Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-08-16
BALKAN NATIONS
MAY Be FORCED
TO ENTER WAR
Bombardlnent Of Belgrade By
Germans May Compel
Early Decision
DRIVE THROUGH BALKANS
TO RELIEVE TURKEY
Greek and Serbian Parliament
Meet Today and Decisive
Action Is Expected

Rome, Aug 16.-With the lombard.
ment ct Belgrade and the massinp of
large AustrO-German forces on the Ser.
bian frontier, the belief was expressed
here etoiay that the prospective new
offensive OF the Teutons NAV throw
the balance of the Balkans in favor of
the allies and involve Bulgaria. Ru.
mania and Greece in the war. The at.
tack upon Belgrade and preparations
for new assault upon Serbia are re.
garded as coming at n critical time,
At Bucharest and Sofia great alarm
is felt that new offensive against
Serbia will be merely preliminary to
an Austro German drive through the
Balkans to relieve Turkey. This. it is
feared threatens the national existence
of Bulgaria and Rumania, and these
governments are watching develop.
ments along the Danube with the ut.
most anxiety.
Parliaments Meet.
The Greek and Serbian parliaments
met today in what may prove to be The
met important session in their history
Their DECISIONS which may be reached
possibly within a fortnight, will prob
ably settle the fate of tde Balkans ana
exert the greatest influence upon the
future Of the war. The Rumaniar
crown council also met with King
Charles at Bucharest yesterday in an
important conference.
The Greek parliament has before il
Premier Veni2elo s war program, while
the Serbians at Nish received a report
from Premier Pachitch ON the negotia.
tions involving the cedng of Macedonia
to Bulgaria in return for the latter.
participation in the war.
Serbia Will Concede.
Despite contrary reports from Nisn
diplomats here believe Serbia is ready
TO make the necessary concessions tC
obtain Bulgaria S aid. The allies arc
also hopeful that Premier Venizelos. IN
Athens, will be able to overcome the
opposition to Greece making the neces
sary concessions, thus removing the last
obstacle to gaining the opening wedp,
in the Balkans for general participa
tin Of these powers.
There are some elements among th,
allies who hope 10 force the Balkans tC
agree to the program OF the quadrupl,
! entente.
1t is pointed out that the Turks
lack Of ammunition renders condition,
for Balkan intervention favorable. Also
should the reiniorcements landed by
the allies register fresh successes il
the Dardancllcs, the Balkan power,
might lose an opportunity to share in
the spoils Of victory should CONSTANT
nople fall without their aid
With these points to work in favor
Of the allies, it is believed that tac
concentration of the Austro. German,
on the Serbian frontier may prove tc
be the final Development to sway the
balance.
Diplomats Are Active.
The allied diplomats are continuinf
to make every effort to bring about
Balkan intervention lp negotiation,
with the foreign offices at Nish, Soft
and Bucharest.
1t is being pointed out that if Ger
many expects the Turks TO hold IN,
Dardanelles the kaiser must get am
munition to them at any cost Rumanit
has refused TO permit the transporta
ton &C munitions through her terri
tory. And in the preparations for
new assault upon Serbia, diplomats Sc,
also a possible attack upon Rumania
The fear Of such an assault, il is be
lieyed may influence the Balkans {,
accept such concessions as can be gain
ed at present and join the allies will
the hope Of gaining more by such
move in the capture OF Constantinoplc