Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-05
The Saloniki Expedition.

There has been much surprise over the appar-
ent sIowness of the Saloniki expedition. Why is
it. critics ask, that General Sarrail with nearly
million men at his disposal puts off the big drive
he was expected long ago to inaugurate? Why
has he not undertaken a formidable counter often
sive in Macedonia for the relief of the hard pressed
Rumanians? What can be the purpose and func-
ton of this great army of British, French, Serbs,
Russians and Italians if it is merely to threaten
without striking the enemy?
The same sort of questions were asked of the
British forces on the western front when the Ger
mans were hurting tempests of steel against Yer
dun In England and France as well as in this
country impatient critics were bewildered and
sometimes hotly indignant at what they called
British inaction. But in the light of later devel-
opments the seeming mystery cleared up as con-
sistentIy followed plan of common sense. The Of
fensive was deferred in order that might be con-
certed and sustained instead of local and passing
thrust BY waiting until they thoroughly
prepared in munition supplies well as in num-
hers and training the British saved time while ap
parently losing it.
II is not improbable that the future will
pIain the Saloniki expedition similar grounds.
That the Allies have large purpose in their Bal
kan adventure is indicated by the hundreds of
thousands of men they have sent to its support,
Great Britain France. Russia, Italy and Serbia all
contributing So great force would not have
been assembled merely for political effect on Ru-
mania and. Greece nor would aggressive action
on broad scale be deferred without necessity or
good reason. 1t may be assumed that General Sar-
rail would have struck out boldly last summer,
when the Allies pounding the enemy on all
other fronts had conditions permitted or justified.
Certainly, he would have struck to help Rumania
if there had been chance to do so without sacri-
ficng weighty interests.
What some of the restraining circumstances of
the SaIoniki expedition have been is suggested by
Herbert Corey who is with the Serbian army in
the Balkans. Those critics, writes Mr.. Corey, who
think that all the Allies had to do was to land
troops and then "go whooping ahead" should take
a look into the facts. Three of the particularly
formidable difficulties with which General Sarrail
has had to contend described by Mr.. Corey:
He was forced 10 land troops and NUM-
lions through a single port, in which all
oceangoing ships must discharge cargo by
lighters. He found no roads fit for troop
transport in the country in the of Sa-
Ioniki. He was called to fight and move
troops through one of the most unhealthful
countries in the world; the Macedonian
laria is type peculiar to itself n
In the past year General Sarrail has built
considerably more than 1000 miles of road,
a good part of it railroad, and has pushed
most Incredible difficulties. During the wet
season the Macedonian mud is quite bottom
less. Every motor. every cart, every gallon
of essence. every horse, every tool and equip
ment, had to be brought overseas a voyage
which averaged months duration for cargo
vessels. Before that could-be done the seas
had to be cleared OF submarines which
done by the British navy. At least, it was
nearly done Now and then submarine shows
its head, but not often.
Three-quarters of certain battalions have
been invaIided home A sick rate of fifty per
cent, is a common thing. Twenty-Five per cent
is mere commonplaceness. General Sarrail
has called for men, and more men. and still
more men. Critics in France and elsewhere
who did not know the true conditions-or did
not appreciate them at their full value
have said most unpleasant things about this
leader They have not realized that to put
one man in the field he has been forced to
import three men. The transports returning
to France and England were almost full
the ships coming 10 SalOniki.
The fact that in the face. OF such obstacles
roads have been built, supplies moved forward
and the expedition brought at. last to a point of
general readiness for the stirring work ahead de-
notes vast deal of vigor and efficiency. The long
awaited offensive may have to bide the passing of
the present winter but unless something now
wholly unforeseen intrudes, next spring should wit
ness the big drive 10 cut the n-Constantinope
railway and thereby isolate Bulgaria and Turkey
from the Teuton empires. That task would be
far easier if Rumania had not been overrun but
IS Accomplishment is still within the range of
innings possible and probable. The Serbian army,
aided by French contingent, already has captured
Monastir, point of much strategic value because
of the numerous highways that center there, and
has pressed on some distance farther north. When
the combined forces of the Saloniki expedition are
released for the offensive. events of farreaching
Importance should ensue.