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 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-Hungarians are victorious on all fronts.  Russia soon will have collapsed entirely.  Then will come the turn of France.  Italy and Serbia.  Bulgaria would commit suicide if she did not fight on the side of the Central Powers, which offer the only possibility of realizing her desire for a union of all Bulgarian peoples.

The manifesto also stated that Russia was fighting for Constantinople and the Dardanelles; Great Britain