to destroy Germany’s competition; France for Alsace and Lorraine, and the other allies to rob foreign countries; the Central Powers were declared to be fighting to defend property and assure peaceful progress.  The manifesto filled seven columns in the newspapers, and discussed at some length Bulgaria’s trade interests.  It attacked Serbia most bitterly, declaring that Serbia had oppressed the Bulgarian population of Macedonia in a most barbarous manner; that she had attacked Bulgarian territory and that the Bulgarian troops had been forced to fight for the defense of their own soil.  In fact it was written in quite the usual German manner.

Long before this M. Venizelos, the Greek Premier, had perceived what was coming.  Greece was bound by treaty to assist Serbia if she were attacked by Bulgaria.  On September 21st, Venizelos asked France and Britain for a hundred and fifty thousand troops.  On the 24th, the Allies agreed to this and Greece at once began to mobilize.  His policy was received with great enthusiasm in the Greek Chamber, and former Premier Gounaris, amid applause, expressed his support of the government.

On October 6th an announcement from Athens stated that Premier Venizelos had resigned, the King having informed him that he was unable to support the policy of his Minister.  King Constantine was a brother-in-law of the German Emperor, and although professing neutrality he had steadily opposed M. Venizelos’ policy.  He had once before forced M. Venizelos’ resignation, but at the general elections which followed, the Greek statesman was returned to power by a decisive majority.

[Illustration:  Scene of great allied offensive that defeated Bulgaria in September, 1918]

Intense indignation was caused by the King’s action, though the King was able to procure the support of a considerable party.  Venizelos’ resignation was precipitated by the landing of the Allied troops in Saloniki.  They had come at the invitation of Venizelos, but the opposition protested against the occupation of Greek territory by foreign troops.  After a disorderly session in which Venizelos explained to the Chamber of Deputies the circumstances connected with the landing, the Chamber passed a vote of confidence in the Government by 142 to 102.  The substance of his argument may be found in his conclusion: 

“We have a treaty with Serbia.  If we are honest we will leave nothing undone to insure its fulfillment in letter and spirit.  Only if we are rogues may we find excuses to avoid our obligations.”

Upon his first resignation M. Zaimis was appointed Premier, and declared for a policy of armed neutrality.  This position was sharply criticised by Venizelos, but for a time became the policy of the Greek Government.  Meantime the Allied troops were arriving at Saloniki.  On October 3d, seventy thousand French troops arrived.  A formal protest was made by the Greek commandant, who then directed the harbor officials to assist in arranging the landing.  In a short time the Allied forces amounted to a hundred and fifty thousand men, but the German campaign was moving rapidly.