THE CAMPAIGNS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17614, 19 October 1917, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGNS

Accoßnixc to a German journal one of the objects of the Kaiser's visit to Bulgaria and Turkey was to hearten hi 3 allies to undertake offensive campaigns. Bulgaria is to he inspired to attack the British, French and Serbians in Macedonia before the Greek army is ready to participate in the campaign. Turkey, wo have no doubt. is to be urged to throw her whole weight into von Falkenhayn's longpromised offensive in Mesopotamia. It needs no great effort: of the imagination to believe that both countries are tired of the war. Both have had their share of' fighting during the last decade, and in Bulgaria's caseit was only the assurance of a swift and complete victory that could have induced cooperation with the Central Powers. It is not very long since the Bulgarian Premier declared that his country had achieved all that it. desired and that its policy thenceforth was to be defensive. Ferdinand's Government must be in a state of anxiety at the moment regarding the condition of both /Germany and Austria. Ferdinand himself disappeared from public view some months ago—-the story goes thati ho is being "nursed" in Germany to. pre-

vent trouble in Bulgaria—and it is very probable tbat he left Sofia to avoid tho rising indignation of tho people, who lay tho wholo responsibility for their long suffering at his door. And yet it is possible thajt the Bulgarians may be induced to take tho offensive in Macedonia. If tho German control in Sofia were anything liko as completo as tho German control in Constantinople wo might say that an offensive was certain. With tho prospect of active Greek intervention in the course of a few months the wise course for the Bulgarians would assuredly be the opening of a powerful offensive against Sarrail's forces. This proposition, it is understood, was submitted to the Bulgarians some months ago, but they replied that nothing could be done unless the Germans and Austrians supplied a strong striking force, sufficient guns and an ample supply of munitions- There is reason to believe that tho Bulgarians lack equipment and transport, and their food stocks are certainly not abundant. ■ With the probability of quieter conditions in the west the Germans may be able to spare a few divisions for Macedonia, but, on the other hand, they are already committed to new enterprises in the Riga region. The Russian forces on Ocscl Island are reported now to bo completely isolated from tho mainland and their subjugation is only a matter of time. The Germans claim that tho naval operations in the Gulf of Riga and in -the neighbouring waters have gone in their favour- There is no movement of importance in tho west or on tho front.