Evening star., 1915-10-02
TEUT0N INFLUENCE
RAPIDLY SPREADING
Allied Nations Urged to Strike Hard
and Quick-Sofa Discounts
Chances Of Peace.
GERMANS SHELL THE SERBS
Kaiser's Battalion Attempting to
Cross River Semendria, Reported
Destroyed-Heavy Losses In
flicted on Berlin's Forces,
Is Claim.

LONDON, October 1.-The
Balkan crisis is at hand. Out
breaks of hostilities between the
various little nations is believed
to be matter of hours. These
countries, which only too short a
time ago were bathed in blood,
again must undergo the rigors OF
war, according to best informed
sources. The menacing attitude
of Bulgaria, which is reported to
be dispatching troops to both the
Serbian and Grecian borders, has
caused the press of allied nations
to urge respective governments to
strike, and strike hard and quick,
the instant it is established that
Bulgaria will not retrace her
steps.
Kraguyevatz. where Crown Prince
Alexander and the Serbian army staff
have headquarters. was bombarded by
Austro-German aeroplanes. The crown
prince was unin1ured. Kraguyevatz.
which is ffty-nine miles southeast Of
$780, It has a4tarssRAh aed. factory
for arms ~. e 81, -
A dispatch received from the Serbian
have relieved the Austrian forces on
the first line along the bank Of the
Danube.
"A German battalion which tried to
cross the river at Semendria last Sat
urday, was destroyed" the correspond
ent adds. A detachment coming to its
help in a barge. was drowned. Sew
eial different attempts at various
places to cross the river were repulsed
with heavy losses.
Bulgars Are Deserving.
Bulgarian soldiers are deserting in
Rumania," the correspondent states.
They declare that the Bulgarian
women are doing their utmost to pre-
vent the men from joining the colors
and that the soldiers will throw down
meet the Russians.
Bulgarian artillery. the correspondent
asserts. is being massed along tho
frontier of Dobrudja. a part Of Ru-
mania bounded by the Black sea and
the Danube. which was taken from
Bulgaria in 1878 and given to Rumania.
German influence Grows.
Latest advices from Sofia. Bulgaria,
point to German influence gaining
ground daily. 1t is naturally concluded
that the chances Of maintaining peace
in the Balkans are remote
The impression is gaining ground in
Sofia that Bulgaria, by retracing her
steps. will invite a situation which
might become dangerous after the wa .
Tine only means for the prevention Of
authorities in Sofia. seems to be the
immediate cession by Serbia to Bull
garia OF the uncontested zone in Mace
donia without reservation, and an ac-
acknowledgement Of Bulgaria's right to
occupy the zone forthwith.
Expected to Join Teutons.
The statement made by Sir Edward
Grey. the British foreign secretary, in
mors that Austro-German officers had
a'1ANSu al 1'uiSdIIhs JUDI dS tncy OlO
before Turkey threw in her lot with the
Germanic allies. is taken by officials to
mean that Bulgaria. too, has definitely
decided to Join them.
Such a move by Bulgaria would result
in the entente allies being called uron
to keep their promise to support with
all the means In their power those
Balkan states which remain friendly to
them and who are menaced by the
threatened Bulgarian aggression.
Athens never had much confidence in
the Bulgarian assurances that Bull
| garia's mobilization was quite innocent,
| 1t was asserted here. and the other cap
| itals have now been forced to the same
conclusion: There Is nothing to indi-
| cate the attitude of Rumania. but it
has always been taken for granted that
her friendship for Italy and France as
| sured her continued support Of the
cause of the entente allies.
Assistance From Allies.
The question arises as to what assist
anca the entente al1iea Gould Give