nforcements to Bulgaria. Secretary Lansing made the
announcement that the United States Government had received a proposal
for an armistice.

It appeared that Bulgaria had been maneuvering toward peace for some
time. The Bulgarians had foreseen their inability to meet the expected
Allied attack, and had made every effort to obtain German
reinforcements. Moreover, they were highly dissatisfied with the
treatment they had received from Germany in connection with Bulgaria's
dispute with Turkey as to territorial dispositions to be made after the
war. Probably the most important reason, however, for the Bulgarian
overthrow was that by this time they were sick of the war. They had not,
in the first place, gone into it with any enthusiasm, and though they
could fight bravely enough against their Serbian foe, no true Bulgarian
could ever feel himself in a natural position facing his old-time
Russian friend.

Bulgaria had come to the end. Malinoff, the Premier, had from the
beginning been opposed to the war. Mobs in Sofia were demanding
surrender. Ferdinand was compelled to give way to the wishes of his
Cabinet and his people, and in spite of the fact that he had promised
the Kaiser to remain faithful to the Alliance, he gave his consent to
the movement for unconditional surrender.

An official Bulgarian statement read as follows: "In view of the
conjunction of circumstances which have recently arisen, and after the
position had been jointly discussed with all competent authorities, the
Bulgarian Government, desiring to put an end to the bloodshed, has
authorized the Commander-in-Chief of the army to propose to the
Generalissimo of the armies of the Entente at Saloniki, a cessation of
hostilities, and the entering into of negotiations for obtaining an
armistice and peace. The members of the Bulgarian delegation left
yesterday evening in order to get into touch with the Plenipotentiaries
of the Entente belligerents." This statement was dated September 24th.

When the Bulgarian officers entrusted with the proposal for an armistice
presented themselves at Saloniki, General d'Esperey gave the following
reply: "My response cannot be, by reason of the military situation,
other than the following. I can accord neither an armistice nor a
suspension of hostilities tending to interrupt the operations in course.
On the other hand, I will receive with all due courtesy the delegates
duly qualified of the Royal Bulgarian Government." The