Imperial Valley press., 1915-12-03

New York, Dec. 3.-It is reported
in a way that seems authoritative that
Austria has notified Rumania that the
closing of the Danube TO Austrian
war vessels is considered a belligerent
act, which, if true, is pretty close to
declaration Of war. Rumania's re-
ply IS to continue to concentrate her
troops for war, and, as Russa's army
is believed to be almost ready to
strike, Rumania probably feels safe
IN her course.
Disagreement seems to have
reached threatening state between
Austria and Bulgaria over the divis-
ion of Serbian territory and also be-
tween Austria and Germany over
what many Austrians and Hungari-
ans believe to be encroachments on
Austria by Germany. 1t is felt by
these people that the German plans
for urification of commercial in
terests in fact imply the eventual alb
sorption of Austria-Hungary by the
German Empire.
These are elements of weakness
which have been developing rapidly
in the last few days, but they have
not been unforeseen. 1t has been pre-
dicted, in fact, that Bulgaria would
yet turn from the Central Powers to
the Alliance, and there are those who
think they see evidence of realiza-
tion Of the prediction.
The military authority in Germany
Is taking vigorous steps to suppress
discussion Of peace in the newspapers,
but the Socialists are determined to
bring the issue to the front and are
demanding that the government make
known what terms would be accep-
table as a basis of peace.
Military events in the Balkans are
apparently in a transitory stage,
which may preface another German
offensive, but whether this will be
made against the Franco-British
troops, which hold all that remains
of Serbia, or against the Russians.
should they launch an attack against
Bulgaria from the east, the present
situation gives no indication.
A Salonika dispatch, reporting with
drawal of Field Marshal Won Macken-
zen's forces from the Serbian front
to Bulgaria, is interpreted in some
quarters as confirmation of the sec
ond alternative.
With Virisrend in Bulgarian hands
both the Austro-Germans and the Bull
garians have formally announced the
completion of their Serbian CAMPAIGN.
Vienna officially estimates the can
ture of more than 10000 Serbians bv
General Won Koevess' army during
the month of November alone
Moreover it seems certain that the
Serbians in their retreat over Alban-
IAN mountain passes, encumbered bv
civilian refugees and handicapped bv
wlntry weather, were forced to leave
behind them a large part Of their
equipment, including most of their
heavy artillery, motor cars and other
transports.
The Germans are now engaging the |
Montenegrins on the Montenegrin
frontier and at heavy cost have pene-
trated some distance beyond the bor-
der. Yet this struggle is not COM
parable to the serious and sanguinarv |
fighting which marked the Serbian
campaign last month, which has now
almost ceased
Notwithstanding all the entente ne
gotiations at Athens, the Greek situ-
alton today remains much as it was q
month ago.
1t is now clear that Greece had de-
termined not to demoblize or with
draw her army from Salonika.
Though deadlock seems to have
been reached, negotiations are still
under way.
No change of significance was re-
ported on either the western or the
eastern front during the last "a hours.
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