Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-21
The Fall OF NIonustir

M UGH more than mere sentimental in
W. terest and Importance attaches TO the
tail OF Monastir. In it's broad aspects it EMS
the dream which drew Bulgaria from SECURITY
into war and will make her wonder If the
game is worth the candle after the candle
mas gone out. The price Of Bulgarian inter-
Ventlon was TO have been Serbian Macedonia
ana now that prize has been wrested from
Car Ferdinand and is in the possession Of
allied troops
Serbians and French are pushing on be-
yond Monastir, in pursuit Of the fleeing Bull
garian army. The objective of thu. allied
thrust from Saloniki was the Oriental rail
way which it was hoped to reach and cut
al the old Serbian capital of Nish Because
or the obstacles placed in his way by King
constantine and the menace OF Greek at
tack In his rear. General Sarrail was COM
peiled 10 delay his real onslaught until De-
tober and his first great STEP the capture of
Monastir, has thus been postponed until an
preaching winter makes offensive opera lions
ON a great scale almost impossible.
Between Monastir and Nish stretch lGO
miles or rugged. mountainous country badly
supplied with transport facilities and covered
with ice, snow and mud SarraiI, it is likely
VIII have TO wait until spring clears his path
before he can push on to Nsh and cut Con-
stantinople off from Berlin
however the presence Of the Franco
Serbffn army in Monastr means a prompt
junction with the Italians operating in
albania If the allied pursuit is carried
much farther, it will threaten the Bulgarian
lines OF communication and may cause n re-
urement Of the Bulgarian center and left.
with which British and French troops are
IN constant contact. Ferdinand is in danger
OF losing goodly part OF his army, and with
1t he may lose heart for further participation
in the war.
Al any rate. we probably may expect a
weakening OF the Austro German pressure on
Roumania. Berlin dispatches saw German
troops have been sent to bolster ND the Rul
garian defense, and 1t is difficult TO see where
these could have been obtained if not from
the armies of Falkenhayn. Bulgarian eorps
from Mackensens Dobrudja army were OBJ
served week ago in action on the Cerna.
"hich accounts at least in part, for Mack
ensen's retreat TO the Danube
The capture of Nonastir was brilliantly
conceived and as brilliantly executed II
was movement by the flank, driven through
mountains to victory--a leaf from the hook
Oh FORMER wars for in the present war frontal
attacks have been the rule rather than the
exception. The elaborate defenses which IN q
bulgarians constructed before Monastr we're
lett TO themselves while the French and Ser
oians plodded through marshes and over hills
until they had reached and possessed the bend
OF the Cerna. With Monastr thus taken in
flank. its fall became assured
rms week Will tell the full story If Sar.
rail really has 100000 or COO. 900 men on
the Saloniki front, it is difficult TO see how
ne can make better of them than to
aeS'roS bulgarian power in Macedonia
German, Austrian, Bulgarian and Turkish
diplomats have been notified 10 leave Athens
and the surrender Of the arms and munitions
OF the Greek army has been demanded
There is every indication that great events
mpend