New-York tribune., 1915-08-15
Crisis Near in Bel.
ligerentS' Plea for
Support.
SHELLS AGAIN
FALL ON SERBIA
Latter Willing to Make
Concessions to Bull
garian Demands.
GREECE REMAINS FIRM
Rumania. Again Menaced for
Refusal to Pass NUM-.
tionS, MObiizes.

London, Aug. 14.-Affairs in the
Balkans are approaching a crisis.
while diplomatic negotiations are
proceeding in an effort to induce
states still neutral to cast their lot
with one side or the other. the GEN.
tral powers have massed troops on
the Balkan frontiers. Their olan.
1t is supposed, is to force a wav
through to relieve Turkey. The
Turks are believed to be badly in
need of shells.
This concentration, which has
been followed by an artillery attack
on Serbian positions, is equally a
menace to Rumania, which again
has refused to permit shells to pass
through her terriory to Turkey.
The Rumanian army already is
partly mobiIized, and four new di-
visions of reserves now have been
called out.
Bulgaria has as yet made no
move, but awaits the reply of the
Quadruple Entente to her demand
that Serbia and Greece concede Ma
cedon:a to her in return for her
military support. This answer
probably will be forthcoming after
the meeting of the Greek and Ser
bian Pariaments next week.
While the Serbians point out what
they consider the unfarness Of the
Bulgarian demand. they show an in
clination TO make some concessions 10
obtain the support of their former ally.
Greece is more firm in her refusal. but
it is believed here there may be
change in her policy when former Pre-
mier Venizelos returns TO power He
has strong pro- German party opposed
TO him, however. and, according 10 A
telegram from Berlin tonight, King
Constantine will offer him the Premier
ship only upon the understanding that
strict neutrality shall be maintained.
Greece Bound to Serbia as Ally.
This was the point upon which the
King and VI. Venizelos disagreed when
a new Cabinet was appointed and Par
Lament was dissolved. lnasmuch as NJ.
Venizelos was supported by the people
at general election IL was thought the
King might fall into line. but the dis
patch from Berlin indicates he has not
changed his views. Should Bulgaria at
tack Serbia, however, Greece is bound
by treaty obligations 10 support Serbia
as her ally.
The declaration that Serbia's atti-
tude toward the claims of Bulgaria was
clear, and that Serbia never had ad-
mitted that the Slavs in Macedonia
were Bulgarans. was made to-day by
VI. BOskovitch, Serbian Minister 10
London, in reply TO claims recently put
forward from authoritative Bulgarian
sources.
This was shown" VI. Boskovitch
said. "by the terms of the Serbo-Bul-
garian treaty Of 1912, in which Serbia
agreed 20 recognize the right of Bull
garia only 10 territory lying east Of
the Rhodopes a chain OF mountains IN
Eastern Rumela, partly in Macedonia
and partly IN Thrace) and the Struma
River. This concession, which was made
70 Bulgaria IN 1912, and upon which
she attempts to base her present
claims, was based upon considerations
of political expediency, and was offered
upon certain strictly defined condl-
tions, which have been unfulfilled.
This latter fact, coupled with the
Intervention of Austria, 20 our detri-
ment, and the aid which we rendered
the Bulgarians at Adrianople, necessl-
tated our requesting revision OF the
treaty"
SERBIA accepted the Russian proposal
of arbitration, which had been provided
for IN the treaty, he said, and Bulgaria
appeared prepared to arbitrate, but un-
expectedly made an attack in June,
1918, thus precipitating the second Bal
kan war.
"In company with our slly-Greece
we beat the Bulgarians back TO their
old frontiers" he went on, "snd thus
Obliged them 70 sign the Treaty OF
Bucharest. II is perfectly obvious that
this later treaty destroyed the treaty
of 1912 and with it Bulgaria's claim 70
Macedonia.
Memory of 1913 Lingers.
at is quite impossible to efface the
tragic record OF 1913 from history. Our
sacrifices, forced upon Us, were enorm-
Gus. We now hold this territory by
the double right Of conquest and ma
tionality. Further, it must be remem-
bered that we now are obliged TO re-
gard Bulgaria not as a friend. Thus
arise important strategical considers-
tions for retaining our present posses
sIons.
ANY attempt 70 demand concessions
on the ground that Macedonians are Of
the Bulgarian race merely renders the
problem more difficult Of solution.
Serbia never acknowledged this claim
and cannot enter upon any discussion
based upon such an assumption. IL
certain concessions were made upon
certain conditions il would be only for
reasons of political expediency and in
order 20 assist the general cause Of the
Allies, for IN our view il would imply
surrender OF part of Serbia and Q
population Of Serbs.
The existing deadlock calls for con-
cessions on both sides. At present
puloaria Wapts 20 taka all and Oiva