BULGARIA AND THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1886, 5 October 1918, Page 2

BULGARIA AND THE WAR.

THE formal entry of Bulgaria in (he war dales from October sth, 1915, the crisis being finally precipitated by the* Russian Minister notifying Bulgaria that diplomatic relations were at an end, a step in which he was followed by his British and French colleagues. A peculiarly complicated cross-current ol intrigue preceded the event. Bulgarian leanings towards the Central Bowers became apparent in August —it was learned that a treaty had been signed on July 1/lh. German agents, one after another, visited Solia, while Servia, uneasily Avalching the trend of events, gravely warned the Allies several times of the sinister possibilities ahead. Between September 14th and ’2oth a treaty was signed between Bulgaria and Turkey, certainly but not overtly providing for a military alliance. On September 21st the German advance on Servia began, and 'M. Venizelos, believing that Greece must come to the assistance of her ally, asked Britain and France for 150,090 troops. Bulgaria then commenced to mobilise, explaining that she contemplated merely armed neutrality. Exceedingly outspoken protests were made from within the country against this action, but to no purpose, King’ Ferdinand refusing to listen to any counsels. On September 27th, Servia advised Britain she considered it wise to attack Bulgaria before mobilisation was complete, (he comparative lack of success attending the opening of von Mackensen's offensive leaving her still capable of taking that action. This suggestion was not accepted by the British Government, which declared that diplomatic and political arguments were against it. The Greek mobilisation continued meantime. On October Ist word came that many German officers were at Solia in consultation with the Bulgarian staff. Two days afterwards Russia informed (he Bulgarian Government (hat it would break off relations unless it did not “within 24 hours openly break with the enemies of (he Slav cause and of Russia.’’ The reply to (he Russian Note was unsatisfaT-tnTT7“and on October slh Bulgaria entered the war in fact, placing an army of JOU.UOO men at the disposal ,of Germany, opening communication between the Central Bowers and Turkey with its supplies of food, cotton and metals, and giving a new air of reality to the German dream of “.Miltel Europe,” and domination from Berlin to Bagdad. Bulgaria's active share in the war includes her participation in the invasion of Servia in the autumn of 1915, the defence of the Macedonian front against the allied campaign at the end of 1910, which resulted in the capture of Monastir, assistance to Germany and Turkey in the campaign against Houmania during the same period, and the occupation of a large allied force from October, 1915, till (he opening of the offensive on September Kith last, which has resulted in her.defeat and surrender.