BULGARIA BREAKS DOWN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10088, 30 September 1918, Page 5

BULGARIA BREAKS DOWN

REQUEST FOR ARMISTICE REFUSED PEACE DELEGATION SENT TO ALLIED COMMANDER ... , By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, b - ■ ■ . NEW Yl>RI& September 27. Bulgaria is reported to have asked fpt an armistice. The request is reported to be likely to lead to a revolutionary outbreak. The Bulgarian Minister of Finance (M. Laiptchoff), and Oeneraa Loukon are en route to French Headquarters to discuss pence terms. King Ferdinand J^U TTie ll Frencli ‘ Commander-ih-Cliiel in the .I&MPS refused the request for an armistice,' hut agreed ‘to receive the peac^'delegates. , The Washington correspondent of thp, |emni« that Die State Department 'has deceived official' Bulgaria. 'UDfi offered an armistice to the Allies., . ■,. .. ’ ; „ , . ... Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, and Mr Balfour are conferring with reference''to' Bulgarians "offer." - LONDON, September 27. It is officially reported from Germany that M. Malinoff; the' Premier of Bulgaria, proposed an armistice .to, the Entente. . ■ Berlin declares that M. iMalinoff was not supported by the King or .Cabinet. ' , : ' - * ' PLENIPOTENTI ARi ES VISIT AIL lED HEADQUARTERS Australian and New Zealand Cable Association, '(Received' September' 29* 5,§. _ ■-- , • PARIS, September 27. The Bulgarian plenipotentiaries visited tffo Headquarters .of General Desperey, the Commander' of the Allied forces, and - proposed .an armistice with a view" to the conclusion of peace, , Genera} Deßperey replied that > be could not grant an aiTffistice, but would transmit, the proposal to his Government. ‘ •• • • - • Reuter’s Telegrams. , PARIS, .September 27. Genera Desperey said he wa# unable to-gran.t, eitherau armistice or an interruption of the’ fighting, but would receive - the Bulgarian delegates if they presented, themselves' before the- British linear with a flag’ of - truce. PROPOSAL CAUSES SENSATION |N GERMANY PRESS OUTCRY AGAINST BULGARIAN. PREMIER. Published in “The-Tunes.” ‘ , {ReCeiVOd ■ The Amsterdam correspondent; of-'“Tihe Time*”; reports:— M. Malin-oiJ’js proposed armistice caused a sensation in Germany. It u believed to be due to'Hiiideuburg refusing sufficient reinforcements. :> . Berlin reports that the, German Government is lodging a solemn protest. The press demands that M. Malinoff be immediately eourt-maxtialled ior high trea Londpner» acquainted with Bulgarian politic? readily believe.'tHaff'King Ferdinand ' was jiot consulted. Tiiey describe JVf, Malinoff as ultraDemocratic and likely to take a strong revolutionary line duringsd crisis. Hia appointment to the Premiership displeased Germany.owing; .'far'his former pro-Alley (especially pro-Russian), leaning.- ' .-t—.* ■'* • Australian and New Zealand 1 Cable Association. (Received September—29 r --5.5—p.m.) - - ' COPENHAGEN, September 27. A Berlin official message says that the Bulgarian Premier proposed an armistice, but the offer was net BupporteThj: other . Bulgarian. Ministers or King Ferdinand. The message adds thalpJ|»rfg;TO}htillW measures wall be taken to support the Bulgarian front. I j' ’ (Received September., 23, ,5,5 .p.m.). . • ' NEW YORK, September 28. Groat Britain refused an armistice to'Bulgaria,' but agreed to listen. tc peace overtures. ! -—- There is a panic on thp Berlin Stock Exchange. REQUEST-ADDRESSED TO ALL ALLIES . OFFER BELIEVED TO BE QUITE GENUINE. • (Received September 29, 5,5 p.m.) . , - - LONDON, September 23, •' -Jt is understood that Great Britain i? consulting the Allies regarding Bulgaria’s offer. -An answer embodying- willbe sent as soon as pos- - Assistant Foreign Secretary, Lord Robert Cecil, interviewed, stated that Bulearm-Kdaressed a formal and definite request for an armistice pre-■naiatS-v' to’ peace to all the Allied Governments. There was no confirmation of the German statement that At. Malinoff made -the offer ■ without confirmation of his Cabinet. *T don’t believe the offer is e tnok. If it uwe wont be caught,”- added Lord Cecil. 1 - • VAST POSSIBILITIES BREWED UP GERMAN 3IENACE TO EAST ‘ MAY BE KILLED. Router’s Telegrams. (Received September 30, 12.10 a.m.) „ ' ' LONDON, September 29. It is understood that thp view held in official oiroles 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 freo the Palestine and Mesopotamia Armies and kill the Gorman mepaoc to the East,. Moreover,' it would probably affect advantageously the world’s food situation. These results are only obtainable by a complete rupture of the nuliteiy relations Of Bulgaria with the Central Powers and tho Allied occupation of communications' between Bulgaria and Aiisfro-Hungary. Presumably this ..will' bo ono ;of the essentials of ail armistice. ’ AA*' ci l. no , 1 ‘ ’ .. PARIS, September 28. • Later information regarding the Bulgarian, situation states that a high Bulgarian officer brought a letten to the British Ooramantbr-in-Gbief from the •Bulgar Generalissimo asking for forty-eight, hous’ suspension of hostlities and mentioning that Bulgaria proposed to send the Minister for Finance and the Commander of the Second Army on behalf of the Government, with King Ferdinand’s approval, to discuss the terms of an armistice, BULGARIA OUT OF THE WAR DEFINITE .DECISION TO ABANDON TEUTONS. Australian and-Now Zealand Gable Association, (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) • WASHINGTON. September 28. The Bulgarian Minister, M. Panateroff, . has issued the following statement: —‘‘Bulgaria is out of the war.” , ~, , - M' Panateroff also assorts that Bulgaria has definitely decided to abandon the Teutons. If.the Allies refuse to consider the Bulgarian proposals, Bulgaria will appeal to the United States to use its good offices. Bulgaria s claims can be reconciled with those President Wilson laid down. Ihe DM" gars never-took exception to those principles, and Bulgaria,is willing to allow President Wilson to settle' thorn and wil abide by his decision. Bulgaria is satisfied that Serbia must have an Adriatic outlet. •‘The New York Times” Washington correspondent says that opinion regarding tho sincerity of tho Bulgarian avmistihe request is divided in official circles. Many high officials believe that the plea ip not intended to be part of Gcrmanv’s peace offensive. Allied diplomats were expecting a peace move by Bulgaria,- which was precipitated bv Germany’s refusal to senr reinforcements to the Bulgarian Army. According to well-informed persons, Mr Malinoff started separate pence steps immediately after Gbmiany’s refusal. Serbian and Greek diplomatic circles are inclined to regard the Bulgarian action as intrigue to gain time. . t ‘ Tho ’’New York Times,” commenting on the request, saj’s: —“If there is any Armistice "it should bo to receive Bulgarians surrender. Peace should not be mentioned while Bulgarians remain 0« Serbian or Roumanian soil.”

NO HELP POSSIBLE FROM GERMANY

Australian and Mow Zealand Cable Association. (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) NEW ' (/UK, Soptcmbor 23. The United States Chief of Staff, General .March, in nu interview, claimed that Bulgaria’s request was the direct, outcome of the arrival of Americans Ul Trance’. Through the presence of the United States Army Germany was iliable to withdraw forces from France to succour Bulgaria, and consequenty the Bulgurs saw that they must make tho best tonus they could gel. BRITISH lsN POSSESSION OF SOUTHERN GATEWAY LONDON, September 27. A British Salonika message states; — 'file British entered Struumit/ji yesterday morning. The British and Greeks stormed tho heights of tho Bclnchitza MenuBULGARIAN ARBI3Y FACED WITH DISASTER RETIRING IN DISOKDii.iI BEFORE THE SERBIANS. LONDON, September 27. Major-General F. B. Maurice writes: —• ’No., the French have occupied I’rilep ami the Serbians have captured the Popadiya Mountains, which are among tho main heights of the Babuua Tne Seroiaus arc already considerably nearer Uskub than General Jcsof's can only retire by one road to Kritehovo, which is completely separated trom the vest of the Bulgarians by the Karadwitse Mountains. They can only retire if the centre group, which is retiring in disorder before the Ser- • biaus, manages to cheek the advance in the Vardar Valley and covers Uskub. Tile Serbians are'already considerably nearer I'sknb than General Jcsofs Army. 11 the Serbians get there first the arqiy will be cut off altogether tram the railway, and ill have to find its way through the mountains a; best it may, without a prospect of being supplied with food or munitions. Wo may be certain that the enemy is doing everything to rush up troops under cover of Uskub, which is pregnant with possibilities. The Serbians are able to fight well on rations which mean starvation to the-British, but they must have ammunition. Wo must remember that they are already a loug way from their railway. LONDON, September 27. Before the Bulgarian lino gave wav the fighting was very severe. Tho Bulgarians put up a determined resistance, .sustaining heavy losses. The, present situation of the Bulgarian Army is dangerous. If the Allies reach Uskub, the effect will probably bo decisive, and will mean the complete defeat >i tht Buigai-xn Arno Oca. tei- days marching and fighting in the mountains, however, makes the organisation of communications difficult. Thcrottfro, we cannot depend on securing decisive results, but tho enemy has sustained such heavy casualties and losses of material that the enemy's recovery failing effective support from the Central Powers, is extremely doubtful. .It is noteworthy that a great deal of the credit of the victory is due to tho British, whose persistent attacks at Doinui, iu lace, of heavy opposition,, prevented the enemy transferring reserves westward to meet the mam attack. STEADY PROGRESS OF THE OFFENSIVE GREAT CAPTURE OF PRISONERS AND MATERIAL. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. A Serbian communique, issued on Thursday evening, confirms the capture of Ishtip. Serbian cavalry pursuing the enemy entered Kochaue. A great number of additional Bulgarians and Germans has been taken prisoner. Enormous quantities of war materials have been captured, including several military trains. The Serbian cavalry has advanced 120 kilometres as tho crow flies northward of the line from which tho offensive started. Another Serbian communique, issued on Friday evening, states: Our troops on tho 26:h entered" Yeles, where we took the garrison prisoner. Our advance towards Uskub continues. Wo also progressed considerably beyond Kochane, taking an enormous additional number of prisoners, mostly 'Germans, also large quantities of material, including machine guns. ' Three mountain guns have been captured. (Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. September 27. A British official report, issued at Salonika, states: —British troops preceded by Yeomanry, entered Strumnitza on Thursday morning, while the Aaglo-Greeks .stormed the heights of tho Belachitza Mountains!’ Tho British have taken thirty guns. Tho Serbians are trying to cut tho Sofia-Drama railway. UNREMITTING ADVANCE NORTHWARDS IMPORTANT RAILWAY AND ROAD CLEARED. (Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) . LONDON, September 28. A French Eastern communique states:—The Allies are unremittingly advancing northwards. They have completely cleared tho Yardar railway ard the Monastir-Prilen-Gradsko road. Tho ‘British captured the town of Strumnitaa, Serbian cavalry by a bold push eastwards from Ishtip captured the town of Kochano. The Serbian armies have reached Karbintsi, north of Ishtip, and are now attacking the town of Voles, which is defended'* bv a German Jaegar battalion with disorganised Bulgarian elements. The Allies, advancing from Prilep, flung back tho left wing of tho 11th GcrmandBulgarian Army. On the mountain region west of Krnchcvo the Italians have already reached the neighbourhood of Krnchcvo. AUSTBIAHSTYAGUATE ALBANIA Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association. (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) , . . NEW YORK, September 23. ine Austrians are evacuating Albania.