The Washington times., 1915-10-12
IS 1T A GREAT MISTAKE ?

Opinion as to the development of
the Near Eastern campaign Is
sharply divided in England, and far
from unanimous in France. Critics
of the allies program insist that
they ought to refuse to be tolled
away into a great operation in the
Balkan peninsula, but should rather
concentrate their efforts in the
Franco Flanders drive which has
given some hope Of successful out
come. Notwithstanding this senti-
ment, which appears also to be
strong among American sympathiz-
ers with the entente cause, the gen.
eral staffs of England and France
are going ahead with their deter
mined effort to rescue Serbia and
save their Gallipoli campaign from
the collapse that would be newt
able if the Germanic forces should
crush Serbia and relieve Constanti-
nople.
The beginning of the allies move
on Constantinople was untimely,
and without doubt was dictated by
political considerations. While Com
stantinople has not been taken, it is
to be remembered that the cam
paign against it compelled a great
concentration Of Turkish power
around that city; Of power that in
other circumstances would have re-
enforced the Germanic campaign
against Russia, and might greatly
have exaggerated the seriousness
of the disaster Russia has suffered.
The Constantinople campaign Gre
ated diversion in favor Of Russia
and at the same time gave to Rus
sia pledge that they had chance
to get some substantial benefits if
the war should be ended in favor Of
the allies. The desperate efforts Of
the central empires to win Russia
over to their proposal of a separ-
ate peace might we'll enough have
succeeded if there had been no Con-
stantinople drive.
With Serbia much the same is
true. 1t is charged by the critics
that the entente could end the war
most quickly if they would abandon
Serbia to its fate, and concentrate
on the western line for the supreme
effort. Perhaps this is true; but it
would in effect have amounted to
abandonment of both Russia and
Serbia. Both Britain and France
understand that future security ne
cessitates the seizure of Constanti-
nople, and establishing it in such
strength that the dreams of a Ger
manic empire extended from the
Baltic to the Persian Gulf may be
dissipated once for all.
Again, it is not so certain that the
chances in Balkan campaign are
altogether favorable to the central
powers. True, soldiers and supplies
from England and France must be
transported very long distances by
sea. But sea transportation is the
safest and quickest of all. With the
immense fleets of transports that
the allies possess, and their marvel
Gus sea control, the landing of a
very large army in Albania, or at
Saloniki, or wherever it may be
needed, is comparatively easy
task, provided the soldiers can be
spared elsewhere. The riches of the
Mediterranean region constitute an
excellent base for subsistence sup
plies. Japan can send its munitions
to the eastern Mediterranean more
easily than to France or, by way of
Vladivostok, to Russia. The Ser
blans are going to play magnifi-
cent part in this fighting, knowing
that their allies are backing them to
the last ditch, and having their sup
plies reasonably assured. In no other
way would it be possible to get the
greatest benefit from Serbian power
and at the same time so nearly neu-
tralize the force of Bulgaria. Final
ly, there is the probability that
despite dynastic opposition, Rou-
mania and Greece will be forced to
side with the allies when the war is
pressed home to them and the issue
made so plain.
If great campaign in the Bal
kans seems a long way from base
for England and France, it is close
to home for Italy, whose operations
thus far have been on such a scale
that it is still possible for that
country to contribute a great force
to the new theater of operations. 1t
is pretty well recognized that Italy
will play its part in this way, for
she has the power and also has vital
interests that demand her partic-
patton.
The eastern, Mediterranean is re-
mote from France and England but
it is also remote from Germany
The rough country that must be