HOPES OF A BALKAN LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2359, 15 January 1915, Page 6

HOPES OF A BALKAN LEAGUE

■ ~—~~~* — : . Bucharest, November 20. Since the .beginning of the war Bucharest has been the'centre of -persistont efforts' to reconstruct the Balkan League. At the outset Servia and Greece were entirely opposed' to making concessions. to Bulgaria, and Bulgaria herself appeared to be entirely in the hands of the Austrians. Talaat Bey's visit _ here, ostensibly to discuss the question of' the' Aegean Isles with Greece, in reality had for its object the conclusion of a Turco-Bulgarian-Ruman-ian/entente against Russia. From the outset, however, Talaat Bey saw tlmt it would be' impossible to draw Humana into such a combination, and, he himself was advised that it .would be better for Turkey to remain outside hostilities. ■■ After tho battle of Lemberg, Bulgarian sentiment underwent a slight modification, and'further efforts wero mado/in the direction of a reconstitution of the Balkan League, but again without success. It is now known here that the Powers of the Triple Entento aro working in tho same direction, and 1 am able to state that so far from any obstacles being raised in Bucharest, , Rumania will counsel both Servia and Greece to accept the advice of the Entente Powers. It is realised that the. efforts of the Triple Entente would/be powerfully aided by.-.an-'understanding amongst ■ the Balkan States, that tho intervention of Turkey would be nullified, and the advance of Austria into Servia impeded! Without such an accord, should Bulgaria Tange herself on, the side of Austria the. military forces of both Grcoee and Rumania, instead of affording help to the Ententp forces, would .be obliged to confront the Turkish and Bulgarian Armies. The . present Bulgarian Minifitry is believed here to be Austrophil and to be relying upon an ultimate German victory. The nation, on tho other hand, is in sympathy with Russia, and the Opposition in particular would oppose any action against the Triple Entento Powers.—"Morning Post" correspondent. The remainder of this mMSfge was deleted by. tha Censor.