Evening journal., 1915-12-27
Yritten for the United PIGS.

Written for the United Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 27.-Germany
has won the overland pathway to her
place in the sun, as the close OF the
fighting of 1915 merges into the sec
ond winter of the European war. But
the seas still remain smut to the Teu-
tons and economic distress and food
scarcity are exerting a more pro-
nounced pressure for peace in the
Central Empires than among the other
belligerent nations.
The primary cause of the war has
been lost this year to both of the or
iginal participants. The conflict be-
gan over the irreconcilable Balkan diff
ference of Russia and Austro-Hungary.
Each power wanted to be supreme in
Southeastern Europe The end of
the fighting in 1915 finds Russia held
in check beyond the Balkan border,
while Austria Hungary is playing a
minor military part in Serbia. under
the direction of Marshal Won Macken-
sen and the German General STAFF.
German influences are now dominant
in the Balkans. The Kaiser has
wrested the first prize of the war
his own Southern ally as well.
Bulgaria's entrance into the con-
lict on the side of the Teutons has
been the years most important de-
velopment The military conse-
quences which have followed Bull
garia's action, have given to the Ger
mans a clear road from Berlin to
Bagdad. The Mesopotamian metropo-
lis has long been marked by German
statesmen to become the Berlin of the
middle East and the center of Ger
many's place in the sun. The years
events having opened for Germany
the rear entrance into Bagdad, the
Kaiser must continue to fight to the
point Of exhaustion for permanent
possession of this precious right OF
way. The British feet can prevent
Germany from expanding overseas
but it cannot block the road to the
new empire in the east. This is the
dominant reason for Germany's inter
est in Bagdad.
Campaign Against Bagdad.
An Anglo-Indian expedition. afte
twelve months toll northwarI
through Mesopotamia from the Per
sian Gulf is now trying to enter Bag
dad by the front door. But the Turks
under German leadership, have thrus
the invaders ninety miles to tn
south of Bagdad, and the city at tn
close of the year remains safe for th
Teutons. Nevertheless. during tn
years fighting, the British have car
tured the Garden of Eden and othe
territory between the Tigris and Er
pirates rivers, greatly desired b
Germany. If the German dream OF
Teutonic Empire in the Middle East
To come true, the district betwee
Bagdad and the Garden of Eden, 25
miles to the south. must either
won by a new military offensive, {
purchased in the peace conferenS
after the war.
The military developments Of ii
W year make il certain that the Russia
bear will not be able to take his drin
of warm water at the Persian Gul
and little less than a miracle mu
now happen to give the Car Constal
tinople for an outlet to the unfroz'
seas. The British effort to ent
Constantinople by way of the Gall
poli Peninsula. has failed during q
year, and Great Britain is now relu
tant to undertake a second cost
experiment in southeastern Euro
'or Russias sake. The ease WI
which the Teutons and Bulgaria
have been able to overrun Serbia,
parently has been due to Great B
tain's disincination to risk wastl
her strength in a major Balkan
fensive. The odds-all favor the It
tonic allies in the Balkans becar
of their unimpeded lines of CONN
nication.
british interest in the Balkan ca
naign is primarily due to its be
ing on the security of Egypt IL
Kitchener's visit to the Levant d
ing the latter part of the year 9
his uuick return. seem to have crea
a belief in London that Egypt is
I'm any immediate jeopardy. The 81
ish now apparently have conclu'
that Egypt can be better defen'
along the Suez Canal than in
Balkans. The advantage of &C
munications. which the Germ
possess in the Balkans, would pass
The British II the Teutons and Tu
were to attempt an offensive by crc
ing the desert to the east OF 81
The Russians, however are urger
pressing Great Britain to pursue
Balkan campaign. Otherwise,
Gar will probably be the WI
principal loser. His own troops, VI
ing. as the year ends. to invade 1
garia by way of Rumania. can ha
IL prove equal to the task, unassis
= The Teutons, Bulgarians and Tu
have certainly 100000 men availa
for Balkan operations and this fo
might possibly be increased to a I
lion. Unquestionably differences
opinion have arisen among the al
during the year because Of divere
Balkan military policies. The {
fiicting interests have not been rec
ciled in detail as the year ends
Gar Doesn't Want Peace.
1,f,af on hor nNu soil