THE AUSTRO-GERMAN MENACE IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2554, 31 August 1915, Page 5

THE AUSTRO-GERMAN MENACE IN THE BALKANS

CHECK TO ENEMIf ON. IHE DAPE DIPLOMATIC ISSUES IN THE BALANCE . ■ i ■ , ■ . ' ■ ' By Telegraph—Press Asseciition—Copyright • ' Nlsh, August 29. Official.—"Wo stopped tho enemy's operations on the Island of Malastratclieva'on tho Danube,'also at Jositchinabara, opposite Skela (twenty miles west of Belgrade). ... „■ All Servians! between eighteen and fifty years of age, living abroad, have been called up. - ' AUSTRIAN CONCENTRATION ON SERBO-RUMANIAN FRONTIER, London, August 29. . The "Daily Telegraph's" Bucharest correspondent learns, that the Austrian aro massing troops on tlio, Scrbo-Rumanian frontier. \ THE BULGAR AND THE SERB INFLUENCE OF KING FERDINAND IN THE SITUATION, :■ ' ; . : ' \ ; ■■ • ■ London', August 29. Sir Edwin Pears (an authority on the Balkans) in an interview in . tlie "Daily Chronicle,'' says: "If Bulgaria secures a promise from iServia and the Allies! that Macedonia will be restored to her, 1 believe that, despite King Ferdinand, , who has Austrian leanings, she will come in, and if'she joins the Allies, Greece will follow. King Ferdinand is a born diplomat, and began his lifo as ,an Austrian officer. He possesses vast estates in Hungary. He is vain and ambitious, and T fear unscrupulous. The foreign policy, owing to tho. Bulgarians' group system, is alrpost • entirely in his - hands.' Nevertheless, Bulgaria, is democratio in namo and may become in a crisis like the present democratic in reality. King Ferdinand regards Bulgaria as the Prussia of the Balkans. I fancy he even once made preparations for his own coronation as tho Byzantine Emperor in Saint Sophia. It would'be,a mistake to over-estimate the influence possessed by royal families, but it must not be undor-estimated.At this moment in Rumania, Bulgaria, Greece,' Sweden- and Russia'there are strong pro-German elements in Court. The democracy, however," -mostly takes a different view. I am sure the Bulgarians, but for their chagrin ovor the second Balkan war, would long since have joined us." > ' . The Queen of Greece. . "Regarding Greeco, the Queen, who has great influence with King Con. stantine,: quite recently brought Greeco within measurable distance of a revolution. M. Yenizelos's concern to-day is rather how far he can rely on tho Army, which is not inclined to tako great risks. M. Venizelos is' in favour of conciliating Bulgaria, and, for adequate compensation, would per-haps-,'surrender Kavalla. '. Had Greece joined the Allies originally -she" would have had . the province of; Aiden, with- Smyrna as a capital. Even now the v abominable Turkish outrages on tho Greeks at Aivali make it certain that tho' Allies' success, if Greece supports them, would imply a very large extension of territory in Asia Minor. i.The Koy to the Situation. j "The key to the situation is an arrangement, between Bulgaria aiid Serbia. If Serbia surrenders Macedonia this will ensure the aid probably of Rumania and - Greece. The King of Rumania, as a Hohenzollern,.naturally looks towards Germany, but. this in itself is insufficient to keep Rumania neutral. She, like Bulgaria, is somewhat afraid that Russia's success would imply tho occupation of Constantinople and consequently the trausformation of tho Balkans into , Russian provinces. The danger from their standpoint, is less great than formerly. The German alliance with Turkey compels them to favour Russia rather than the Teutons._ Rumania is populous, wealthy and powerful. I am hopeful that hrir relations with Bulgaria and Russia will soon-enable her'to participate in the war,. Future of Turkey. "Regarding Turkey's future, if tho Dardanelles aro forced she must leave Europe. • Sho has lost the Aegeans, arid will lose part of Asia Minor. Adrianoplo will revert to Bulgaria My solution would bo to oreato . Constantinople and the country surrounding tho Sea of Marmora and tho Dardanelles, into an international State governed by an international commission,. similar to the Danubian, which has successful. Constantinople and tho Dardanelles would bo unfortified, : inasmuch',as tho new State would, bo guaranteed internationally, and defences would bo unnecessary." • A TOUR OF THE BALKAN CAP ITALS. • ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, August 29. Tho "Times'', correspondent at Athens has visited the different Balkan States since the crisis became acute, enjoying favourable opportunities of ascertaining t!ho best opinion in the four capitals, besides being granted interviews with M.. Pasitch and M. Venizelos, tho Serbian and Greek Premiers respectively. "Until August 10," he says.. "Serbian attitude was strongly opposed to Macedonian concessions; then there, ivas a marked change. Tho Government remained theoretically . unwilling to concede Bulgaria's 1912 claims, and would not_ acquiesce in a junction of Bulgaria aiid Albania. It insisted on the necessity, of 'an open way to Salonika. Nevertheless, the -tone of the Sorbian Government was so conciliatory and so disposed to entertain-the proposals that it seemed evident that only straightforwardness on Bulgaria's part was ; needed to achieve an understanding. "Simultaneously,, Germanophile circles in Sophia- stated that a strong Austro.German attack on tho Serbian. , f j-onticr been fixed for. b.e»

tween Septomber ! 10 and 15. It is assorted tliat the Kaiser declared his intention of finally, wiping Serbia off tho map while tho Germans were en route to Constantinople. The Serbian Government was, however, not impressed by tho threat. Greece's continued sympathy with the Allies remains unimpaired. M. Yenizelos assured mo to that effect to-day." BLOW AT SERVIA EXPECTED IN A FEW DAYS 1 (Rec. August'3o, 11.40 p.m.) London, 'August 30. "Tlio Times" correspondent at Bucharest states that Austria and Germany are using every means to can so war between Bulgaria and her neighbours, whilo tho Entente Powers are trying to promoto an understanding on the basis of Serbian and Grecian concessions to Bulgaria. ■ Competent experts expect that the German invasion of Serbia will begin in a few days. ABSENT RUMANIAN OFFICERS RECALLED. . (Rec. August 30, 11.40 p.m.) Rome, August 30. All Rumanian officers at present in Switzerland have been recalled. TURCO-BULGARIAN PROTOCOL SIGNED REPORTED TRANSFER OF TERRITORY. • . • Paris, August 29. Tho "Matin's" Sofia correspondent states that a protocol has boon signed by which Turkey transfers to Bulgaria ten kilometres of territory eastward of Enos, and also cedes Ivaragach Station (the railway station of Adrianoplo, in a suburb on tho west sido of the River Maritza). The frontier will.then run to tho eastward of tho Maritza. Difficult-ids in the direction ef Midia are still unsettled.