THE SERBIAN ADVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 16 October 1918, Page 4

THE SERBIAN ADVANCE.

Great events on the western front and the German move fer peace have left little attention to be {riven to the rapid advance of the Serbians and French in Serbia. The capitulation oi Bu]lgaria. following -on the initial success of the Allied cnTensive, was the rnling sensation far a time, but when the interest in it lost its keen edge, there was natnrallv a disposi—on to take less notice of the fight—«:. Bnt the Franco-Serbian advance is highly interesting and important from every point of view, and ■ever-rbo>dy shon—d -turn ajside for a moment from —1 c great drama in the west to note the progress of the deliverance of Serbia, ana congratulate —le

Serbian army on its home-coming. The advance since the Bulgarian army capitulated has been by no means an easy one, for Austrian and German divisions tried to bar the way. but the Frencfii and the Serbians have pushed forward so rapidly that about half of Serbia is now liberated and Nish. the old capital, lias been occupied. The strategical importance of Nish lies in its position at —le junction of the railways to Constantinople and Salonika: whatever the Allies may be doing in Bulgaria itself. about which there is little news, they are now at Nish. astride the railway line from Germany to Constantinople, a development that cannot fail to make a further impression on the Turk.

The inability of Germany and Austria not only to heip Bulgaria against the Allies, but to hold back the French and Serbian armies now, is a very clear and most encouraging proof of their straits for men. The late Sling of Bulgaria has stated that Bulgaria asked for help before General d/Esperey's offensive began, but Germany was unable to send it, owing to the demands of the western front, consequently Bulgaria had no choice but to surrender. The Central Powers were, and are, in a much better position, geographically, than the Allies, to reinforce the Balkan front. Several weeks have passed since the Allied offensive began, so there has been ample time to get adequate German and Austrian reinforce—lents into Serbia. But tbe French ami Serbians, alt—ought

they must be _red after their long spell of strennons campaign—tg, and they are daily lengthening their coir—n_oications, are driving t—Eongn ail opposi—on, which shows ,t_at the enemy's reinforcements cannot he proportioi—-te to __ peril The Central Powers simply have not got the men to send. The Allies are advancing so rapidly through Serbia, that it is do_"D__l whether any great number of the Anstrians in Albania will get away. Our cavalry is on the Montenegrin fron_er. partly across the enemy's line of retreat, and the prisoners taken inclnde the Austria:n co____ider in Albania While -fc-bese operataa—s are being pushed forward energetkaliy, the Alba——— naval base. Dm"azzo. has been cwpvm red -by an Anglo-It—li—n force. Truly, the arms of Britain are many and lornr. The Austrian force in Albania may not be very large, but its destine—on or dispersal will still f_r_ler weaken the moral of the Austrian army and ; people.