History of the World War, Volume 3 (of 7) : $b An authentic narrative of the world's greatest warMarch, Francis A., Jr.
History
History of the World War, Volume 3 (of 7) : $b An authentic narrative of the world's greatest war
March, Francis A., Jr.
World War, 1914-1918
The Balkan question was raised at the outset of the war, even before
it came to the attention of the world. The Bucharest Treaty had left
in Bulgaria profound heartburnings. Neither King nor people were
resigned to the loss of the fruits of their efforts and sacrifices,
and to the consequences of the unjustifiable war they had waged upon
their former allies. From the first day, the Allied governments
took into account the dangers of such a situation, and sought a
means to remedy it. Their policy has proceeded in a spirit of
justice and generosity which has characterized the attitude of Great
Britain, Russia and Italy as well as France. We have attempted to
re-establish the union of the Baltic peoples, and in accord with them
seek the realization of their principal national aspirations. The
equilibrium thus obtained by mutual sacrifices really made by each
would have been the best guarantee of future peace. Despite constant
efforts in which Roumania, Greece and Serbia lent their assistance,
we have been unable to obtain the sincere collaboration of the
Bulgarian Government. The difficulties respecting the negotiations
were always at Sofia.
At the beginning of the war it appears, therefore, that Bulgaria was
entering into negotiations with the Allies, hoping to regain in this
way, some of the territory she had lost in the Second Baltic War. Many
of her leading statesmen and most distinguished generals favored the
cause of Russia, but in May came the great German advance in Galicia,
and the Allies’ stalemate in the Dardanelles, and the king, and his
supporters, found the way clear for a movement in favor of Germany.
Still protesting neutrality they signed a secret treaty with Berlin,
Vienna and Constantinople on July 17th. The Central Powers had promised
them not only what they had been asking, in Macedonia, but also the
Greek territory of Epirus. This treaty was concealed from those
Bulgarian leaders who still held to Russia, and on the 5th of October
Bulgaria formally entered into war on the side of Germany, and began an
attack on Serbia.
The full account of the intrigue which led to this action has never
been told. It is not improbable that King Ferdinand himself never had
any other idea than to act as he did, but he dissembled for a long
time. He set forth his claims in detail to the Allies, who used every
effort to induce Roumania, Greece and Serbia to make the concessions
that would be necessary. Such concessions were made, but not until it
was too late. In a telegram from Milan dated September 24th, an account
is given of an interview between Czar Ferdinand and a committee from
those Bulgarians who were opposed to the King’s policy.
“Mind your own head. I shall mind mine!” are the words which the King
spoke to M. Stambulivski when he received the five opposition members
who had come to warn him of the danger to which he was exposing
himself and the nation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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