m Xanthi. Here, on the
left bank of the Mesta River, which for some distance from its mouth
forms the Bulgar-Greek boundary, the Bulgarians were collecting
material for building pontoon bridges.

Naturally this action on the part of the Bulgarians caused wild
excitement throughout Greece. The government organs stated that the
forts had been taken by German forces, but this was soon proved to be
untrue.

In reporting this movement the Bulgarian Government added, by way of
explanation and excuse:

"Two months ago the Anglo-French troops began the abandonment of the
fortified camp at Saloniki and started a movement toward our frontier.
The principal enemy forces were stationed in the Vardar Valley and to
the eastward through Dovatupete to the Struma Valley, and to the
westward through the district of Subotsko and Vodena to Florina. A
part of the reconstituted Serbian army has also been landed at
Saloniki. Artillery fire has occurred daily during the past month."

Evidently Bulgaria was anxious to impress on the outside world the
fact that she had invaded Greek territory entirely for defensive
purposes, for only several days later a correspondent of the
Associated Press was allowed to send through a report of an inspection
he had made of the Bulgarian camp, something that had not previously
been permitted. From this report it was evident that the Bulgarian
army was not contemplating a forward movement.

These assurances probably had their effect in calming the excitement
in Greece, a result which Germany was no doubt wishful of obtaining.
Nevertheless the fact that the government had quietly permitted the
Bulgarians to take the forts was not by any means calculated to
increase its popularity with the masses and made for the strengthening
of the Venizelos party.

In spite of the formal protests which the Greek Government made
against the occupation of its territory and fortifications by
Bulgarian troops, there was not a little reason for suspecting that
the Skouloudis government was working on some secret understanding, if
not with the Bulgarians, then with the Germans. At least this was the
general impression that was created in France and England, as
reflected in the daily press.

On June 8, 1916, it was reported from Saloniki that the Allies were
about to institute a commercial blockade of Greek ports, preliminary
to presenting certain demands, the exact nature of which was not given
out, but which were expected