The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1913. THE BALKAN ENIGMA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14044, 26 July 1913, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1913. THE BALKAN ENIGMA.

Op all the strange revenges that die whirligig of time has brought, surely none could be stranger than the tragic fall of Bulgaria from the zenith'of triumph io the nadir of despair. By her brief frenzy of mad Jealousy and greed she bus thrown away the . fruits of her victories over Turkey—victories bought by a quarter of a century of patient, thorough, self-deny-ing military preparation and organisation. In the exultation of the complete victory which had been conjointly obtained by the Allies over Turkey, Bulgaria in her hour of triumph determined, to deprive her partners of the Turkish territory which they had conquered with their own troops, and which they still held. In accordance with that determination ,the Bulgarian army, under General Ivanoff, attacked the Servians in the disputed territory of Macedonia, and pushing them baek in a series of sanguinary batles, actually invaded Servia, penetrating Servian territory for a. distance of 18 miles, burning Servian villages and torturing and massacring the hapless villagers as they marched forward. It is clear, despite Bulgarian denials-, that they behaved with the most atrocious treachery towards their late allies, and witli the -most appalling cruplty, even to the non-combatants who fell into their hands. They paid the penalty with dramatic suddenness and completeness. Nemesis canic upon them when they were caught in a mountain pass, and attacked on both sides simultaneously. , Fighting their way back, they found their retreat cut off by Servian and Greek battalions and artillery coming up from the south.' Close to the old frontier line between Turkey and Bulgaria they mot their Sedan, General Ivauofl' and his whole array having to capitulate. Following up their successes, the victorionß Servians and Greeks drove the .Bulgarians before, them, for in the most bewildering fashion the military power of Bulgaria suddenly collapsed; and,:as a result of that collapse; not onljr Roumania, but .also Turkey, made a forward move. The latter, rousing herself from the stupor of her defeat, again entered Adrianoplo almost without opposition, the fleeing Bulgarians contenting thcnuolves with blowing up a few Government buildings and the ammunition depots. The Roumanians Joined forces with those of Servia and Greece on their march to Bulgaria’s capital (Sofia), which is now practically surrounded by half a million of the troops of the three.Allied States. Exhausted as she is, there is some danger that unless Bulgaria can procure powerful support iu her extremity she may be wiped off the map, or at any rate compelled' to buy peace at the price of huge cbnccSßlbus of, .territory:." . . J; , ,