New-York tribune., 1918-02-24

The total number Of men incapaci-
tated by wounds and sickness amount
ed to $4,000. Thus in six months time
the Serbian army lost one-third of its
effectiveness. The seriousness of this
vii realized when it is remembered
that with the exception of few hun
dred wounded and sick in treatment at
Corfu and Bizerta it has no reserves
whatever on which to draw. Under
these circumstances, unless reserve
is created for it, another twelve months
of campaigning on such a scale would
wipe the Serbian army out of existence.
Such rare reports as are received
from Serbia show that the Bulgars have
embarked on war of absolute exter-
mination, the unfortunate population
in the districts occupied by them being
massacred and left to starvation.
In the districts occupied by Austria
the population has been deported en-
massc to Austrian territory and forced
to work as slaves. Their places were
taken by thousands of Russian prison
ers, who are brought down to till the
soil and raise crops in the interests of
Germany and Austria. A clean sweep
has been made Of all the livestock in
the country.
Time Favorable
For Eastern Drive
The Importance Of the role which
may be played by the Slav clement in
the United States is difficult to cxag
gerate. It is estimated that the total
number of Slavs, naturalzed and not
naturalized, in the United States
amounts to over 100000. There is
little doubt they would fight with more
enthusiasm and more consciousness of
the greatness Of their race if they were
put alongside of their brother Slavs in
the world conflict.
On account of the impossibility of
looking for help in Russia the natural
point on which the Slav should fight
for the redemption Of his race is the
Balkan Peninsula. 1t is, therefore, of
the greatest interest and Importance
that this Slav element of the American
people should on mobilization not be
lost in the mass of recruits, but en-
rolled separately as Slavs in companies,
battalions, regiments, brigades and di-
visions.
There is no doubt that the present
is favorable moment for striking
blow in the Balkan peninsula. For
months past the Bulgarian Army has
been showing signs of the greatest de-
preston. Each of the six Serbian d-
visions has for months past counted
daily desertion from the Bulgarian
ranks amounting to ten per division,
that is to say sixty deserters per diem
upon the average.
In the month of February 1917 the
discontentment among the Bulgarian
troops reached such a point that
whole battalion left the trenches and
announced it's intention of returning
to Bulgaria. The general commanding
the section had to telegraph in hot
haste for a regiment of cavalry to head
them off. The battalion, however re-
fused at first to return, and pitched
battle took place between them and
their own cavalry. 1t was only when
two fresh battalions were brought up
that the deserting battalion was round
ed up and driven back to the trenches
they had quilted. Forty of the men
escaped into the woods and were not
recaptured.
Another thing which points to fail
ing confidence in their cause is the be-
lief held in the army (Which has been
stated not by one, but by a score Of
deserters) that the Zeppelin airship at
Sofia is being kept there, not for war
purposes, but as a means of escape for
the royal family should matters take
an unfortunate turn. One thing is GER
tain, that this airship, which is kept
ready for flight night and day, never
leaves its shed.
1t is possible that King Ferdinand
may fear revolution in his kingdom,
in which case it might be preferable
that he should pass over the heads of
his faithful subjects.