The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1916. THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1916. THE BALKANS.

At tlie present moment events in the Balkans war theatre are overshadowing all others. The latest developments in Greece are on the only possible lines as viewed from a rational standpoint. .Although no definite decision has t)een arrived at, all t'he indications point to the abandonment of Greek neutrality and the entry of that country into the ranks of the Allies. The well-timed action of Roumania in joining the ■Entente Powers, and the exceptional success achieved by the Roumanians in their rapid advance against the enemy, have placed a, vastly diflerent complexion on the Balkans campaign. The Austrians are obviously abandoning a large portion of the Transylvanian salient, so the Transytoanian Alps, the most formidable of the mountain barriers confronting the Roumanians and the Russians, will be cleared without serious fighting. That already shows ,the advantages that are going to "be derived from Roumania's favorable strategical position. Moreover, it is piobaible that the greater part of Transylvania will have to toe abandoned by the enemy without a struggle. The enemy are on the horns of a dilemma. If they attempt to hold their most favorable defensive positions among the mountains they must hold a very long and dangerous salient line. If they s'lwrten their front and take up a less salient line they abandon their most favorable defensive positions. Probably it will not be left to theii choice, however. Before they can make a serious show of defence they have to rake together reinforcements from far-distant fronts. But the Roumanians are already on the spot with overwhelming forces, while the Russians are close at hand. Letchitsky may deliver a smashing blow at the Carpathian passes at any time, and the chances are that the enemy will be hurled out of the greater part ol Transylvania before they have time to accomplish the necessary reshuffling of their forces. It would appear that wc are probably on the eve of a general drawing back of the enemy in the East, and if that is so the liberation of Belgium should not be fat off. The Bui. garians appear to be crumpling up. It was a matter of some surprise to many people that the Bulgarian advance southwards was not opposed by the Allies, the reason being that every step forward taken by the Bulgarians was a step towards forcing Greece to join the Allies. They have practically succeeded in bringing this to pass, and though Germany is rushing her troops to the danger zone, the Balkans campaign should soon be past history. We may now confidently look forward to another big forward push in the West, ind events of great importance may be expected in the near future.