The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-19
To MAKE DRIVE.
ON AUSTRIA IN.
A SHORT Time
Allies Have Plans Mapped Out
to Attack Dual Monarchy
From South.
BEGIN ACTIVITY IN
THE BALKANS
Italians and French Expect to
Bear Brunt of the Planned
Onslaught.
BY GEORGE n. MANNING


WASHINGTON. D. c.. July 1s.-The
Allies have their plans prepared for a
big drive against Austro-Hungary from
the Italian and Greek frontiers which
will mark the beginning Of greater ac-
tivity in the Balkans where Germany
for the past two years has had almost
undisputed sway.
In the past six months numerous
events have occurred in Austria and
throughout the Balkans favorable to
the Allies and disastrous to Germany,
which make a drive from the south at
this time appear to hold considerable
advantage to the Allies.
italian and French forces are ex-
pected to bear the brunt of the fight
ing in southeastern Europe because
that region is easier for them to reach.
But some American and British co.
lonial regiments will do their part
and some help is hoped for from the
Greeks, who are now understood to be
about ready to put approximately 250,-
900 well armed and equipped men in
the field.
The proposed attack on Austria is
believed to come at a most opportune
time now when that country has hetsa>
struck a staggering blow by the Itsf-
ians along the Piave, and the countrsFs
population is in a turmoil with bread
riots and sabotage uprisinss.
A drive on Austria now would with
hold from Germany any possible help
from Austria-Hungary in withstanding
the increasing pressure of the Allies
along the west.
1t would also add immensely to the
flame of discomfort rapidly spreading
within the borders of Germany's prin-
cipal ally.
The Austrian government is known
to be approaching very near to a COM
p1ete downfall. 1t no longer has a
parliament. it has been bankrupt for
some time; it's army is discontented
and has lost it's fighting power and
spirit, and it's people are intensely
tired of the war and of German domi-
nation.
The recent activity of the Franco
Italian armies in Albania and Mace
donia is but the beginning of a big
drive intended to wrest from Germany
entire dominance of the regions lying
southeast of the German empire. -
For some time there was doubt OF
the advisability of sending complete
equipment to the Greek army. Bu.
that doubt has now been removed and
the Greek force has been assisted by
the Allies to the point where 25o,000
effectives can be put in the field.
While the Serbian and Greek armies
have been recovering from the mon.
strous effort of the combined German,
Austrian, Bulgarian and Turkish ar
mics to exterminate them the army of
Bulgaria right along their borders has
been growing steadily weaker and the
Bulgarian people becomin more dis.
contented.
The treaty which Germany made
with Rumania at Bucharest was all
for Germany and none for Bulgaria,
although Bulgaria expected great
things when she threw in her lot with
Germany against her kinsfolk. the
Dobrudja snatched away from her by
Germany and is not sure that Turkey
or Rumania will not eventually ge.
the southern Dobrudja.
Bulgarian people becoming more dis
shipped to Germany while the Bulga-
rian people starved until sentiment
has reached the point where an allied
offensive now would be most oppor-
tune and welcomed by a large part
of the Bulgarian people.
The field of action along the Adri-
attic now seems TO hold out such
promise for the Allies that some part
of the American army and other forces
in France may be drawn upon to aid
tear down Germany's back door.