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

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22 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

Russian Minister notified M. Radoslavoy that diplomatic relations were at an end, a step in which he was presently followed by his French and British colleagues.

From this day, 5th October, we may date Bulgaria’s formal entrance into the war. She took some pains to justify her course in a long official pamphlet, of which she distributed copies broadcast throughout her towns and villages. It is a curious document. Russia, she declared, was fighting for Constantinople and the Dardanelles; France for AlsaceLorraine ; Britain to ruin Germany; Italy, Serbia, and Montenegro for plunder. The Teutonic Alliance, on the other hand, fought only to maintain the status quo, and to ensure peace and progress for the world. Neutrality in the early stages had been advisable. “ Neutrality has enabled us to bring the military and material preparedness of our army to such a pitch as has never before been reached.” The document then embarked on economics. Bulgaria’s trade interests were inseparably bound up with Turkey, Germany, and Austro-Hungary. Germany had lent Bulgaria money after the Treaty of Bucharest, and would in future give her financial support. She would be faced with economic collapse unless she took the part of the Central Powers. Serbia was discussed in a strain of lurid malevolence. She was the eternal enemy, and, since she was Russia’s darling, Russian and Bulgarian policy must stand in conflict. The Western Allies had offered no real advantages. They had demanded that Bulgaria should place her army unreservedly at their disposal in order to take Constantinople and hand it over to Russia. In return she was to