The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-29

Buigarta's Appeal for Peace.
The Bulgarians have received an
answer to their request for armis-I
tice with purpose of discussing
peace. The request may or may not
have been sincere. The Allies know
the tricky ruler. FERDINAND; they
know Bulgaria from her intrigues
with Germany at the beginning of
the war and the sale of her aid to
satisfy greed for territorial acquisi-
ton. Military operations will not be
suspended: the price of peace Is q
complete severance Of present rela-
tons with the Central Powers and
their allies.
That there would be decided adj
vantages to the Allies in such a
peace there is no question. The eff
feet upon Germany at this time Of
the loss Of an ally whose Intervention
she had so determlnedly sought and
from whom she had expected 80 much
in support and supplies cannot but
be serious. Besides this the restora-
ton Of Rumanla to the Allied cause
would be practically certain, and the
isolation Of Turkey from the Gen.
trail Powers would be definitely &C
complished. Not only would q way
be opened over Serbia for an attack
upon Austria on the south, but the
Italians position would be strength
ened by the extension of their line
across the Balkan peninsula.
The situation in the Balkan region
would be materially changed. The
control which the Central Powers
have exercised in southeastern Eu-
rope would pass. The ability Of Aus
tria- Hungary to dictate at Berlin's
command the policy Of these States
would end, and the South Slavs, now
strongly organized, would have the
opportunity that they long sought for
the assertion and maintenance of
their rights to n separate national
existence.
The reason for this weakening of
Bulgaria at the first threat of inva-
sion and the first menace to her capt.
tai Is not clear. Bulgaria was looked
upon as the strongest and most mill
tary of the southeastern European
States: her highest measure of praise
was to be styled 1.-THE Prussia of the
Balkans" She entered the war with
grim determination for conquest |;
she swept over Serbia, destroying
homes and burning towns. and after
doing her best to settle the perplex-
ing question Of racial predominance
by attempting to annihilate the Serb
people, she calmly demanded as her
share Of war spoils the lands she
had devastated. Political differences
Is one reason assigned for her desire
for peace; war weariness Of her peo-
pie Is another.
But in striking contrast is the
course Of the Serbians. Their coun-
try was invaded not alone by the
Bulgarians, but by the armies Of the
German and Austrian Empires. They
were driven from their homes and
their nation, and their people were
wantonly slaughtered. They fed as
a nation because resistance to such
an overwhelming force was hopeless /;
in their frightful passage through
the SHOWS Of the Albanian mountains
they were inspired by the hope of
saving enough of their men to pre-
serve an army. They asked no armis-
tice. They were offered peace, but
not peace with honor, and they re-
mained loyal to their allies. An army
arose from their mountains to their
aid. an army that to-day is winning
back their land and homes, an army
fighting not for loot or conquest, but
for the nations honor. The Serbians'
faithfulness in sufferings and priva-
lions was not forgotten when the
Allies answered Bulgaria's cry for
an armlstice and peace.