eason of the succession of events which have occurred in my kingdom,
and which demand a sacrifice from each citizen, even to the surrendering
of oneself for the well being of all, I desire to give as the first
example the sacrifice of myself. Despite the sacred ties, which for
thirty-two years have bound me so firmly to this country, for whose
prosperity and greatness I have given all my powers, I have decided to
renounce the royal Bulgarian crown in favor of my eldest son, His
Highness the Prince Royal Boris of Tirnovo. I call upon all faithful
subjects and true patriots to unite as one man about the throne of King
Boris, to lift the country from its difficult situation, and to elevate
new Bulgaria to the height to which it is predestined.

Before signing his declaration of abdication he had consulted with the
party leaders and received their approval. King Ferdinand had lost his
popularity ever since it became apparent that he had made a mistake in
siding with the Teutonic Powers. He was undoubtedly in fear that a
revolution might upset the whole dynasty. Premier Malinoff announced the
abdication to the Bulgarian Parliament, and the accession of Prince
Boris to the throne was received with much enthusiasm. The church bells
were rung, and great crowds gathered in the streets.

Speaking from the steps of the Palace the new King said; "I thank you
for your manifestation of patriotic sentiments. I have faith in the good
star of Bulgaria, and I believe that the Bulgar people, by their good
qualities and co-operation, are directed to a brilliant future." King
Ferdinand, it was given out, had renounced politics and was intending in
the future to devote himself to his favorite pursuits, chiefly to
botany.

The surrender of Bulgaria was at once recognized as the overthrow of
Germany's "Mittel-Europa" threat, which had apparently been carried into
effect when Turkey and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers. It had for a
long time been one of Germany's most coveted aims. After the
Franco-Prussian war the German people had grown enormously in wealth and
in numbers. It had become one of the greatest manufacturing powers in
the world. Its ships were transporting its commerce on every sea, but it
was not satisfied. The German leaders, most of whom were young men at
the time of the war with France, and had been deeply impressed by a
sense of the German power, were full of the idea that Germany was the
greatest of nations, and that