THE BALKANS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11506, 30 September 1915, Page 1

THE BALKANS.

A WAITING GAME. j ATTITUDE OF BULGARIA. J USING HER ARMY AS A LEVER "Times" md Sydney "San" Services. \ (Received September 30, 0 a.m.) LONDON", September 20. | "'JPbe Times'a *' Balkan correspondent says that- the mobilisation of tho Bulgarian ansiy involves an acute j crisis. Peasants are arriving in thou- I sands at Sofia and other military oen- { tros, and the <?tveets are crowded, tho j quiet demeanour of the men affording j * remarkable contrast to the joyous J #ntlvu3uum displayed in Their departure from the villages was marked by touching crief an tlis part .

of women and children. The harvest is over m'd the men were willing to respond to the call, though obviously unenthusiastic. The peopla desire peace, and the Government, aware of this sentiment, will continue to act in accordance with ita declared intention to maintain strict neutrality, employing the army as a useful lover in diplomatic negotiations and avoiding th© obvious dangers. There is every reason to hope that neither the Government nor the country contemplates a rash movement. Th© "Petit Parisien'' says that the Bulgarian Minister in Vienna, after stating that Bulgarian mobilisation does not necessarily mean war, states: !t Bulgaria! pol'cy is Macedonia, which Bulgaria wishes to iicqniro either peacefully or "by force of arm®. No negotiations are possible between Serbia and Bulgaria. We want Maco donia unconditionally."