y. 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 Bulgarian Cabinet in reply to these warnings are
contradicted by facts. The representative of Russia, bound to
Bulgaria by the imperishable memory of her liberation from the
Turkish yoke, cannot sanction by his presence preparations for
fratricidal aggression against a Slav and allied people. The
Russian Minister has, therefore, received orders to leave Bulgaria
with all the staffs of the Legation and the Consulates if the
Bulgarian Government does not within twenty-four hours openly break
with the enemies of the Slav cause and of Russia, and does not at
once proceed to send away the officers belonging to the armies of
states who are at war with the powers of the Entente.

Similar ultimatums were presented by representatives of France and Great
Britain. Bulgaria's reply to these ultimatums was described as bold to
the verge of insolence. In substance she denied that German officers
were on the staffs of Bulgarian armies, but said that if they were
present that fact concerned only Bulgaria, which reserved the right to
invite whomsoever she liked. The Bulgarian Government then issued a
manifesto to the nation, announcing its decision to enter the war on the
side of the Central Powers. The manifesto reads as follows:

The Central Powers have promised us parts of Serbia, creating an
Austro-Hungarian border line, which is absolutely necessary for
Bulgaria's independence of the Serbians. We do not believe in the
promises of the Quadruple Entente. Italy, one of the Allies,
treacherously broke her treaty of thirty-three years. We believe in
Germany, which is fighting the whole world to fulfill her treaty
with Austria. Bulgaria must fight at the victor's side. The Germans
and Austro-H