The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915. THE BALKAN STATES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14698, 1 September 1915, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915. THE BALKAN STATES.

Predictions regarding the intentions of tho Balkan States have so often proved untrustworthy that nothing but definite action by all or either of them will prove convincing to the public. For more than

a year Bulgaria, Roumania, and Greece have been maintaining their equilibrium on the tight-rope of neutrality, and according to The Times’ Balkan correspondent, the diplomatic conflict has reached its height. The national existence of each of these States may depend upon the choice that it makes between the rival groups of belligerent Powers, hence the extreme caution and the prolonged consideration before making tbo choice. Germany is backing up her diplomacy by a display of forces, with a view, of intimidating Roumauia. Cables to-day report that a force of 200,000 Germans have arrived near the Roumanian frontier, and detachments are taking up positions in the mountains, probably in the Bukowina region and adjoining Galicia. Roumanian statesmen have not hesitated to give utterance to anti-German views, while theirs 'are entirely in harmony with Italy, with which, as a fellow-Latin State, Roumania is in close sympathy. Germany lias lately become more and more insistent in demanding that Roumania shall allow munitions to pa§s through her territory into Turkey. It is expected that Germany will shortly present an ultimatum to Rouniania on this point, but the signs indicate that Roumania will not budge from her position, which she has taken up in strict accordance with her duty as a neutral. Tho Roumanian Government has commandeered all railway material for Government use as from September 14th, which suggests that the possibility of having to mobilise the army by that date is realised.

Another point of importance in to-day’s cables concerning tho Balkan States is the suggestion of The Times’ Balkan correspondent that the advent of Veuezelos to power may turn the scale in the direction of the three States adopting a conciliatory attitude towards each other, which of course is essentially necessary before au agreement can be arrived at. Rome papers state that Servia is still holding back, and her hesitancy is said to be responsible for Bulgaria’s uncertain action. A few days ago it was reported re the French Press that Bulgaria was on the eve of arriving at a definite agreement with Servia, that State undertaking to accept the award, of the Triple Entente Powers as to the allocation of territory after the war. This, if true, could only be construed as an indication that the Triple Entente' Powers had promised Buigaria that she should receive Servian Macedonia—the price that she demanded —in return for joining in 4ho war on the side of the Allies. Once a settlement is effected between Servia and Bulgaria, the menace of an attack from Bulgaria would bo from Roumania, who would be free to act in accordance' with her anti-German policy. The fact of 200,000 or 400,000 Germans on her frontier would not greatly perturb her. ' I