Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-05
EVENTS OF WEEK

The past week has been the first for three years
during which the Allies. with the exception Of the United
States. have, been opposed by only three active belliger-
ents instead of four. Bulgaria is out Of the war. The
request Of the Bulgarian government for an armistice
Tor the arrangement Of peace terms was rejected by the
French commander of the Allied armies in Macedonia,
who said, nevertheless, that he would. while continuing
his military operations, receive any Bulgarian delegates
who came properly accredited. The delegates were sent:
Bulgaria accepted the inevitable; and the terms of the
Allies were accepted in full. 1t is stipulated that the
Bulgarian armies are to be withdrawn from Greece and
Serbia; that they are to be disbanded on their return TO
their own country: that Bulgaria shall cease all COM
munlcation with the Central powers; and that the Allies
shall be at liberty to occupy such Bulgarian territory as
they may deem necessary.
The arrangement is not a treaty of peace, but the
military surrender Of a. defeated nation. 1t removes
Bulgaria from the field as a belligerent and leaves the
Allies with a free hand as to their future course in that
territory. Questions of political status and territorial
boundaries were not considered, and all such matters
are left for future determination.
The collapse of Bulgaria is the first real break that
has come in the solidarity of the Teutonic group in the
war. 1t is important for its immediate military effect,
for the indication which it affords of the waning fortunes
of Germany and her allies, and for the moral effect
which it is certain to have in Turkey, in Austria and in
Germany.
With Bulgarian opposition removed the way to the
southern border Of Austria is made more easy, and from
the moment when the Bulgarian surrender was an
-nounced it became evident that Austria must withdraw
her own troops and shorten her lines. This is actually
being done. The Austrians are Withdrawing from Bull
,garia, their action being fastened by the destruction Of
the port of Durazzo and all the war vessels in the harbor,
and the Austrians farther east have been hurriedly TAX
ing up new positions of defense. In the meantime the
Allied armies are moving rapidly to make the most of
their victory.
Berlin announced that the Turkish cabinet had c-
clared its intention to stand by the German alliance, but
other reports from Constantinople indicate the probable
ity of the early surrender of Turkey. The position of
Turkey is hopeless, as the withdrawal of Bulgaria prac-
tically cuts her off from effective communication with
Germany. while the phenomenal successes of the British
In Palestine have crippled Turkey in the opposite d-
.ection.
While events have been moving thus in the east
the Allies have continued their victories in France and
]. Belgium. During the week the Germans have abandoned
Armentieres, all that remained to them of Lens, 81.
Quentin, and scores of villages all along the line. In
Flanders the British and Belgians have driven a deep
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farther, will outflank the coast positions and compel
the abandonment of ostendS and zeebrugge. This will
deprive the Germans Of such use as they have been able
to make Of those ports as submarine bases, and viii re-
strict them to the use of their own ports away on the
farther side Of Holland.
In the Champagne district the Americans have been
making good progress, although the German resistance
has been stiff. The continued progress of the Americans
in that district will mean. in all probability, a German
retreat from practically all of the French territory now
occupied. In the meantime, as these lines are written the
British are within six miles of Lille, the greatest manu-
featuring city in northern France; Cambria is doomed,
and its fall appears to be but a matter of hours; and
Laon, the great fortress toward the south, is rapidly
being hemmed in. ..
This remarkable accumulation of the results of the
summer, campaign has come during the open days Of
the drive for the Fourth Liberty loan. The effect on
American sentiment has been cheering. In a way, also,
it has been unfortunate in some instances. Allied vic
tories have been so signal and so uninterrupted that in
some quarters there has been created an impression that
the war is nearly over, and that, after all, there will be
no need for much Of the effort that is now being put
forth. Those who are closest to the center Of things,
who know best what is in progress. and who have to
bear the heaviest load Of responsibility in connection
with the war. with one voice warn us against being
governed by any such belief The winning Of the war
~ taken for granted. But it's early conclusion, it is
pointed out, is possible only on the basis Of continued,
uninterrupted and increased effort, in this country and
abroad. and 1t would be fatal to pause for a moment
sin The shammering which is now being given to the Hun.
+ The Fourth Liberty loan Is not fully subscribed
1ithin the appointed time 1t will be due to the failure
m M people e appreciate the importance Of keeping
s6ysrsastingiy ~ II. The indications are that the proper
ssnAerst.nains e the subject viii be reached in time
s1ad that ths ~ billions and more Will be subscribed
stsRanpis time.
as,,-,ua, .uff.ss W Dsfor. the ssn.ss early i Il.