Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-07
In the Balkans

= ERMANN'S sweeping victory in DOH
" rudja. which has thrown the Russian
and Roumanian forces back close TO the Rus
sian line. is reflected in the stifrened attitude
of kinS Constantine and his advisers. The
Greek government has declined TO give
reparation for the recent street fighting in
Athens, has refused TO surrender the Ncni-
2ellSt supporters who have been placed under
arrest. and i'll other ways has failed to meet
the demands of the entente ministers.
The visit Of the British and French Pre-
miers 10 Rome, where they will confer with
representatives of Italy. also is concerned with
the situation in the Balkans and the problem
oil reinforcing the armies OF General Sarrail.
III is obvious that the allied defeats in Mace
donia and the nearly complete collapse OF
~Roumanian resistance will release a great
Cermal, Bulgarian and Turkish army for
the march on Monastir and Saloniki. While
1t is reported that Field Marshal Mackensen
has informed King Constantine that this adj
venture cannot be undertaken within two
months. and that i'll the interim Constantine
must depend on his own strength 10 resist
the allied demands, Constantine's renewcd OBJ
stinacy indicates either that the report is in
correct or that he feels himself capable OF
standing alone.
The time has passed. we believe. when the
allies would consider tho abandonment OF the
campaign in the Near East. While il is vet
probable that the war will be decided on tho
western front, the east is the prize for which
Germany now contends. The tender of peace
in itself is proof OF this theory. The Kaiser,
convinced al last he cannot break through
to Paris and the channel ports, has turned
his eyes in the other direction. Through the
conquest of his own allies, already virtually
accomplished he would control all central
Europe and stretch his sovereign sway across
the DardanelleS to the Persian Gulf.
Ihe present military obstacle to the at
taiiinlent OF that ambition is the allied army
operating from Saloniki. The man princi-
paliy responsible for the retention of these
forces i'll the Balkans was Premier BRAND. Of
France. and his most earnest supporter among
allied statesmen was the present Prime Min
'ster OF Great Britain. Brands prophetic
eye detected the revised German policy while
IL was yet III doubt. and he ovcrruled Joffre to
Keep Sarrail in Macedonia. Joffre has gone
and Briand is allpowcrful; he and Llovd
George Will stick To their guns.
The assistance that is needed must como
from Italy, which should be able 10 spar,
troops enough to permit Sarrail's advance to-
ware Nish and Sofia. There arc arguments
at hand. moreover, which probably will in
cline Italy to act. Even now, it is clear. Ger
many is willing TO withdraw from Belgium
and France and probably to make restitution.
so that the immediate objects OF Britain and
France could he obtained without further
struggle. In the territorial sense. The allied
lighting is for Italy and Russia. the Balkan
states and the prevention of German predom-
nance.
This situation probably will be explained
exactly To the Italian government. Italy can
send troops across the Adriatic 10 Albania
1t Will be surprising il this is not done.
According to the Department of Labor