The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-02-28
PREDICTS HUN
.DRIVENBALKAS
Thinks Campaign at SaIoniki
More Likely Than on
Western Front.

(Ryley Grannon. In Washington Post. }
The enormous scope of the changes
on the eastern front half incline many
military experts among the allied ma =
tions to the opinion that the German
command has made another quick
change OF plans. If that be true, the
next big strokes of the war will occur
in the Balkans and in Italy.
AS soon as Rumania has been forced
to sign a peace treaty, there will be
nominal peace all along the eastern
front, from Petrograd to Saloniki. The
Austro German divisions facing Ru-
mania number about 40, or. roughly
speaking. 100000 men. Against them
are 100000 Rumanians. in desperate
straits for food and surrounded by en-
emies Once Rumania Is brought to
compulsory peace, the German AUS
trian forces may be sent to other
fronts. 4t
Move on Macedonia Threatened.
Some OF the military observers be-
lieve these forces will be sent south
ward to attack the allied forces In
MdCcuOHld. IHey DHSG tHlb Dellcl
this line Of reasoning: B
A decision on the western front Is
questionable. IL Germany could be
sure of breaking through. she might
not hesitate to risk 100000 men in
the attempt. But failure would be
ruinous. If, however, Germany should
pacify the eastern front and then turn
her attention to the cleaning UP OF the
Balkans and Italy, she would have
achieved two desirable encs, even IL
the succeeding struggle on the western
front should result In draw.
There Is something doing in the Bal
kans. Sir Eric Geddes, the head of the
British admiralty. is now Saloniki.
The purpose of his visit is, of course,
not divulged. but the natural presump-
tion is that he is looking over the
transport situation in view OF great
events.
Informed on German. Plans.
Does he foresee German drive, or
are the allies preparing to forestall the
enemy by making drive from Sa-
loniki? Probably the chief commands
both of the allies and the enemy, could |
answer this question. 1t has been made |
plain by MIR. Lloyd George that the |
allies are well informed regarding |
Germany's general plans. and are pre- |
pared to checkmate them.
One feature Of the Russian collapse |
is the gain by the Germans of immense |
war booty. There are about 10000 big |
and little guns, all made by the allies, /
which Germany is gathering in, to-
gether with ammunition therefor; |
about 100000 rifles. of the Mann
Iicher Mauser and Lebel pattern; TO-
boo motor cars, mostly made In the
United States, besides great stores OF
petrol from Baku and Galicia.
These stores may enable Germany
TO release some of her workers from
munitions factories for time.
Enormous Stores Captured.
The ammunition and small-arms
booty now available to Germany Is
scattered in many Russian Junction
owns, such as wilma, Kovno. Dnbno.
Irovno. Rovno, Dvinsk, Minsk, Ihito-
mir. Pskov and Reval. In addition TO
primary war material, there are also
yreat stores OF cloth. leather wood.
tic. as well as some quantities of cop
ser and rubber.
The possibility Of an enemy drive In
he Balkans is increased by this addi-
ion to the supplies OF the enemy
,rmies. The steady preparation Of the
Creek army is not overlooked at Ber-
in. Neither is the steady northward
march of the British army In Pales-
inc. An onslaught upon Gen. Gull
aumat's army at Saloniki by Field
farshal Won Mackensen's German
austrian Bulgarian army would bring
he entire near eastern situation to
ead.
Allies Lines Threatened.
As the allied army is supplied (
argely by an overland route through
tally and Albania. there is always (
respect that a German drive In th' !
.alkans would be accompanied by n
rive In Italy TO cut off the allied lana
ne of communications. |
The Mediterranean line OF communi-
alton is subject to savage attacks by ,
nbmarines. Sometimes the insurane"
remiums on ships and cargoes in tho
reach 40 per cent. on
ngle voyage. The difficulty OF main
lining a full-fedged military naval
for an army Of 100000 10
10 900 men is so great and complex
1at il is not surprising to see Sir Eric
eddes personally attacking the prob
m.