THE INTERVIEW WITH KING FERDINAND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2586, 7 October 1915, Page 5

THE INTERVIEW WITH KING FERDINAND

PREMIER DECLARES HIS POLICY

AUSTRO-GERMAN-BULGAR INVASION OF .-: . - SERBIA V 1 '

1 By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrtgkv . Buoharest, October 5. After the tragic audience between the King and the Opposition leaders, King Ferdinand .telephoned tb M. Radoslavoff; "What is the Government about it the chiefs of the Opposition are allowed to insult and threaten the King in his own palace?" ' ' , j ' 1 ■ M. Radoslavoff-hastened to the palace, and found the King' pale and trembling. '■ . After the interview M. Eadoslavoff convened a conference of his own followers and inyit'ed the Opposition. He there and then announced that Bulgaria was unable to accept the Entente's proposals because'they concerned neither Macedonia noi the Greek territories. .

M. Radoslavoff ended by announcing a military convention with Germany and Austria for the invasion of Serbia. Henceforth it was impossible to retrace the steps and declarations. Having achieved their object, the Oppositionists were silenced for that day..

There were great Austro-German demonstrations in the street,

A STORMY SESSION OF BULGARIAN COUNCIL.

\ ,(Rec. October 6,'10.30 p.m.) I . London, October 5. . It is now,announced that the Russian Note only reached' Sofia at 4 o'clock on Monday,afternoon. The time limit has expired, but there has scarcely been time yet for tho receipt of the Bulgarian reply. ' The British and Trench Ministers at Sofia have notified M. Radoslavoff that' they will withdraw with the Russian Minister if the. Note is rejected. The chief anxiety now is whether Rumania is; going to co-operate; otherwise there'is intense relief in Britain and'Frauce over the clearing up of tho Balkan tangle., Tho Allies have been spared tho unpleasant task of putting pressure on • . i\ '• . •> Messages from Sofia state that upon the reception of the Russian Note King Ferdinand was.highly alarmed, and convoked the Council of the Crown. There was a vehement deliberation over the matter for several hours, and the meeting broke up without arriving at a decision. 'General Savoff concluded his, speech by declaring: "Every Bulgar" who".breaks' from the Russians commits'treason towards his country." ■ ' • ■ .

ANOTHER STATEMENT/OF POLICY BY :M. RADOSLAVOFF

("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.).

(Rec. October 6, 5.5 p.m.)'

■ . . 1 London, October 5. M. Radoslavoff, (the Bulgarian Premier) informed tho American', reporters that Bulgaria had adopted a position of armed, neutrality because events were tending to a conflagration _in the Balkans. The resumption of tho AustroGerman offensive against Serbia, and the movements of troops in the neighbouring Strifes, had compelled Bulgaria to mobilise. "This is not an aggressivo policy,-but'we regard tho Serbo-Greek refusals .to recognise our rights in Macedonia as obstinate and serious,''-lib added. , /

THE .RUSSIAN ULTIMATUM TO BULGARIA. /

. New York, October 5. A Iteutar message from Potfograd states: "It is".r.ow announced that Russia's ultimatum was delivered to M. liadoslavoff (Premier of Bulgaria) at 4' o'clock on Monday afternoon." KING FERDINAND'S TROUBLES MULTIPLYING: (Rec. October 6, 10.30 p.m.) London, October 6. i'A.-telegram from Bucharest suggests that Bulgaria is on the verge of civii'war. Four thousand Bulgarian deserters have crossed the Rumanian frontier. _ ' . Kiug Ferdinand is continually conferring with the Parliamentary leaders, who manifest a desire to re-open negotiations with the Entente. This, however, is impossible, as the Allies have definitely informed Greece that all negotiations with regard to the cession of Macedonia and Greek territory were broken before the landing at Salonika. ■ . _ . The Bulgarian clergy aro Russophile, and this adds to King. Ferdinand's alarm. Meanwhile the Bulgarian army remains completely in the power of the German officers. The Ministry for.War and tlio railway services aro full of Germans; the King is surrounded by Germans, and tho Bulgarian Generals are unwilling to accept the post of_ commander-in-chief because tho appointee would bo under German orders. King Ferdinand, therefore, will command the army. j ■ ' PRECAUTIONS AT THE KING'S PALACE. London, October 5. ( The "Daily Telegraph's" Sofia correspondent states that precautions have been redoubled in the neighbourhood of the palace. • King Ferdinand is'hutryinis on the mobilisation, which is rovy slow, oirlwg to tliß Jiflstilitv a! t.hs country. folk.' - >