The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-09-30


Bulgarian representatives agreed to an
armistice-probably the first step in Bul.
garia's withdrawal from the alliance with
the central powers-a few days less than
three years after she entered the war. 1t
was on Oct. s, 1915, rifat Bulgaria issued
manifesto announcing her decision to
cast her lot against the entente alliance.
She had been Is months in deciding her
course.
In the manifesto issued at the time Of
her entrance into the ranks Of the bel
ligerents, the Bulgarian government de-
clared that her trade interests and eco.
nomic rights were inseparably bound up
with Turkey, Germany and Austria.
Germany had offered Bulgaria in return
for her neutrality the whole of Mace.
donia, including Uskub, Monastir and
Ochrida. A still greater territorial ex-
pansion at the expense of Serbia was
said to have been offered as condition
of active military assistance.
During the period of Bulgarian neu-
trality, both the entente alliance and the
central powers had made offers to Bull
garia, and Russia, who for years had pro-
tected Bulgarian interests, sent an ulti-
matum to Bulgaria early in October,
1915 Bulgaria refused the Russian De.
mands.
The Bulgarian manifesto said Bulgaria
did not believe in the promises of the en-
tente and that Bulgaria must fight at
the victor's side" It was reported at
that time and never denied authorita
lively, that secret treaty had been
signed between Bulgaria and Germany
concerning Bulgarian participation in the
war on July IL 1915.
Bulgaria was invaded by British
troops at a point north Of Salonili and
on Sept. 27 General Franchet d'Esperey
the allied generalissimo, announced that
he had received from the Bulgarian gov
ernment proposal that military opera
tions be suspended pending negotiations
for an armistice. Pending discussion OF
the Bulgarian proposal by the allied gov
ernments, the French general said he
would not stop fighting but would re-
ceive representatives of the Bulgarian
army. The Bulgarian representatives
reached Saloniki Saturday, and negotia,
tions were opened Sunday.
AS the armistice has been arranged on
terms laid down by the allies, it is prob.
able that it calls for the occupation Of
Bulgaria by allied troNrs, with the as.
sistance of the Bulgarian government
Bulgaria probably will be compelled ia
break off all communication with the
central powers and also withdraw her
armies from Serbia, Greece, Rumania and
other war theatres.
Before the allied troops can take over
the occupation of Bulgaria, it is not un-
likely that the Bulgarian military party
and Germany and Austria will make de-
termined efforts to keep Bulgaria in the
Teutonic alliance, because the secession
of Bulgaria would mean the collapse OF
German aims in Turkey and the near
east, the probable elimination Of Turkey
from the war, and the reconstruction OF
the eastern front, with Rumania taking
leading part.
1t has been reported that Bulgaria
blamed Germany for her defeat in Mace
donia because the Germans had not sent
reinforcements promptly. Since the an
nouncement that Bulgaria had proposed
an armistice, reports have come out OF
Germany that Teutonic troops ere be-
ing hurried to Bulgaria. Through Swift
zerland, it was reported Sunday that
German troops were being withdrawn
from Rumania. Their destination was not
given, but it is probable they are being
moved across the frontier into Bulgaria.
Germany not unlikely win make strong
attempt to keep control of the railroad
from Berlin to Constantinople, which
runs through Sofia.
Bulgaria's withdrawal from the Teu-
tonic alliance not only would place Tur-
key in a .perilous position, but would
free Serbia and the southern bank OF
the Danube, from which the allied troops
could advance into Austria Hungary
where the political and economic situa.
tion has been causing the government
much trouble From the allied standpoint
the occupation of Bulgaria by allied sol
diers probably would mean more than
the detection of Russia has meant.
There is strong pro-entente party in
Bulgaria, and its leaders eeemingly would
seize the present opportunity to oppose
more strongly the German party there
probably leading to. the revolt against
the Hohenzollern dynasty, headed by
King Ferdinand