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Southland Times, Issue 17470, 26 March 1915, Page 4

Tlie reports coming Trom neutral countries all point one way, but no neutral country has yet taken a decisive step, it is said, however, that the last hours of Italy’s inaction arc rapidly running out, and it is even hinted that Austria and Germany, with 400,000 men ready on the Italian frontier, are merely waiting until the last shred of doubt is removed in order to strike the first blow, it is not improbable. Germany's theory of war has as one of its principles: "fight wherever possible in the enemy’s territory.” and it would suit Germany very well to seize part of Lombardy and Veuetia, and if possible one or two large cities. It has been repeatedly stated, however, that Italy is mobilised and if she has troops anywhere it is on the Austrian border, and in number they ought to he to the Austro-German army as tw f o to one. Bulgaria is said to be convinced that Italy is about to abandon neutrality, and a conference is reported between King Ferdinand (a Hohenzollcrn), and the leader of the Social Democratic party with a

View to a coalition Ministry should Bulgaria follow Italy’s example. We are alpo told that the pro-Entente feeling waned somewhat when the three battleships were lost in the Dardanelles on the 18th Inst., but that enthusiasm tor the Allies was restored by the capture of Przemysl. Finally, according to an Athens newspaper, President Poincare has Informed Greece that in the light of coming events she will find neutrality inconsistent with the maintenance of her rights and the integrity of her territory, and Greek opinion Is that Greece cannot assist the Allies except conjointly with Bulgaria. These reports all promise very well for the Allies and there la doubtless a substratum of truth in them, but since it is impossible to say how far they are reliable and how far they are misleading they can only be accepted with the reservations that prudence dictates.