Evening star., 1917-01-14

weakness SnOWu "eS'eH As'
in German Defense. ,nr,v in the
region of Arras and in Flanders, has
been the surprising weakness of the
German resistance against British and
French raiding detachments. The al
lied soldiers have been able to push
as far as the German third lines with
out meeting the enemy in force. These
raids have been the chief form of
activity during the past seyen-day
period.
Although big events are expected to
transpire on the western front. it is
not believed that the time is ripe for
the allied blow. though the increasing
number of raids and minor activities.
all looking toward the sounding out
Of enemy lines and inhiction of casual
ties. would Indicate that the allies are
preparing for an effort on a large scale
once the time is ripe.
The removal of large German forces
from the western front would indicate
that Field Marshal Won Hindenburg.
the German chief Of staff, is laying
plans for the immediate future in other
directions.
1t would not be surprising to see the
Germans strike at Italy in the Tren-
tino region, or at>the allied lines on
the Macedonian front. In the past week
it has been noticeable that large
forces of Bulgartans have been moved
to the eastern section Of the Mace
donian line, where the drive most
logically would be started. for the rea-
son that by pushing through to Greece
not only Saloniki. but other Grecian
points might be reached, all of which
would prove of great value to the Ger
mans In influencing the course of King
Constantine and his government.
Germans have withdrawn troops from
4 h pppvva nj mn
be believed that the Bulgarian rein
forcements sent south are from the
Dobrudja region, where the conquest
has been completed. Should the Ger
mans reach the River Pruth, on the
Bessarabian boundary line. there is
possibility that they will rest content
for the time being, while the Mace
donian or Italian campaigns are inaug-
urated.
The allied capitals are not in the
least apprehensive as to the possible
results of German offensive against
Gen. Serraifs armies in Macedonia-in
fact. possibly would welcome Ger
man drive at this juncture. for the en-
tente forces are declared to be suffi-
ciently strong to hold in check any
forces as the Germans might dispatch
against them. In fact. 1t is believed
that If the Germans do not strike first
Gen. Serial will usher in his loi-g ex-
pected forward movement with better
weather and the Teutons may be placed
further on the defensive.
As was predicted in this review of
last Sunday. the King of Greece and
his govern
Greece Once More m ent on e
more has ca
neeus TIC A4nee1e' pitulated to the
entente governments and their lat
est ultimatum. Athens announced
| early in the week that the lat
! est demands would be resisted by
| Greece. but King Constantine evidently.
| in view of the continuance of the al
| lied blockade and the prospect that
| general suffering would not be les
| sened. thought better of his position,
| and though possibly not gracefully,
gave in nevertheless.
| To further show his agreeabieness to
the entente demands. the king has de-
| livered several batteries of field guns
| into allied hands and the movement of
Grecian troops from Thessaly has been
| started.
| King Constantine is declared to have
| exacted a promise from Grecian reserv-
| lists that they will continue to obey the
| dictates of the monarch and this is an
| important feature for the reason that
| recently the reservists have shown
| signs of breaking way from royal or
| ders and carrying the fight to the al
lies on their own responsibility.
|
| AS early in the last year. Russian
and British activities in the regions of
! ha not