Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

BULGARIA ENTERS THE WAR. 19

to result in Bulgaria assuming an aggressive attitude on the side of our enemies, we are prepared to give to our friends in the Balkans all the support in our power in the manner that would be most welcome to them, in concert with our Allies, without reserve and without qualification.

“We are, of course, in consultation with our Allies on the situation, and I believe that the view that I express is theirs also.

“ Qur policy has been to secure agreement between the Balkan States, which would assure to each of them not only independence, but a brilliant future, based as a general principle on the territorial and political union of kindred nationalities. To secure this agreement we have recognized that the legitimate aspirations of all Balkan States must find satisfaction.

“ The policy of Germany, on the other hand, has been to create for her own purposes disunion and war between the Balkan States. She first made use of Austria-Hungary to precipitate a European war, with the result that that Empire is now completely subordinated to Germany and dependent upon her. Turkey, whose interests would have been preserved by remaining neutral, was gratuitously forced by Germany into this war, and, having been used, is now being subordinated and made dependent upon Germany, in order to realize the German aspiration of German influence from Berlin to Bagdad. In the same way it would naturally be Germany's policy to use any Balkan State she could influence to further this plan, with the inevitable result that that State would eventually be subordinated to her ; and, though territorial gains might be promised, it would lose real independence.

“ This is directly contrary to the policy of the Allies, which is to further the national aspirations of the Balkan States without sacrificing the independence of any of them.”

This statement left something to be desired in fullness ; but as expounded by Sir Edward Grey in a later debate on 2nd November it was sufficiently clear, and it cannot have been misunderstood by Serbia. It was based on the promise, made along with France, to M. Venizelos to send