Serbia's Breach of the Treaty with Bulgaria

The Broken Treaty

Before the second war started, Serbia had already broken the treaty made with Bulgaria. This treaty had been agreed upon before the war with Turkey. Serbia broke the treaty both in spirit and in practice.

If Great Britain was right to declare war on Germany for breaking the Belgian neutrality treaty, then Bulgaria was even more justified in going to war with Serbia. This is because Bulgaria had already sacrificed 1,228 officers and 82,261 soldiers in the war against Turkey.

Serbia’s losses in the same war were 23,000, but there was no breakdown between officers and soldiers.

Greece’s losses during the war against Turkey were not given to the Carnegie Commission.

The Role of Russia and Austria

It is hard to understand why Russia allowed Bulgaria to be treated so unfairly, especially with the Treaty of Bucharest. This treaty was based on two broken treaties. The only explanation for Russia’s actions is its policy at that time, described by Russia’s minister in Belgrade, Monsieur Hartwegg: “Serbia must be strong Turkey Sightseeing.”

Russia’s policy seemed to involve weakening Bulgaria. This explains why Russia allowed the Treaty of London to be broken by Turkey as well.

As for Austria, it did not protest against the Treaty of Bucharest. This was because Austria did not want to offend Roumania and knew that Russia’s actions would upset Bulgaria. Serbia would also be weakened by its temporary control over Macedonia, as well as by the bitter hostility of the Bulgarian race.

The betrayal of Bulgaria by Serbia and the support of Russia and Austria for the Treaty of Bucharest all show how Bulgaria was treated unfairly. This made Bulgaria even more justified in going to war, as the country had already sacrificed so much for the cause.