New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-14
SOFIA DECLARES
WAR ON SERBS
Greece Declines to Send
Aid to Ally-Says She
Would Risk Existence.
TEUTON TROOPS HELD
Mackensen Progress Very Slow
Russians Ready to Join
in Campaign.
lBy Cable TO The rrbun.


London, Oct. 13.-Bulgaria, after
a weeks vacillation, at last has de-
clared war on Serbia and ranged
herself .rrevocably OH the side of the
Teutonic powers, a Central News
dispatch from Sofa announces to-
day. Notices Of the declaration were
to be posted throughout the kingdom
tonight, the correspondent adds.
Bulgarian irregulars have invaded
Greek Macedonia, after the with
drawal of the frontier guards to
prevent a conflict, according TO
Rome dispatch to "The Chronicle"
Other Greek troops are reported TO
have been sent to capture the ma
rauders.
Concerning the military activities
now taking place or pending in the
Balkans, the greatest secrecy is be
ing maintained, each side fencing
until it learns the dispositions and
the numbers of its opponents.
Bulgaria's movements, aside from
the repulse of three attacks on the
Serbian frontier reported from Nish
last night, are shrouded in mystery,
and the great drive OF Mackensen,
which was to deal swiftly with the
armies of King Peter, has barely
got beyond the frontier.
Berlin reports continued progress
tonight, but in no place except at
Belgrade have the Teutons got more
than ten miles from the river bor-
ders. The mountains, the real bar
riers Of Serbia, still lie ahead.
Speed, the one trump card the
Kaiser and his allies held for the
Balkan, as for the Belgian, cam
paign, is still undisclosed, while
daily numerical superiority .and ad-
vantage in equipment are cut down.
French and British troops already
are pouring into Serbia through Sa-
lonica; Russian troops are prepar-
ing to strike; Rumania mobilizes,
and Greece continues arming; but
still Bulgaria does not move, the
Nish-Salonica railway is uncut, no
attempt is made to isolate the Ser
bians or TO seize Nish and the Orient
railway. the Kaiser's high road 70
the East if he is 10 save his Turkish
allies.
There have been many mysteries
come out of the Balkans and its re-
lations to the war, but among mill
tarv men none is greater than this
inaction, this unexplained break
down of the Kaisers much heralded
plans.
Russians Face Difficult Task.
How the Russians are to join the
French and British in Serbia, ms an
nounced by Premier Viviani yesterday
is the subject Of much conjecture. They
have no easy task before them II they
attempt 70 land in Bulgaria. Varna and
the other Bulgarian ports on the Black
Sea. where landing might be made
have been strongly fortified under the
direction of German officers and are
protected by heavy minehelds.
The Russians could sail down the
Danube, as that is an international
waterway, but IL Is doubtful IL they
have the necessary transports, while to
90 through Rumania would require the
consent of the Bucnares, government.
which, although friendly TO the Entente
powers, might not wish TO brave Ger
many's displessure.
Greece to-day formally announced
her course under the Serbian alliance.
Replying TO Nish's representations on
the bulgarian attack, the Greek gov.
ernment regrets that il is unable to
accede 70 Serbia's request" and ex-
plains that the alliance Of loll. forsee-
ing only Bulgarian aggression. was Inn
tied to preserving an equilibrium
among the Balkan States.
"The preamble of the treaty, the re-
nlv continues. defines il as OF purely
balkan character, not applying to
general confagration. Both the treaty
of alliance and the military convention
completing il prove in the hrst arti-
Gle that the contracting parties con-
templated only isolated attacks by Bull
garia against one Of them"
Greek Chance Coming Later.
The note minutely argues that the
treaty does not cover the situation
which has arisen to-day. a situation in
which Greece might destroy herself
without hope Of saving Serbia. which
cannot wish such result" IL is added
that common interests demand that
the Greek forces still be kept in reserve
for a better use later"
The note concludes with the deelara-
tion that Greece intends 10 remain an
armed neutral, and assures Serbia