Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-21
BIG sERB-A[L|ED DRIVE
STRATEGIC THRUST ONLY
Such Is Opinion Of Brigadier- General
Scrivcn, Recently Returned
Observer
NO MAJOR SUCCESS ExrECrED
Advance on Large Scale in Region OF
Present Fighting Is Impossible,
Because Battling Will BE Limited
Ia slow SortiCS


%*:::N::~oN. Scr,er,A-- 2N-rho
Scrh-allicd drive on the south Balkan
'front.' where the Hulgars and Germans
nay" been driven more than twelve
Within heavy gun range IT the last Ser
hian stromshold III Monastir. is u stra-
iegtr thrus, only. nna no major success
* to he expected there.
This Is tn" export military opinion
Tonight ot RriEad!"r-tiencral George
Scrtren. recently returned military
mad" = several weeks study Of the
South Balkan front.
The Serbs, French. british and
Italians on that front may have aS
their objective. he believes the lire OF
railroad from rskup Ia Lake poira -.
along the Naria. and may reach that
line in the prrScnt drive. but further
success than that is not probable be
cause Of the nature OF the terrain. un-
loss the RulEars are driven into nhso-
lutte rout ANA Germany fails to inter
nose resistance with reserves, In such
event the drive might reach the main
raiiroad communication from i'skup to
'ipttatc retreat OF the EulcarS and
Germans IS unlikely. according 10 Cen
oral Scriven. who saws the EuiCar Is
no coward. but a fine lighting man
tired of the war. and that the Germans
will throw in reserves If such an adj
vance should threaten.
An advance oil large scale in this
-egi ion. where the present drive is going
m. says General Scriven. is physically
'mposs!hlc because Of the character. OF
the lighting. limited TO slow sortics.
with only the highest artillery. with
great difficulty, transported and placed.
TOPOGRAPHY DESCRIBED
AS soLIDIFIED TEMPEST
lie describes the topography As like
solidiiied tempest OF low peaks scat
brush and virtually no timber tutiinE
with rocks and Grcenish clay that inn
pedes lighting In n winter where there
70 ~ a
suitable for mule pack 10 carry light
mountain artillery in sections affords
opportunity for bringing up the guns,
men and machine guns against an
enemy with the natural fortihcations OF
great bare rocks and ravincs on every
ridge and innumerable ridges oehind
him for new stands.
General Scriven does not believe the
drive is aimed at cutting off Turkey
from German communication. or that
Turkey is vitality concerned in the
drive from the aspect OF forcing Tur-
key to abandon tho greater part OF her
resistance TO the British in Asia Minor.
Turkey has no troops on the South
Balkan front. and is not likely TO send
them as allies 10 the Bulgars Her
threatened loss of great territories is
virtually the only thing THAT keeps her
bound now 10 the losing Teutonic en-
says her allegiance is SlackeninS.
This is a strategic drive against the
BulEars," said General ScriTen. and
the results so far indicate weakening
morale OF very war-like people. not
that they have turned towards The
l'ics have chosen just the time TO take
Hnlgara's firing of the war. through
depression y. German defeats and dis
satisfaction over the controversy with
Turkey.
DRIVE NAY STRIKE
LINE or RAILROADS
The drive may strike the line OF
railroads, but the main object. be-
lieve. is the moral effect OH the BulGars
md Turks. expect TO see Germany
recently have had in that region sut-
ticiou: reserves 10 stop a great drive In
territory Of that south Balkan char
aCter,
The moral success already is con-
siderable, and may be increased, hut
4. majpr physical success is not likely
Ior is II at al probable that that Is
The allied line in the South Balkans
runs from north Of the mouth of the
Noiussa River along the Narda, and
y the Valley Of the Ocunc. held by the
Italians. who occupy the bend OF the
River Cerna. east of M,nastir, but west
of the region OF the present drive.
Thence To Lake Ochrid ana east OF Lake
prssba q Monastir are, tho French and
Serbs The Greeks and English are on
the riGh, o! tie line, the English west
Of LAX" Dorian.
The serbs. who have played the most
conspicuous part IN this drive have n
considerable army. They are a great
fighting men, steady and determined.
know thar kind OF country and hate
the Eulgar. perhaps. even more than
the Bulgar hates them The Serb is
Jus: the type OF soldier and in just the
Hulgar morale, to smash his traditional
foe"
For eGicient help OK every kind USE
irtta nfsI. f,,t