The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1916. DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1916. DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BALKANS.

The news of the French advance in the Balkans is somewhat of a surprise, as it was generally considered that the Aus-tro-Germans and Bulgarians were prepared to resist to the utmost any forward movement of the Allies. The fact remains, however, that the 'trench have made good use of their opportunity by crossing the Vardar river and establishing themselves in strong natural positions. The French have been holding the left flank of the Allied line, and, being strongly reinforced from Salonika, made an important advance, securing a line of heights about eight miles west of the Vardar, whereby the defences of Salonika are very materially improved and the base made far niorc ; secure. It seems difficult to understand why they were permitted to secure this advantageous position unopposed." The only feasible explanation is that the enemy was compelled to transfer to the Danube those forces which were intended to keep the Allies in check at Salonika, the reason for the transfer being the massing of Russian troops on the northern frontier of Roumania. There can be no question that Russia has once again proved of great service to the Allies by her strong offensive in Galicia and Bukowina. It is stated that the Russiar. < offensive on the southern front is bepressed with undiminished vigor, the vffiw being taken in some quarters In London that tile Russian and French movements .mark the opening of a new phase in the Balkans. Concurrently with the favorable news already mentioned eomo further reports relative to Roumania joining the Allies, while, as an offset, a recent cable from Rome stated that it was believed Germany was preparing to attack Roumania. If that is Germany's intention she will have to strike before Roumania is prepared. During a recent interview, while on a visit lo Russia, the Roumanian War Minister said: ''We are firmly convinced that in a short time Roumania will abandon her neutrality in favor of the Allies. We are almost ready." It is well known that' Roumanian policy has been guided by selfifish molivw —above every consideration was that of safety. But; that State Is not altogether blameworthy in this respect, for though she can muster over a million armed men, her one great need is munitions, and the present; war has demonstrated the fact that victories go to the side which has the greatest gun power and the most effective supply of high explosives. Without adequate guns and munitions Roumania would only be courting disaster to attack the Central Powers. Either Britain, France or Russia will have to supply Roumania with guns and munitions, unleai Gar.

I many gets in first ami crushes Roumania. In the movements which are taking place among the Allied forces in the Balkans, in Bessarabia, and the Caucasus, there can be traced the results of coordination consequent on that perfect union which is the outcome of joint Jar councils. It was' the Russian activity in Galicia that caused five Austro-Ger-man divisions to be withdrawn from the Balkans and thus paVe the way for ihe French advance .on the-' Vardar, and incidentally establish the fact that the Allies are firmly settled a .Salonika, where they have also the support of 100.000 Serbian troops. This had an appreciable effect on Greece and Roumania, but the main point is that the Allies are slowly but surely drawing round the Central Powers that ring of steel which will surely render them impotent. • All eyes are now turnjjUfto the Balkans, and developments" t'here will be washed with increasing interest, for though the decisive struggle may, and probably will, be in the West, there is every prospect of the Balkans proving to "do the main factor in the downfall of the AustroGenu&ns.