COMMENT AND CONJECTURE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 30 September 1918, Page 5

COMMENT AND CONJECTURE.

■_nv — SPEACE LIKELY TQ HAVE GREAT EFFECT. ESPECIALLY WITH TURKEY. GENUINENESS OF OFFER. TX.UBTED BY SERBIA AND GREECE. LONDON, Sept. 28. Londoners acquainted with Bulgarian politics readily believe that King Ferdinand was not consulted. They desc:"bf., Malinoff as an ultra-democrat and likely to take a.strong revolutionary hue during the crisis. His appointment to the Premiership displeased . Germany owing to his former pro-Ally y especially pro-Russian, leaningT— Time.

• WASHINGTON, Sept. 28. General Marsh in- an interview, .claimed that Bulgaria's request wa_ tn© direct outcome of the arrival of Americans m France.Through the pre-

r sence of the United States' army Germany was unable to withdraw forces from France to succor Bulgaria. Consequently the Bulgars 6ay they must make the best terms they can get.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON. Sept. 28. It is understood that the view in official circles is that peace with Bulgaria would have a prodigious effect, especially with Turkey. It would free the whole of the Salonika army, and in certain eventualities in connection with Turkey, would also free the Palestine and Mesopotamia armies, and kill the German menace in the East. Moreover, it would probably affect advantageously the world's food situation. These results would only be obtainable by the complete rupture of the political and military relations of Bulgaria with the Central Powers, and the Allies' occupation of the communications between Bulgaria and AustriaHungary. Presumably this will be one of the essentials of an armistice.— Reuter.

NEW YORK, Sept. 28. The New York Times' Washington correspondent say© that opinion regarding the sincerity of the Bulgarian armistice request is divided in official circles.Many high officials believe the plea is not intended to be part of Germany's peace offensive. • Allied diplomats were expecting a peace move by Bulgaria, which was precipitated by Germany's refusal to send reinforcements to the Bulgarian army. According to well-informed' persons, Malinoff started separate steps immediately after Germany's refusal.

Serbian and Greek diplomatic circles are inclined to regard the Bulgarian action as to intrigue to gain time. The New York Times, commenting on the request, says: "If there is any armistice it i should be to' receive Bulgaria's surrender. Pe_.ce should not be mentioned while Bulgarians remain on Serbian or Roumanian soil.—Aus. ?N.Z. Cable Assn.