Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-13
SITUATION IN BALKANS
IS DOMINANT IN EUROPE
Military Operations Are Evolving
Themselves Into Race for
Their Support.
BULGARIA IS HOLDING KEY
Germany's Plans to Crush Serbia and
Join Hands With Turks Would
Mean Failure Of Allies Efforts in
Dardanelles.

Especial Gable to The Times Dispatch. I
LONDON, August achievements
overshadowing in Importance even the
operations In Poland are being made
In the Balkan theater Of the war.
British operations against the Dar-
danelles and Austro- German threats
against Serbia are beginning to evolve
themselves into n race for the support
OF the Balkan states
The Balkan situation at present dom
mates all others in nil the capitals Of
Europe. IS
everything points to vigorous Of
fenstve by the Austro- against
Serbia at IN early date. with the object
of crushing the Serbian army. in order
to force Bulgaria to give FREQ passage
to Teuton forces needed for the relief
OF Constantinoplc.
WOULD INVOLVE FAILURE
OF ALLIES EFFORTS
Leading critics in Italy and France
consider this plan OF the German gen
eral staff very serious. Should II sue
ceed, 1t would involve the complete
failure OF the allies efforts at the Dar
daneiles and the final immobilization
OF the Balkan states. whose co opera
tion Is now sought by the ouadruple
entente.
No great hope is entertained that the
allies Will succeed in inducing the Bal
Kan states to intervene on their side
but it is hoped that they Will remain
neutral.
In order to defeat the Germans Mt
their own plan. the allies on Gallipoli
nave commenced a tremendous offensive
against the Turks. In a desperate effort
10 smash the Dardanelles defenses and
reach Constnntinople before Germany
can throw an army through Serbia.
More than $4,000 fresh troops have been
landed on Gallipoli within the last
week and their appearance has
heralded n violent drive on the entire
front. still more re-enforcements. both
French and British. are semiofticially
reported en- route for the strait.
NAVAL ACTIVITY
HAS BECOME INTENSE
Intense naval activity is evident in
cooperation with the land attacks OF
the allies. Unofficial dispatches con-
tinue to report the torpedoinE OF tho
cruiser Goeben by a British submarine
which penetrated into the Black Sea
No official reports have been made on
the incident, but it is believed here that
more than one British submarine has
reached the Black Sea, running the
blockade through the Dardanelles, the
Sea of Marmora and the Bosporus.
Demands for the opening of n path
TO turkey are being voiced in Berlin,
and reports that Germany is preparing
to send an army to aid the Turks arc
being spread broadcast in Constanti-
noplc. according to advices received
here to-day.
n 4 Arr1Q tor RI
Count Reventlow. writing in the Tages
ZeitunG, OF Berlin. declares that Ger
many must hew her way through to
Constantinople, and make the new
triple alliance reality. He writes:
The demand for direct communica-
tions between Hungary and Turkey has
round expression more and more ener-
getcally during the past few months.
Among tho securities, which the new
triple alliance needs and must obtain,
is permanent contro! of tho political.
economic and military link between
Berlin. Vienna and Constantinople.
GERMANS CONCENTRATING
on SERBIAN FRONTIERS
German troops estimated to number
100000. are being concentrated on the
Serbian frontier. Vast stores OF artil-
lery also are being transported to the
new theater Austrian forces also are
reported Ell route against Serbia.
while British and French officers are
said TO be in command OF the Serbian
army If Germany throws such heavy
forces against the Balkan nation. II is
not believed in military circles that
Continued on Second Page.)
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