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
Events which are taking place in Bulgaria at this moment give
evidence of the definite decision of King Ferdinand’s Government to
place the fate of its country in the hands of Germany. The presence
of German and Austrian officers at the Ministry of War and on the
staffs of the army, the concentration of troops in the zone bordering
on Serbia, and the extensive financial support accepted from her
enemies by the Sofia Cabinet, no longer leave any doubt as to the
object of the present military preparations of Bulgaria. The powers
of the Entente, who have at heart the realization of the aspirations
of the Bulgarian people, have on many occasions warned M. Radoslavoff
that any hostile act against Serbia would be considered as directed
against themselves. The assurances given by the head of the Bulgarian
Cabinet in reply to these warnings are contradicted by facts. The
representative of Russia, bound to Bulgaria by the imperishable
memory of her liberation from the Turkish yoke, cannot sanction by
his presence preparations for fratricidal aggression against a Slav
and allied people. The Russian Minister has, therefore, received
orders to leave Bulgaria with all the staffs of the Legation and the
Consulates if the Bulgarian Government does not within twenty-four
hours openly break with the enemies of the Slav cause and of Russia,
and does not at once proceed to send away the officers belonging to
the armies of states who are at war with the powers of the Entente.
Similar ultimatums were presented by representatives of France and
Great Britain. Bulgaria’s reply to these ultimatums was described as
bold to the verge of insolence. In substance she denied that German
officers were on the staffs of Bulgarian armies, but said that if they
were present that fact concerned only Bulgaria, which reserved the
right to invite whomsoever she liked. The Bulgarian Government then
issued a manifesto to the nation, announcing its decision to enter the
war on the side of the Central Powers. The manifesto reads as follows:
The Central Powers have promised us parts of Serbia, creating an
Austro-Hungarian border line, which is absolutely necessary for
Bulgaria’s independence of the Serbians. We do not believe in the
promises of the Quadruple Entente. Italy, one of the Allies,
treacherously broke her treaty of thirty-three years. We believe in
Germany, which is fighting the whole world to fulfill her treaty
with Austria. Bulgaria must fight at the victor’s side. The Germans
and Austro-Hungarians are victorious on all fronts. Russia soon will
have collapsed entirely. Then will come the turn of France, Italy
and Serbia. Bulgaria would commit suicide if she did not fight on
the side of the Central Powers, which offer the only possibility of
realizing her desire for a union of all Bulgarian peoples.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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