The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-23
DEFEAT OF TURKS.
SEEMS ASSURED.
Central Powers Can Do Nothing
to Retrieve Situation in
Palestine.
HUNGARIAN UNITS REVOLT
Diplomats Of Capital Take Opti.
mistic View Of Wars Re.
cent DEVELOPMENTS.

Washington, ID. c.. Sept. 23.-Turkey
and Bulgaria today are liabilities In
stead of assets to the central powers,
diplomats here declared. The situa-
tion developing from the wonderful
victory of Gen. Allenby's crack forces
in Palestine and the combined Serbian
French offensive In the Balkan area
has embarrassed Austro-H Hungary and
Germany. The latter powers have been
called on for reinforcements at time
; when they can Ill afford to spare n
single man, and there is grave doubt
here whether they will be able to send
these In time to prevent the complete
decentralization of King Ferdinand's
army of Bulgars. They can do MOTH
| ing to retrieve the situation In Pales-
| tine, 1t now seems certain. The re-
| suit must be of very material benefit
to the allies. a$
The present Serbian French Often
sive means the early isolation OF Con-
stantinople from Berlin and Vienna.
diplomats here say. This accomplished.
1t will be h comparatively easy task
to defeat Turkey. That would mean
the opening of the Dardanelles and
would give the allies a gateway into
southern RUSSIA. which would permit
them to dispute Germany's domination
ONCT lIdt IlCil ItSioI. IL aiSO WouiN
make possible many military maneu-
vers that would embarrass Germany
and Austria. especially now when con-
ditions on the western front are such
that they cannot spare men for action
in any other theatre of war.
Barrier Raised.
Officials here believe that the de-
velopments in Palestine and in the
Balkans area has raised barrier
against any renewed serious offensive
by the Austrians against Italy. II this
is so, another real complication has
raised for the Vienna control. The
Austrian troops have not responded
with willingness to the demand that
they go to the west front to strengthen
the Germans. Already 1t is known
several crack Hungarian units have re-
voltcd when ordered there.
The Austrian forces who engaged In
the fighting in the st. Mihiel sector
had no real stomach for their work.
Many of them surrendered at the first
opportunity. And these troops were
among the best that Austria has In
the field. So. it Is believed here, that
II the high command insists that the
Austrians reinforce the Germans on the
western front to release German units
for service in STRENGTHENING the Bull
garian armies in the valley Of the
Vardar, instead Of using these troops
against the Italians. condition OF
military discomfort will result that will
be difficult to handle.
Important Developments.
The next six weeks are certain to be
very important to the ultimate out
come of the war. Not alone are the
central powers on the defensive at
every point, but they are compelled
to deal with internal developments that
are becoming increasingly favorable to
the allies.
1t was realization of this that
brought about Austria's recent peace
move. The immediate rejection of the
offer hv President Wilson s+ren ~thencd
the allied position materially. The re-
suit Of the combined military and
political successes. officials here say,
has been to materially advance ulti-
mate and complete victory for the
United States and the entente.