emed to her, therefore,
that the punishment of Serbia would make up for other failures, and
moreover would enable her to assist Turkey, which needed munitions,
besides releasing for Germany supplies of food and other material which
might come from Turkey. They therefore entrusted an expedition against
Serbia to Field Marshal von Mackensen, and had begun to gather an army
for that purpose, north of the Danube.

This army of course was mainly composed of Austrian troops, but was
stiffened throughout by some of the best regiments from the German army.
To assist this new army they counted upon Bulgaria, with whom they had
already a secret treaty, and in spite of the falsehoods issued from
Sofia, the Bulgarian mobilization was meant for an attack on Serbia. The
condition of affairs was well understood in Russia.

On October 2, 1915, M. Sazonov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
issued the following statement: "The situation in the Balkans is very
grave. The whole Russian nation is aroused by the unthinkable treachery
of Ferdinand and his Government to the Slavic cause. Bulgaria owes her
independence to Russia, and yet seems willing now to become a vassal of
Russia's enemies. In her attitude towards Serbia, when Serbia is
fighting for her very existence, Bulgaria puts herself in the class with
Turkey. We do not believe that the Bulgarian people sympathize with the
action of their ruler therefore, the Allies are disposed to give them
time for reflection. If they persist in their present treacherous course
they must answer to Russia." The next day the following ultimatum from
Russia was handed the Bulgarian Prime Minister:

Events which are taking place in Bulgaria at this moment give evidence
of the definite decision of King Ferdinand's Government to place the
fate of its country in the hands of Germany. The presence of German and
Austrian officers at the Ministry of War and on the staffs of the army,
the concentration of troops in the zone bordering on Serbia, and the
extensive financial support accepted from her enemies by the Sofia
Cabinet, no longer leave any doubt as to the object of the present
military preparations of Bulgaria. The powers of the Entente, who have
at heart the realization of the aspirations of the Bulgarian
people, have on many occasions warned M. Radoslavoff that any hostile
act against Serbia would be considered as directed against themselves.
The assurances given by the head of the Bulgari