Evening journal., 1918-10-01
PEACE IS SPEEDED,
DECLARE OFFICIALS
Capital Leaders Say Bulgar
Collapse Will Shorten
War Many Months
MAY SEND NEEDED
FOOD TO COUNTRY

WASHINGTON. Oct. i.-complete VIC
tor$ and the end OF the war are brought
months nearer by the Bulgarian col
lapse. in the opinion OF members OF
the Cabinet and high officials here. The
full slgninoance. of this initial breakup
In the ranks of the Teutonic alliance Is
ho1ri,-i becoming clearer, and all the
1s.sst advices magnify Its Importance.
Reports have already been flashed from
London that Turkey IS preparing TO fol-
low Bulgaria's example, and though
unconflrmed they are nevertheless re-
garded as rejecting the panic In Con-
stantinople
News that Bulgaria had accepted the
Allies terms reached here before Presi-
dent Wilson went ia the Capitol TO
draw the first number in the draft lot
terry and to deliver his address on
woman suffrage.
Berlin reports that the American
Charge d'Affaires at Sofa accompanied
the Bulgarian delegates to Salonica
were interpreted here to mean that
Daminic l. Murphy, American Consul
General at Sofia, was meant. ~ was
said at the State Department. that Mr..
Murphy had no Instructions to make
this move and that he had been ordered
back to his post. There is no criticism
implied, but the Department desires
him TO remain in Sofia.
Mr.. Panaretoff, the Bulgarian Minis
ter, who called. on Secretary Lansing
Yesterday. expressed the beNef that
Bulgaria would be friendly TO any allied
moves against Turkey and would be
practically on the side OF the Allies
from now until the end Of the war.
The one factor in the situation which
Is In any doubt Is whether Germany or
Austria can make good their boasts and
send enough forces into Bulgaria TO
rescue the territory for the Teutonic
Pause. The reports that GermRn troops
have been Withdrawn from Rumania
are regarded as forecasting the entry Of
these troops into Bulgaria. Because
The definite loss Of Bulgaria would be
such a vital blow to the Central Powers
It IS expected that the most desperate
efforts may be made to send troops now
10 the scene Of the Bulgarian collapse.
Germany is expected to make a desper-
ate attempt TO keep control OF the Ber-
lin 10 Constantlnople railway.
The prompt acceptance Of the allied
proposals. however. leaves the allied
military leaders time to take possession
Of strategic points and prepare for the
German menace.
Al least one member OF the Cabinet
believes that Germany is now in no
position effectively TO prevent the con-
summation of the Allies plans no mat
ter how desirous she may, be OF doing
so. This official believes that Germany
now Is much weaker than any one
dared hone. He points out that the rich
oil and grain fields OF south Russia VIII
be opened 20 the Allies.
II is pointed out here, economic de-
pleiion and distress have played an I'M
portant part In Bulgarian affairs. Al
most bankrupt in finance, her lndus-
tries wrecked from the strain OF three
years OF lighting. the country faces the
coming winter without clothing or
supplies and with the prospect OF star
walton for thousands before the COM
ing of summer.
brought and hot weather during the
early days OF last summer left Bull
garia with little prospect OF a food
crop this year. AS early as last May
preparations were begun for the inn
portation OF wheat from other coun-
tries. and about 100000 bushels were re-
ceived from Moldavia during June. SO
low did the bread ration become In
July that the government found II
necessary 10 increase the meat allot-
ment OF each person, although the
available supply had then diminished to
a point insufficient TO meet even the
military needs Of the country.
Only in the section between Philip
popolis and Tirnovo-Seyman did the
crops come up to reasonable expecta-
fions. The drought that reduced the
food crops OF Austria and Rumania af-
fected Bulgaria almost as severely.
. Prices scared and all commodities were
placed under strict government super
vision.
The Bulgarian collapse opens an en-
tirely new field for consideration by
the food officials Of the United States.
Crops have failed in Rumanla as they
did in Bulgaria. and southern Russia IS
already in the grip Of starvation. With
Bulgaria out OF the war channel is
opened through which food supplies
NAV be brought to the Rumanians as
well as a direct line Of communications
between the Allies and the
southern Russians.
Food 10 save Bulgaria must come
from the United States. The channel
for this relief is open in the fact that
while Bulgaria has been the ally OF the
Teutonic empires, the United States has
never broken relations with her. and
her Minister, NJ. Panaretoff, is stationed
In Washington now. This country has
however, from all CONNER
cial intercourse with the Bulgarians and
declined to permit supplies Of any kind
70 reach that country from American
ports.
To what extent the United States IS
prepared to take care of food needs of
0uisaria was not made known here