Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-10-27
STATESMAN ADMITS
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(centinusd from Page ons)
decision on them must rest on the
government
saieniki Expedition
AZ to the Saloniki expedition, the
Marquis said:
|, II cannot enter into the apprehensions
which possess Earl Loreburn. can
quite understand, having before him our
commitment in the western theatre of
the war, the position in which we find
ourselves on the Gallipoli peninsula and
our interests in Egypt and the other
possessions Of the Empire, which should
be borne in mind, 1t Is profoundly dis
tasteful to him that the matter should
be complicated by our entering into new
entanglements in the new sphere of the
war.
Earl Loreburn interrupting said Il
didn't say that. What / asked was If
you had naval and military opinion to
justify you in your decision"
The Marquis:
II quite understand that Earl Lore
burn should dislike the idea Of what
might be described as this further effort
on our part at a time when we are
making so many efforts in different parts
of the world.
Under what circumstances has Bri-
tfsh force been sent to Saloniki? /
should like to recall the position in the
month of September. sThe Central Pow
ers had made no progress in the west
ern theatre for long time. They. In
deed, had been successfully attacked and
pushed back at several points. On the
Russian front, the advance overwhelm-
ing at first had received serious check.
The Italians were pressing their Often
siye and in the minor theatres OF the
neutrality-suspicious. for example-success
was resting with our arms
THAT being the situation the Central
Powers very naturally looked about to
discover some new direction in which
to seek for decision satisfactory to
themselves. Their choice fell, as it was
not likely to fall, on a great attempt
to make good in southeastern Europe.
and through Bulgaria to threaten our
forces in Gallipoli and Constantinople
and perhaps Egypt, to say nothing OF
the vaster aspirations which perhaps lay
behind.
Tribute to Serbia
THAT project became doubly attrac-
tive from the moment when most I'M
fortunately, Bulgaria threw her influence
on their side. There was one obstacle,
and only one. to their project The key
of the situation lay in the eastern cor
ner of Serbia.
I'VE found Serbia threatened by for
mdable concentration of troops and
cannot help here paying tribute to the
wonderful gallantry with which Serbia
withstood two separate invasions ana
her struggles against a third. She will
afford one Of the most glorious chapters
Of this great war.
"Under these circumstances Serbia
made a direct appeal to us for help.
But 1t was not only Serbia that invok-
ed our cooperation"
Greeian Attitude
SERBIA was bound to Greece by geo
graphical propinquity, by common in
terests in this war and by treaty obl'-
cations. Moreover, it was only through
Grecian territory that help could pos
sbly reach Serbia; ii was only by the US
of a great force that base could h-
provided for. In the circumstances. tho
good will of Greece was of first i'm
portance to us and We had at that time
every reason to feel assured that We
had that good will. p~f9
"Venizelos was still in power and at
his instance we undertook to provide a
force for the purpose of enabling Greece
to fulfill her treaty obligations to Ser
bia. 1t was under such circumstances
that we sent such troops as We're avail
able to Saloniki. 1t was a small force.
because only a small force could be col :
lected at the time.
The French government on their side
dispatched a force which is now on the
spot and which apparently at this mo-
ment is engaged with the Bulgar;anS
on the eastern frontier of Serbia. At
the same time larger force was pre-
pared for service in southeastern Eu-
ope. and transports were taken out for
the purpose of conveying it to its des-
tination.
Il suggest that these steps-incom-
plete no doubt-were taken with great
promptitude, and they were the only
ones which could be taken to relieve the
position Of Serbia. They were taken
after full deliberation with the naval
and military advisers,
$4,000, with Mores Coming
The British force at Saloniki, 1900
In round numbers, may be regarded as
the precursor of a larger force which has
been put under orders. At the same
time the use to which that force will be
put must depend on the situation when
IT arrives at the scene
Lord Lansdowne. after giving some
details of the position Of the Serbian
armies. expressed his opinion as to the
outlook for Serbia as quoted in the be-
ginning of this dispatch. Continuing,
he said:
THE military plans must depend upon
the military situation when the REIN
forcements arrive and upon this point
the Allies are of one mind. The mill
tary and naval advisors of Great Brl-
tain and France will consult, and until
these consultations are concluded l can
not say for what purpose the British
force will be used.
Discussions are now proceeding and
Gen. Munro. who arrived in that part
Of the world today. has been instructed
to report as soon as possible his opin-
ion Of all the aspects of the case.
Lord Loreburn need have no appre-
hension in this or any other matter Of
the kind that the government is likely