The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-28
DEFEAT ADMITTED
BY ARMISTICE PLEA
Ruigaria's Application for
Peace Was Not Unexpected.
Special Cabie Despatch TO The SuN.
Copyright, 1918: oil 1iohfs reserved.

Copyright, 1918: all rights rese-ved.
PARIS, Sept. 27.-News Of the Bull
garian offer for an armistice with the
idea of eventually reaching terms OF
peace was received BY the French War
Ministry this morning in despatch
from from Gen. dEsperey. commanding
the allied armies in Macedonia. The pro-
poeai was examined by Premier Glenn
enceau and other members Of the Cabi-
net and they appeared satisfied that the
offer was a sign of the admission of the
enemy's defeat. The application OF Bull
garia for an armistice to discuss terms
OF peace was not unforeseen and not un-
expected.
The answer Of Gen. d'Esperey that he
would receive authorized Bulgarian dele
rates. but that he would not suspend
operations for forty-eigN hours, as the
Bulgarians asked. conforms with the
policy of the French Government. ana
the Allies too, that the balkan cam
paign must be pressed until there Ii an
unconditional surrender.
In reply to the Bulgarian request
Gen. d'Esperey sent the following:
Ny responseI that. send through
the Bulgarian officet. Barring the letter
in question. cannot be. by reason Of
the military situation. other than the
following: ..s.
can accord neither an armistice
nor a suspension of hostiiities tend
ing to interrupt the operations in
course. On the other hand, j will
receive with all due courtesy the dele
gates. duly qualified. Of the Royal
Bulgarian Goverpments 70 which your
Excellency alludes in the letter. These
delegates to present themselves In
the British lines. accompanied bv =
parliamentaire.. -
FnANcHEr p'EsPEREY.
Other dispatches reaching Paris to-
day indicated that the Bulgarian pro-
posal had the sanction OF King Ferdi-
nand, for they said the Minister of FL
nance of Bulgaria and Gen. Luokoff COM
mander of the Second Bulgarian Army
were on their way to the French head.
quarters TO discuss the arrnistice ano
the probable negotiations, which Nigh,
eliminate in peace. The reason that
Gen. d'Esperey specified in his reply
that the Bulgarian representative,
should present themselves before The
British line was that the request fol
the armistice had come through 9
British General commanding an army
IN the east. The Bulgarians evidentl,
had not received Gen. d'Esperey's reply
for their delegates are proceeding u
the French headquarters in Macedonia
Since Gen. d'Esperey acted without In
struction. but In accordance with tn
piaps Of the French Government. n,
further instructions have been sent Il
him, although II Is prObabls that a con
ference will be held among the Entent
nations, including the United States, 4
decide on a joint reply or joint action OF
the request for peace. the first that ha
come to the allied nations.
The Governments opinion Is that tn
offer is a ruse to permit Germany 4
gain time In sending reinforcement
Many Deputies in the French chambe
were questioned regarding accepting tn
offer. and not from a single one o
them, of whatever shade of politics
opinion. could an expression favorabl
20 such a policy be obtained. All ad
vocated the complete invasion OF Bull
saria. by way Of giving that country
taste of its own medicine.
1t has been learned that a Bulgaria
senior officer crossed the line In an al
tomobile. and when received at Frenc
headquarters was told that Bulgari
had broken the peace on her own mi
tiatiye and must bear the consequence
The Government looks upon the offe
as proof that the Bulgarian militar.
strength IL broken and that the interns
situation Is desperate. The fact tha
Bulgaria IL willing to negotiate befor
her own soil is hardly invaded prove
that she has not the slightest hope OF
German victory.
One member OF the Government OK
pressed the opinion that the offer wa
another German trick to involve the En-
tente In negotiation, even II only on on
front.
In view OF the fact that the Serbian
cavalry is twenty miles northeast O
Istib and the British beyond Strum
nitxa II 10 considered not surprising tina
Gen. d'Esperey refused the armistic,
The Bulgarian eastern armies are In
perilous position, and few hours Nigh
enable them to save themselves from de
struction. At present there 10 every pos
sibility OF their defeat being turned int
an absolute disaster. for the allied troop
are cutting behind the lines an the Bul
Rarisns hasten their retreat towar
Soma.
Paris heard to-day that the allied OF
erations In Bulgaria were continuin
most favorably, and the fact that Blu
garia has been penetrated gives rise {
the hope that the Bulgarian capital wi
be reached within three weeks.