COLLAPSE OF BULGARIA,

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16983, 17 October 1918, Page 6

COLLAPSE OF BULGARIA,

ADVANTAGES TO ALLIES.

ROUMANIA READY .TO STRIKE.

LONDON, Oct. 10.

. It is the unanimous verdict of the press that the Balkans has again upheld its reputation as a land of endless possibilities. .

All writers emphasise that the Bulgarian arrangement is purely military, and was dictated by the needs of the present situation. The Allies have no intention of interfering with the domestic affairs of the Bulgarians, who " Can keep Ferdinand if they want him."

Not the smallest effect of Bulgaria's defection. is the automatic liberation Of two-thirds of Servian territory, while the possession of Uskub gives the Allies a footing on tho railway offering access to the heart of Old Servia and Striking direct against Austria.

I The Times military critic, Mr. Henry Sidabotham, discussing the effect of Buigaria's defection on Germany, thinks "that the latter is hardly likely to adopt the despairing policy enunciated by the Vorwarts, but instead of settling down to a passive defence on her owu frontiers, is more likely to endeavour to punish Bulgaria, and try to save some portion of 'her eastern ambitions. This would only be possible by a wholesale evacuation of Franca and Belgium west of tie Meuse, halving the west front, and by this means increasing her defensive strength, and finding men to stiffen Austria's defence on the new front.

; The Times to-day' says that Bulgaria's submission is the first clear and unmistakable evidence that the enemies' confederacy is tottering, but German militarism will fight to the death. Great military Powers like those of the Central Empires will continue a prolonged and. obstinate resistance, and the Allies most drive the blow home till Germany sues {or peace as'humbly and unreservedly as Bulgaria has done.

Referring to the reports that 250,000 Austrian and German troops have been despatched to Bulgaria from Roumania, the Journal des Debata says that Roumania is thrilled with hope, and is ready for self-liberation and revenge, if the enemy garrison is depleted. M. Take, Jonescu, Roumanian Ambassador in Paris, said in an interview that' when the Allies approach the border Roumania will take up arms and ignore the 1 so-callod peace. "We must ; recover the territory which -Bulgaria snatched from us," added the Ambassador, "as it is indispensable to our economic life." Reuter's Paris correspondent states that M, Take Jonescu says that in Roumania the entire nation detested the Central Powers. The Roumanian- Away might now have a fresh opportunity qjE. fiahung 1 the? common-enerayi • ■-' -