New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-10
Serbia's Third Great
Fight for National Ex-
istence in Three
Years.
Copyright, 1915, by The New York
Tribune.

will enlist on the side of the central
powers.
II Greece remained neutral she could
depend upon the Ksiser's powerful in1u-
ence to protect her. as he did in fact aid
her at the time of the Bucharest negota-
tons. 1t is the fact that the Kaiser's
sister is Constantine's Queen which
makes the court influence in Athens who'll
ly Teutonic. On the other hand. If Greece
remained neutral and the Allies finally
won, she would have no reason 10 fear any
attack by them. although she would prob
ably have to make some concessions 70
Italy. This Is the basis Of the case of
the King for neutrality.
Veni.elos.
On the other hand, Venizelos recognizes
that Bulgarian success against Serbia
would inevitably be followed by a Bulgar
attack upon Greece and an immediate or
ultimate attempt on the part Of King
Ferdinand to get possession of Salonica.
lie OIStho DulSdlo dLt
rivals, as we'll as recent contestants in a
bitter war. The hatred Of Greek for
Bulgar and the natural apprehension Of
Hellenic patriots over the evident deter
mination Of Bulgaria to obtain the hegem-
ony Of the Balkans explains the general
sympathy of the public with the French
and British
In the meantime it Is certain that tho
first steps of Bulgaria will be met by an
attack by the Russian fleet upon Varna
and Burgess 1t is possible, but hardly
likely, that Russia may be able TO land
force upon the Black Sea coast of Bull
garia. This would recall many Bulgarian
troops from the Serb frontier. But il is
difficult to believe that Russia has any
army available for such an operation.
Austria, on her part, has already begun
to stir up the Albanans to attack the
Serbs in the rear along the Black Drina
from Prisrend to Dbra. But there is
reason to believe that such an attack will
. be fairly countered by Montenegrin oper-
D. ations and Italy is bound to do something
s. to assert her claim TO the possession OF
y this little state after the war. AS she
e now holds Valona, she has good base
N for an expedition.
lie But these operations are wholly subsid-
e larry. The real problem must be found
for the Allies In the defence of Serbia
until Constantinope falls and for the
Germans in the clearing of a road to the
:. Osmanli capital before the Allied fleets
penetrate to the Sea of Marmora or the
Allied armies conquer Thrace.
8. Summary.
4 In sum, the first phase Of any new Bal
lie kan strife will unquestionably be marked
e by the main German thrust through Ser
in bia from the Danube to the Bulgarian
frontier. Coincident with this will come
a a Bulgar blow at the Serbian rear from
n Sofia toward Prot and Nish and more
s. considerable push east at the Salonica-
IL ANlSfl abobt NuN' ShShs
is Allied assistance to Serbia will, in the
Id opening days, be confined to an effort 10
r reinforce the Serbian army about Nish and
Ks there and along the railroad to the south
hold off the Bulgar invasion and keep the
n vital railroad line open.
II If Greece participates, she will at first
N defend her portion of the Constantinople-
n Salonica railway from the Mesta west
s. of Drama to Dorian. She will also CO
operate with the Allies in defending the
Salonca- Nish railroad about Guevgheli.
u which will become Greek territory when
. Greece enlsts. Later she will unques-
70 tionably participate in any drive east
toward Constantinople through Bulgarian
Thrace, for she hopes to gain this region
10 as far as the Martha and retake Dedea.
d. Catch.
'e Ultimately, if the German advance can
u be checked and the Bulgar invasion
halted, there is bound to be an Allied
n drive through Thrace beyond the Maritxs
IN to the Chatalja lines, where the land at
r tack will be aided by the Russian feet.
d. Once Gallipol is isolated from Constan-
es tinople and the Turk masses recalled to
n defend the capital, this position may be
IL carried and the sea road to Byzantium
at opened.
A tremendously exciting race TO Con
y stantinople now seems inevitable, and
upon the ultimate attitude Of Greece prac-
: tically everything depends. Ii the Hell
~ lenic people enter the war and their army
10 is thrown into the balance, chance will
he favor the Allies. But if Greece stays out.
Y. Il ho rouirt, AlioI land,n1. hor