New Britain herald., 1916-05-26
BULGARIA ISOLATED,
 HOSPITALS CLOSING
Three Not Needed and Others Will
 Shut Doors Soon

Correspondence of the Asso. Press.) },
 Sofia, Bulgaria, May 2-The closing here recently of three of the largest military hospitals is an indication of how far removed Bulgaria is from the European war. The Saloniki front has been quiet for weeks and the attack on Avlona is a matter con- corning only the -Hungarians. The Bulgarian army is resting on it's arms. Tn a, few days several other hospitals will be closed and that in charge of the Austro Hungarian mis- sion will be converted into an electro- therapeutic institute for the recovery of damaged limbs. =
 Nevertheless the Bulgarian govern ment is calling to the colors the young men due to serve in the army. A great deal of reorganization is in progress, cooperation with the Ger man and Alstro- Hungarian troops having resulted in many a good les- son to the Bulgarian officers and gen. eral staff. Reequipment has also been undertaken; to what extent is indicated by the fact that the acqui- sition of German and Austro-Hun- garian motor trucks has enabled the
 
 6o,OOO army drivers and their OK teams and wagons. These men and animals are now back in their vil- lages, tilling the soil for the spring sowing.
 Learn by Experience.
 Bulgarian officers readily admit that they have learned a great deal from the Germans and Austro Hun garians. Not few of them show in appearance and bearing Though always accepted as a good soldier, the Bulgarian has hardly had the op- portunity to acquire the dash of his northern brothers-in-arms At pres ent therefore there is a general ten dency to be as much like the Ger man and Austro-Hungarian troops has influenced the cut of the BuIgar- ian officers uniform, and especially the shape of his cap, which formerly had a decided Russian tendency. Such German and Austrian greetings as "servus' and "Mahlzeit'' are univer- sally used and it is fashionable now to use the German "bitte'-please- instead of it's French equivalent for merly applied so much.
 Relations between members of the three armies are the best, though in the main the Bulgarian officer takes more easily to the German officer, principally because the ca pacity for work and organization of the latter has virtually overpowered the Bulgarian. The Bulgarian is generally a cold, calculating individ- ual with a very objective sort of mind, somewhat headstrong when it comes to defending his position, but ready for all that to take lessons to heart This has caused him to look upon the German officer as teacher of quality.
 Saloniki is held by the Entente troops simply for the reason that an evacuation would mean more loss of prestige. Such is the opinion here. The English and French have en- trenched themselves well, but driving them back within the protection of the works defending the port would be a very easy matter, say Bulgarian officers. In political circles it is pointed out. that Bulgaria is not in terested in driving the allies, out of Salonikl, at least for the present. That chase of the Balkan war con- cerns but Greece, it is argued. As- poets would be different in case the allied troops set foot upon Macedon- ian soil