Imperial Valley press., 1915-10-23

London, Oct. 23.-One Of the most
tragic episodes in world history is be
ing enacted in Serbia, where the Teu-
tonic forces have progressed an aver
age of 10 miles from the northern
frontier and where the Bulgars are
fighting their way from the south.
Caught between the fires, the Ser
bian nation, men and women alike, are
fighting with utmost desperation, while
also from the south an unknown mum
Der of the Allies are forcing their way
to the rescue of the Serbs.
Rumania too, is apparently about
ready 10 plunge into the war to aid
the Serbs. while Russia is bringing
additional forces forward.
II is a race for the salvation of a
nation. while on the result may also
hinge tie future of all Europe.
There has as yet been nothing to
indicate what the result is to be, and
weeks may elapse before events have
SO far developed that an idea can he
formed Of the future.
Not only are these facts admitted
in England, France and Russia, but
they arc reflected in official Servian
statements The key to escape from
this situation is the speed with which
France and England can throw forces
north from Saloniki, in the hope of re-
lieving pressure from the Austrians
and Germans in the north and the Bul-
garians in the east
The Bulgarians are now battling un-
der the eyes of King Ferdinand. Not
withstanding the presumably superior
artillery of the Austrians and Germans
ii is the flank attack by the Bulgari-
ans which seems the most menacing
to the Servians.
At few places are the Teutons as
much as 20 miles south of the Dan
ube. In fact, the German gain aver
ages a depth of only 10 miles
The Bulgarians, for their part are
dfsplaviEg tremendous energy, indi-
cative of carefully laid plans preced-
ing the declaration of war. With 20
miles of the Nish -Saloniki railway in
their hands, they have a strategic ad-
vantage which il will be difficult to
overcome.
The movements of the Entente troops
from Salanilti are still unknown to the
pnblic but if any considerable force
has been detailed for the task of do
ing for Servia what England attempted
10 do for Belgium, il must be heard
from soon
From Sofia and Saloniki come deni-
ais that the Bulgarians have lost
Strumitza This means that Bulgarian
soil is still free from invasion
1t is reported that Turkish cavalry
is co-operating with the Bulgarians
and that a great battle is raging at
tho Macedonian town of VeleZe, where
the Servians won a victory over the
Turks in the Balkan war of 1872. Ac-
cording to an unofficial report the Bul-
Earians have taken the town.
on most of the long eastern front
the Russians seem to be in the ascen-
daney, but both Petrograd and Berlin
emphasize the increasing danger OF
Riga's position.
From the southwest the Germans
are nearing the village of Olai which
is only IL miles from Riga.
They are also increasing their hold
along the DVina river, to the south
east of the city, being in that quarter
within 8 miles of their goal.
The Russians assert that the German
attacks in the region of OLAF were re
puIsed, but the Germans are lombard
ing the Riga-Dvinsk railway beyond
the Dvina, interfering with the FOR
warding of Russian reinforcements.
According TO dispatches from Chris
tiania. the Russian port of Archangel
already has been closed by ice. If
this he true, Russia will be deprived
of this means of bringing in supplies
unless ice breakers are able to work
successfully.