The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1912-1921, 1918-09-21
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WHAT OF BULGARIA AND TURKEY?

WHAT OF BULGARIA AND TURKEY?
With the beginning of what promises to be
an important Allied offensive on the Balkan
front, the question Of the relations between the
United States and Bulgaria and Turkey be-
comes enc of pressing Importance. The coun-
try where the French, Serbians, Greeks, British
and Italians are operating, or are about to OBJ
crate, offers many difficulties to an invading
force. It is defended, except in few places,
by chain of mountains now in possession of
the Bulgarians, easily held against a superior
army. Yet the Bulgarians so far have been
apparently unable to make any determined re-
slstance, II we may judge by the rapidity of the
advance and the number of prisoners taken.
They have had some German help just how
much is doubtful; in any case, it has not avail
ed them much. The main objects of the Allies
offensive are clear. The French and Serbians,
who have widened the front they hold in both
directions purpose to turn the Bulgarian flank
at Monastir in the west and to push up the Var
car Valley to Uskub in the east The Greeks,
presumably with the cooperation of the Brit
ish, probably are making ready for an advance
up the Struma to Sofia. If either operation is
successful, the position of Bulgaria will become
pefllous; 1t both are successful, he is likely to
be forced out of the war altogether.
This new offensive, therefore, which prom
ises to be major operation Of the first conse-
qusnce, is not mere local enterprise on the
Part OF individual commanders It is part of
Foch's comprehensive plan and as such it in
@oves the use of American troops at his will
Now that we have unified command, the Unit
Ied States cannot separate itself in military
sense from any of it's allies, even though its
soldiers may be separated in physical sense
from some part of the Allies front. But in
separating itself from them in diplomatic
sense it occupies an Illogical not to say unrea-
sonable, position 1t is a familiar principle in
war that the allies of your ally become your al.
lies and that the enemies of your ally become
your enemies. But the case of Bulgaria and of
Turkey is not an abstract Case but very con-
crete one. Our hesitation to declare war upon
the former is producing the same painful i'm
preston upon the Serbs and Greeks that our
hesitation to declare war upon Austria produc-
ca upon the Italians. It makes them feel that
we are haf-hearted, that we have no real in
terest in the wrongs which they have suffered.
Mr. Savadijian's open letter to the President the
other day made this very clear. Mr.. Vesnitch.
the Serbian minister at Paris also insists that
a declaration of war by the United States is
what Bulgaria fears most and the effect of such
: declaration, followed by the appearance of
American troops, would be very great
NO doubt the administration has its own rea-
sons for delay that to many persons seems in
applicable. But it would be interesting to know
what they are. The fear that Americans might
suffer in Turkey is hardly justification for re-
naming on terms of friendship with nation
fnaF is slaughterng Christian peoples; the hope
that Bulgaria might be used in negotiating
peace-a hope the reply to the Austrian propo-
Is practically disclaims-shouId not restrain
from making the only appropriate answer to
the horrible atrocities perpetrateo upon the
Serbs by the Bulgars. Public Ledger.
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The much Wanted efficiency of the German
armies is well displayed in their retreatng CD
eratlons. Nothing, apparently, can halt them
once they are headed toward the rear.
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II after the Russian exposures the Allies
should listen to any kind of peace talk from Ger
many they would deserve to be fooled.
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General Won Ardenne has devised new
phrase, smoothing angles for the German re-
treats before the attacks Of the Allies An Angle
IS terrible thing for an army to have lying
around loose.
ID