Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-01
H FIRST E

The closing Of an armistice with. Bulgaria, on terms
dictated entirely by the Allies, marks the first break
that has como in the ranks Of the Central powers since
the beginning Of a war which has now lasted more than
four years. As such it may be accepted as the hardin;
ger Of a general 'peace-not a peace by understanding
or arrangement, but a peace forced upon an unwilling
adversary by the might Of Allied arms and the unity OF
Allied spirit.
The terms exacted by the Alies in this case are 80
comprehensive that it may be, taken for granted that
save for sporadic opposition 81 sngall forces devoted. I'd
the support Of the Teutonic court, Bulgaria is definitely
out Of the war. She would never have consented to the
severance Of communication with Germany and Aus
tria, the withdrawal of her own forces from Serbia,
Greece and Rumania, and the occupation OF her own
territory by the Allies with the assistance Of her own
armies unless she had intended, and expected her act to
be final. - 80. rM 4.s
The elimination Of Bulgaria will hasten the elimina-
ton of Turkey, which had already become inevitable.
Turkey has drawn her inspiration and her support from
Germany. The two nations were partly forced into the
war by their more powerful neishbor. and partly led
intoit by glowing promises Of political, commercial and
territorial assrandizement. They have found that in
stead Of partners with Germany they were merely slaves
chained to the German chariot, and Bulgaria has taken
the opportunity to cast off the letters. That Turkey will
follow suit is a foregone conclusion. The reverses which
she has suffered in Mesopotamia have shaken her to the
very center, ana the recent annihilaticn' of her forces in
Palestine is nothing short of a catastrophe to her. Cut
off from communication with the Central empires, open
to attack from every side, she has merely the opportu-
nifty to choose between early capitulation and the car
rying on of a hopeless struggle in which she can do no
more than postpone by a short time the occupation Of
her entire territory by the troops OF the Allies.
with Bulgaria out Of the way the armies which
have brought her to her kneesewin beat liberty to turn
their attention to Austria. Tho battle line which has
been established from the Adriatics to the Aegean, and
which has brought about the equalization OF Bulgaria.
must be held back from Austrian territory by Austrian
armies alone, If held back at all. Large sections OF. the
population, Slavic in origin and sympathy, are now on
the verge Of revolt. Runania, forced into an oppressive
and distasteful treaty with Germany, will be at liberty
to give vent to her feelings Of dissatisfaction. Ukrania
Is in similar case. It remains to be seen whether AUS
tria will fight it out to a certain defeat, OF, will abandon
her ally before her alliance has utterly disrupted her
own government.
In tho meantime, the little fire which Marshal Foch
started on July IS on the banks OF the Marine has grown
into I eonflagration which reached from the North Sea
into Lorraine. and at. every point on that long line the
German forces are in retreat. Germany can send no
help to her failing allies, and she can receive none from
them. Her schenning has failed, and the. military
strength 70 which she pinned her faith is being ground
to powder. e