Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-25
DIPLOMACY OF the Balkan Drive.


well under way, the soldiers of eight nations are
engaged To the French, British and Serbians, who
compose the main strength of the Allies in that
quarter Italian and Russian contingents have been
added. The task of defense rests chiefly the
Bulgarians. but they are supported by a remnant
of Austrian and German troops. Thus the Saloniki
front is stage which nearly an the belligerents
play part.
Though the decisive stroke of the probably
will in the west events of farreaching import
are likely to unfold in this compact theater be-
tween the Danube and the Aegean. Evidently the
Entente powers lay much store by their undertake
ling in this region, otherwise they hardly would
have drawn upon Italy and Russia for reinforce
ments for the Anglo-French-Serbian army which
already numbered upwards of six hundred thou
sand men Dispatches silent concerning the
size of the Italian and Russian expeditions, which
may be only large enough for moral rather than
pronounced military effect. There is no doubt,
however, that the Allies have designed the cam
paign with eye TO epOchal results
While their immediate objective is the re-
covery of Serbia and the breaking up of German
communications with the East, they are play
ing for diplomatic as we'll as military stakes Their
offensive if duly successful in its earlier stages,
may win them the beated support of Rumania and
Greece 1t is possible, indeed, that Bulgaria itself
might be constrained TO reverse its position and
forsake its Teuton alliance.
BuIgarias first choice was purely and frankly
a matter of business. Gar Ferdinand committed
his country to the Teutonic cause-against his
peoples will, as some observers declare-in the
belief that he was selecting the winner. There
was no sentiment conscience in his course Had
the Allies been apparent victors il the autumn of
1915 he would have battered his support to them
as readily, perhaps as to the Central Empires.
But at that time the Russians were in a seemingly
disastrous retreat the French and British adven-
ture at the DardanelIes had evidently failed, the
star of Teutonic fortunes was at its zenith. Fer
dinand had visions of vast territorial spoils to be
-wrested from Serbia and Greece and of an entic-
ring future in which he would be the supreme
Figure in the Balkans. 1t on that guess that
Bulgaria was plunged into the struggle as leu
-ton and Turkish ally.
/. Subsequent events having proved the folly of
srhe choice it is not unthinkabe that Bulgaria
would desert losing cause with the same Gym
sieaI shrewdness with which she espoused winning
-one 1t is unlikely, however. that the Allies
would show much indulgence to the ruler whom
sthey accuse of having betrayed them. Serbia must
ebe requited her tragic suffering and loss and
lit is largely by Bulgaria that the debt must be
gpaid Yet. by yielding betimes, Ferdinand might
Ssucceed in sOftening the terms of settlement. 1t
lis noteworthy, moreover. that considerable ele-
.ment of the Bulgarian people have been keenIy
Eaverse to fighting their Slav kinsmen, the Rus
.sians Possibly, therefore internal as well as ex-
ternal pressure may compel the Bulgarian court to
abandon its Teutonic pact 1t may have been with
some such moral effect as this in view that Rus
sian troops sent TO the Saoniki front. Their
:presence hardly fail to influence popular SEN
.timent in Bulgaria.
Time and again during the past two years
There have been rumors that Rumania was about
TO Join the Allies. Present reports of the kind
smay come TO nothing. Interestingly enough how
ever. the German press is now the prime source
of these reports; and, the London Daily News
iaptIy remarks, "It is difficult to conceive what
motives the Germans could have for circulating
such a statement other than the belief that it is
true" II Rumania is. ever to enter the war, the
present moment il would SEEM is most opportune
from the standpoint of her interests Heretofore
her neutrality has been most profitable. She
has commenced with both belligerent camps, her
merchants as a correspondent observes, having
allowed German and English buyers to bid against
each other for Rumanian wheat up to topmost
prices merely to corner the supply. AS the pivotal
state of the Balkans her aid has been jealousy
sought both by the Entente and the Central En-
pires though il never has seemed probable that
she would go to the latter. With formidable
army and unimpared resources, she has been in
posture to turn the Near Eastern situation de-
eisiveIy to the advantage of the Allies 1t is
wholly credible therefore, that they have offered
substantial inducements for her support. Unless
Rumania enters the field in the near future, how
ever. her services will become less and less val
liable II the Allies win without her assistance,
she cannot expect 10 play in the future of the
Balkans the broadly influential part which she
can play as a co-heir of victory There is good
reason then, to credit the German report that
Rumania is about to join hands with the Entente.
il she has not already done so, and is preparing
to give Russian troops passage through her ter
ritOry.
In Greece the Allies now have all they could
ask except the active support of Greek troops.
and that too may be given if the present drive