The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-10
BULGARIA READY
Icontinued from Page One

is striving, namely, the realization Of
her ideals said the premier.
THE bulk of this aspiration lies in
Serbian Macedonia, which, with its
100000 Bulgarian peoples was
pledged and assigned to us at the
close of the first Balkan war. 1t is
still ours by right and principle and
nationality. When the triple entente
can assure us that this territory will
be returned to Bulgaria and our minor
claims in Grecian Macedonia and else
where realized, the allies will FIND us
ready to fight for them. But these
lutte. No more paper ones can be ac-
cepted.
Unfortunately our aspirations are
not attainable by direct force of our
own arms. We cannot go and take
the territory which we feel is right
fully ours.
Hears Overtures of Both Sides.
Instead, it must be coded to us by
ticipation of our arms in the general
conflict. We have, therefore, frank
ly and openly accepted the overtures
of both groups of powers with nego-
with both sides do we feel we can
secure the best guarantees that what
we desire can be attained.
"On the part of the allies, we are
asked for the direct participation in
the war of our entire army, whose
valor the whole world knows. On the
part of Germany, Austria and Tur-
key, we are only asked for a continu
alton of our neutrality until the end of
the war.
Frankly. this latter request we
are 10th to grant. We cannot tell
what the future holds for us To dis
count it entirely and tie our hands by
solemn pledges of continued neutral
ity would be impolitic indeed. We
might agree to remain neutral for
shorter period. But whether we re-
L
end and the motives governing our de-
cision will remain the same.
Must Have Guarantees.
1--WE have no disposition to play for
time in these negotiations. We seek
only to gain guarantees that will in
sure the absolute realization of our
national ideals and just what these
are it seems to me the world should
know.
There are now living outside the
lien Bulgarians. The bulk of these
irhabit the districts contiguous to us
and constitute the majority of the
population of these districts. We as
pire to have them united in one faith
erland. OF this total, 5000 inhabit
Russian Bessarabia; another 100000
are in Rumania. Others are in Thrace,
but the greater part, about 100000
mia. 1t is there we frankly admit that
the bulk of our national aspirations
also lie.
United Bulgaria Only Solution.
Already we have more than 100000
refugees largely from Grecian and
Serbian Macedonia. Indeed, half the
population of Sofia consists of refu-
sees They are our brothers-of our
own blood. Simply caring for them
can never be a real solution of the
great problem. Only a united Bull
garia can solve that.
while Bulgaria is ready to partic-
ipate in the war, she does not under
estimate the cost. She knows that
Turkey is strong-far stronger than
Europe yet realizes.
The fatigue which our army felt
at the close of the two successive wars
has passed away. Our troops are in
better condition and better equipped
than ever. They have been organized
on the Russian military system. Their
officers have studied in the leading
military schools of Europe.
THE whole nation is provisioned-
prepared as never before
Copyright, 1915, by United Press.)