THE ENTENTE AND THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2592, 14 October 1915, Page 5

THE ENTENTE AND THE BALKANS

HISTORY OF THE ALLIES' J/DIPLOMACY

TOLD BY FRENCH PREMIER

BTJLGAR DUPLICITY By Telstrraph—Prosa Association—Copyright (Roc. October 13, 8 ion.) Paris, October 13. When the Chamber of Deputies met to-day tho members were in a state of feverish anticipation rcllecting that of tho public at large. The uneasiness was increased by rumours that tho negotiations of tho Entente' wero still incomplete. Certainly there was no evidence of effective unity of action among the Allies.

The Deputies listened to a speech by tho Premier (31. Yiviani) in tensest silence, which was broken with loud cheers when tho Premier announced that Russia was landing troops in' Bulgaria. The Entente. Policy. M. Viyiani said that. owing to the grave circumstances tho country was entitled to a clear statement on tho Balkan crisis. This 'had ' been engaging the Allies' attention before the war. The treaty of Bucharest left a feeling of deep rancour in Bulgaria, neither tho King nor the Bulgarians being resigned to the loss of the fruits of their sacriiices in the Turkish War or tho burden resulting from tho unjust war waged against Grecco and Serbia.

The Entente Powers therefore guided their policy in the spirit of generosity and justice, and tried to restore tho union of tho Balkan people, with tho view of satisfying their principal national aspirations and equilibrium, secured by mutual sacrifices.

This was freely assented to by each, and would have been tho best gunran.tee for future peacc. Notwithstanding the persevering efforts to which Rumania, Greece, and Serbia repeatedly' lent help, we were unable to obtain tlie sincere collaboration of tlie Bulgarian Governmont.

M Viviani added that the chief essential difficulty was tho negotiations at Sofia. "Bulgaria was advancing claims on all frontiers at the expense of her neighbours. We had reason to hope that Rumania, Greece, and Serbia would finally consent to sacrifices for which eaoli would receivo compensation. Our efforts with Rumania wero not without success, and. the state of semimobilisatjon in which she is holding her troops will enable her to i'epel aggression and keep a close watch on her frontiers. Rumania knows, moreover, that only a victory for the Quadruple Entento will assure her independence and satisfy her national aspirations. The equivocal attitude of the Bulgarian Government led Greece to maintain a policy of expectation." The Bulgar Machiavelll. "At the moment when the Quadruple Entento announced the extensive concessions to which Serbia had consented. King Ferdinand signed an agreement with Turkey and boiind himself definitely to Germany. To a friendly question regarding his intentions King Ferdinaud replied by mobilisation of his army. From both moral and military standpoints wo wero unable to consent to tho isolation of Serbia and tho interruption of communications with our friends and our Allies.

"Our action must bo energetic to eorrespond with the efforts of our enemies, who aro dominated by the Allies on tho Western front, and who have also been cheeked in Russia. They aro now seeking success in a new .field. To help tho Serbians it was necessary to pass through Salonika, and so soon as Bulgaria began to mobilise we entered into negotiations with the Greek Premier. These negotiations were natural, in view of the treat v between Grcece and Bulgaria .(? Serbia).

"It has been said that we have violated the neutrality of Greece; some have even dared to compare our action to Germany's violation of Belgium, when sho disowned her signature. The conditions under whicji we went to Salonika, and the reception accorded us, suffice to prove the inanity of these accusations. Energetic action has been taken by Britain and France in agreement with the Allies." Our Duty to Serbia, M. Viviani said that they weighed its difficulties.- "Our own special duty is a double one. Our chief preoccupation, which dominates all other considerations, is the defence of our, front and the deliverance of our territory: We must devote our strength and make sacrifices in blood to secure victory on our own soil. i

"But, without weakening our own front, it is our duty to perform a mission affecting our interests and honour. The understanding between Britain and Prance is complete. We are now fully agreed to help Serbia, who has asked for assistance, and also to insure for the benefit of Serbia, Greece, and Rumania, respect for the Bucharest Treaty. Russia has expressed anxiety to help Serbia, and to-morrow her troop's will fight side by side with ours. Gentlemen, without' Allies, we have done our duty. Never has accord between us been so complete and close, and never have wo been more confident of tlie common victory."