The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-10-09


Zaimis, former premier, to form q
ca binet.
London, Oct. Given the great
est battles of the war may prove to
have had less weight in deciding the
future Of Europe than the events Of
the past few days in the Southeastern
kingdoms. While reports from Sofia
via Petrograd tonight say Russia has
broken off diplomatic relations with
Bulgaria, King Constantine of Greece,
brother-in-law of the German en-
peror, appears to hold the balance of
power of the Near East for the hour.
In the second crisis where Greece
seemed on the brink of entering the
war by the side Of the entente powers,
he has virtually dismissed the fore
most Greek statesman, Eluetherois
VenizelOs, from the premiership, and
has asserted personal control of the
government.
King Ferdinand of Bulgaria has re-
turned an unsatisfactory reply to
Russia's ultimatum demanding that
she break with the central powers and
expel German officers who have
staff, and at the same time, accord
ing to several correspondents, has
sent an ultimatum to Servia, allow
ing a time limit of "a hours for the
cession of Macedonia to Bulgaria
Russia is said to have placed Russian
interests in charge of the Dutch
charge d'affaires at Sofia.
The programme of the Germanic
empires apparently includes the con-
solidation of their field operations
with their Turkish allies by sweep
ing clear a path from Berlin and
Vienna to Constantinople. For the
accomplishment of this programme
they have already secured the CO.
operation of Bulgaria. They need the
neutrality of Greece and Roumania
and then must crush Servia.
Todays' developments tend to con-
| firm the statements of the German
press that the German emperor has
guaranteed to Bulgaria both Greek
and ROumanian neutrality. Thus the
crucial field of warfare has shifted
from the French and Russian fronts
to the Balkan peninsula, where Ger
man success would mean the real
ization of Emperor Williams am
bitions for expansion toward India
and Asia.
| The people of the entente nations
fully appreciate the crisis British
newspapers inform the public that if
the German emperor has secured the
friendly neutrality of the king OF
Greece, enormous military efforts will
be needed to check the combined
German and Austrian advance toward
a junction with the Turks and Bull
garians.
The French and British expedition
may have completed the landing at
Saloniki, but if Greek support against
Bulgaria can not be counted on heavy
reinforcements will be needed.
While technically King Constantine
accepted the resignation of NJ
Venizelos, his action amounted to dis
missal of the premier. The Greek
chamber has approved the premier's
merely formal protest against the
allies landing on Greek soil and his
declaration that Greece was bound by
treaty and vital interests to go to Ser
Was aid without waiting for a dec
laration of war by Bulgaria, by a ma
jority of 40 in house of PSI, of
whom 13 abstained from voting.
The majority may have appeared
not large one for committing the
country to war and thus the king ma,
nave felt justified in informing the
premier that he could not pursue the
cabinets policy to the end. A coali.
ton cabinet without NJ. Venizelos
probably will be formed with ex-
Premier Zaimis at the head.
The possibility that Greece may try
to remain neutral fearing to stake the
nations fate on the success of either
party to the great war is recognized
in England, although it is considered
small. The hopes of the entente
powers are that popular sentiment is
with them and that the king NAV find
it best to bow before the will of the
people as ne has done before. French
officials declare that the landing of
the allied troops will take its course
and that the Greek people have given
them an enthusiastic reception.
Bulgarian repohts saying mobiliza-
ton is being completed rapidly, that