THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1915, Page 4

THE BALKANS.

This morning's caWes relative to the Balkans liiay be regarded as very satisfactory so far as tho Greek situation is concerned, but there is somewhat disquieting news regarding the march of a big German column eastward beyond Bulgaria. According to the Berliner Tageblatt, Greece lias agreed to give the Allies the free use of the railways in Greece and Macedonia, also the Aegean harbors, including Kavala, and the same paper also states that the «nemy offered Greece the Aegean Islands and Southern Albania—if she remained strictly neutral. Apparently the bribe did not work, and it may therefore be taken for granted that Greece stands more in fear of the Allies than of Germany. Whether the re-establishment of the restrictions on Greek commerce was the means ot again bringing Greece to reason is immaterial. The main point is that the Allies have Greece that they do not trust her, and this want of confidence is justified by the news that the Austvo-Gormans have been straining every nerve to make the Allies' position untenable. The Greek Premier is still between the hammer and the anvil, hut the Allies possess the railways irom Salonika, and are strongly' entrenched at Tjumcti, where they are awaiting reinforcements, and the message concludes with the announcement that events of great importance are likely to happen. The German move appears to be in the direction of Constantinople. If so there is the probability that though they may reach there, it will be quite another matter to return from whence they came. It may be that if, as it reported, the Kaiser is going to Constantinople, it is deemed necessary to send a force for his protection. The position at present is one that, may be regarded as favorable, and the fact that the Allies are not moving forward until a .sufficient force is available shows that they arc well alive to the importance of being prepared for all emergencies. Doubtless by the time the Anglo-French and Italians are ready to strike, they will have the assistance of a large force of 'Russians, and then there should be a speedy ending to the Balkan campaign, except as to following up the o-iraanji to Turkey,