi intrigue and bribery lias failed to win any of the States over to Germany; rather has it drawn them closer to the Allies, while Roumania has absolutely refused the German demand for the passage of arms and munitions for the Turks, In his present mood the Kaiser does not take kindly to rebuffs, henco iie appears to be contemplating another campaign on the Danubian front, a move that will certainly be fraught with far-reaching effects on the map of tliat perturbed area. Were Servia to be crushed, the enemy would still have to pass through Bulgaria to reach the Dardanelles, while if Bulgaria joind in helping Servia the Bulgar country could only bo readied through Roumania or through mountain defiles. Bulgaria is in a unique position,, and can, if she will, be the deciding factor in the future of the war. It is passing strange that the operations at the Dardanelles—an undreamed of factor when the war started—should now loom large, involving the destiny of tha various Balkan States, and become probably the turning point of the world's greatest war. *