THE BLOW TO BULGARIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 28 September 1918, Page 6

THE BLOW TO BULGARIA.

While the 'energetic and simultaneous blows delivered by the Allies in concert have resulted in the complete shattering of the enemy front in Macedonia, it has been reserved for the British forces to accomplish the dramatic feat of the campaign, the entry into. Bulgaria. A rapid dash into enemy territory on the heels of retreating and demoralised defenders is an achievement peculiarly adapted to react powerfully upon the allies of Germany, all of whom are regarding the future with lively apprehension. Apart from its psychological influence, the British ad\ance opens up possibilities of incalculable importance if developed with the same speed and energy as have characterised the opening of the offensive. By the advance into the Upper Strumnitza Valley, the Bulgarian force still clinging to its positions in the Belashitza Mountains, east of Lake Doiran, may be forced to retire uncovering the valley of the Struma, which is the natural highway to Sofia from the south. The Bulgarian capital still lies far ahead )» the tide of invasion, but the Servians, at the head of the allied wedge, have shown how rapidly such iistances may be compassed. The kalians and.Servians have effected i complete cleavage of the Bulgarian orces. Germany is so busily em>loyed with her own affairs as o be little disposed to spare nbstantial assistance to her orely-harassed ally. • Turkey and Bulgaria have long been living in | nutual mistrust engendered by dis-1 ensiona regarding the division of he spoils torn from Roumania. sven without the moral effect of a battering blow from the Allies the! Bulgarians have for some time j hown signs of a belated repentance ' or having thrown in their lot with he Central Powers. The King has lisappeared into Germany, The rectionary Cabinet which involved , Bulgaria in the war has been dislaced by a Ministry whose allegincc to Germany is less certain, altogether Bulgaria has shown a • rowing realisation that, having i own the wind, she must in due ' ourse expect to reap the whirlwind, nvasion of her territory, and even a istant threat to her capital should o much to strengthen this convicion, and it is gratifying that British roops should figure in this dramatic irn of the campaign.