Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

20 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

150,000 men to Salonika to enable Greece to fulfil | her treaty obligations. The words without reserve and without qualification ’ referred to the fact that so long as there had been a hope of Balkan unity the Allied Powers had urged upon Greece and Serbia certain territorial concessions to Bulgaria. But if Bulgaria joined the Teutonic League, then all question of concessions disappeared, and the help that the Allies would be prepared to give to Greece and Serbia would be granted without reserve or qualification.

On that day the Greek Parliament met. M. Venizelos explained that mobilization was a necessary precaution, and declared that in certain contingencies Greece was bound by treaty to assist Serbia, though he sincerely hoped that the casus foederis would not arise. A bill was introduced for a loan of six million sterling, and M. Goumaris, on behalf of the Opposition, tendered his support to the Government.

On 1st October word came that many German officers were at Sofia in consultation with the Bul-

Oct. 1. Baran Staff. This piece of news, which

: was no novelty, seems to have convinced

the Allied Governments at last of Bulgaria’s intentions. That evening the British Foreign Office issued a statement announcing the fact, recalling the precedent of Turkey the year before, and declaring that the situation must now be regarded as “ of the utmost gravity.” Next day, M. Venizelos formally protested against the projected Allied oO landing at Salonika. It was the kind of protest which diplomacy demands from territorial sovereigns, and was intended by the