The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1918. EVENTS MOVING RAPIDLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1918. EVENTS MOVING RAPIDLY.

Events in connection with the Avar are moving rapidly. In the course of ten days the whole aspect of the situation has been tremendously changed to the advantage of the Allies. The Turkish, amies in Palestine have in that short period ceased to exist as a lighting force, and General Allenby is proceeding northwards without serious opposition. In the Balkans the results achieved by the Allies in the last few days are even more momentous and more pregnant with, possibilities. The Bulgarians have been heavily defeated, their armies cut in two, their great natural fortifications penetrated, and theiicountry invaded. On Saturday it was announced from Washington that the Bulgarian Minister there had made a statement that "Bulgaria was out of the war." If this is correct, then it plainly means that Bulgaria is throwing herself on the mercy of the Allies, before her lands are overrun by Ih:> Allied armies, which have r< the way clear to them. Bulgaria is the key of the Balkans. "With her out of the way Turkey is cut completely from the Central Powers, and she must also surrender or be despatched very soon by the Allies, who can throw in an enormous force by the railways running down the peninsula, and deal her a mortal blow. Turkey has had [enough of the war, and has been • yxsiUy. uidiappy under the heel of ■

1 lie Germans for some time past. The probabilities are that she, too, will make overtures for peace. The defection ol! Bulgaria• from Germany may be regarded as the beginning of I lie end of the enemy coalition. The Allies can move northward through Scrvia, also through Roumanift, who, suffering as she is from the oppressive terms levied by Austro-Gormany, would welcome with outstretched arms Hie arrival of the Allies. It has to lie .remembered that Iloumania had a very fine annv when she was treacherously sold by the Russians, and with the assistance in equipment and munitionment tiie Allies could give she could once i agnh take her place by the side I of the forces of liberty' and join in the attack on Austria's flank. It is no wonder that the Stock Exchange is panic-stricken. The hearts of the men who have charge of the finances of Germany must be chilled by the prospect. They must now realise that Austria is in no condition or position to withstand further pressure, especially from such a vulnerable quarter, and may at any moment, " quit." Then Germ any would be left to face by herself the avenging armies of the world. As it is, she is weakening perceptibly under Poeh's repeated hammer blows, which are increasing in weight and power. The effect is shown on the enemy forces, who are losing their morale, and showing a greater disposition to surrender than to continue fighting. They are! awakening to the fact that absolute defeat stares Germany in the face, and all the exhortations and implorations of the Kaiser, Hindenburg, Ludendorff and the Chancellor will not prevail. Germany is putting up a great bluff. Bulgaria would not have sought peace so early in the day if Ger-j many had the strong hold over her I that we were led. to believe was! the case. There has always been a section in Bulgaria opposed to Ferdinand's pro-German policy, but it has not been strong enough to influence Bulgaria's Avar policy, or her treatment of Scrvia—perhaps the most brutal in the history of the war. Bulgaria deserves little mercy. She should be made to pay for her crimes, not out of vengeance, but out of justice to the unfortunate Servians whom she has so maltreated. The terms of peace are now being considered by the Allies, and will be sent as soon as possible. Meantime the Allies' armies are gathering momentum, many points of high strategical Value Jailing to them, and, though, Germany boasts of ''taking strong measures to protect the Bulgarian front," the Bulgarian armies will soon cease to exist as such, for they are devoid of equipment, material, and proper transport facilities. On the west front there has never been such Allied activity since the, war commenced. Offensives are proceeding on every sector, and it is stated that Marshal Foeh is utilising the full strength of the Allies. This is evident from the success Unit is being obtained from Flanders to the Avgonne, and the report that Cambrai has fallen will probably prove correct. It may be said that Marshal Foch is making his supreme effort to get within sight of ultimate victory, and the successes that have been obtained by the Allies have not been marred by a smgle set-back. The Italians on the Albanian side are participating in the enemy's discomfiture, and it is reported that the Austrians are evacuating Albania, With the Allies' advance their line could be turned from the east, and the Ausfrians are taldng time by the forelock. The situation is most interesting and pregnant with possibilities. Anything may happen in the next few days, and news will be awaited with much interest.