The Greek white book, supplementary diplomatic documents, 1913-1917

Front matter

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Part First

Mr. Streit

Mr. Gennadius

Mr. Alexandropoulos

Mr. Panas

Mr. Streit

1914 Athens, 3Iay 30/

June 12

London, June 2/15

Belgrade, June 3/16

Constantinople,

June 4/17

The Greek Government, confronted by the anti-Hellenic persecutions in Turkey, addresses Itself to the Serbian Government to demand its aid as ally.

Steps by the Minister of Serbia with the British Government to bring about an intervention of the Powers at Constantinople.

Reply of the Serbian Governmi'nt to the steps taken by the Greek Government in order to demand its aid as an ally.

Energetic steps by the Charg6 d'Affaires of Serbia with the Ottoman Government with a view to putting a stop to the anti-Hellenic persecutions.

The Greek Government thanks the Serbian Government for the steps taken at Constantinople.

Page

No.

Mr. Venizelos

Sept. 7

Mr. Streit

Mr. Romanes

Mr. Skouloudis

Mr. Skouloudis

Athens, Mar. 13/26

Paris, Feb. 26/

Mar. 11

Letter of Mr. Venizelos to King Constantine.

The President of the Ministerial Council tenders his resignation in consequence of a telegram prepared by Admiral Kerr after an audience with the King, and in reply to a step taken by the British Admiralty, contain ing the declaration that Greece, in no case, would enter upon war against Turkey unless previ ously attacked by her.

Memorandxun by Mr.

Streit on the probable results of the war and on the policy to be followed by Greece.

Report of an interview with Mr. Delcasse on the impression made by the dismissal of Mr. Venizelos.

Mr. Skouloudis attempts to justify the attitude of his Government toward the Entente.

Transmission by the Ministers of the Entente of a memorandum with regard to the evacuation of Salonika by the Greek troops and with regard to certain other measures.

Instructions given to the Minister of Greece at Paris to

No. Name of signatory

11 12

Mr. Romanos Mr. Skouloudis

Paris, Nov. 14/27 Athens, Nov. 27/

Dec. 10

Feb. 8

Athens, Mar. 9/22

Athens, Mar. 20/

Apr. 2

Athens, Apr. 27/

May 10 inquire into the object of these measures.

Reply of Mr. Briand.

Drawing up of an agreement with the Ministers of the Entente as to the conditions of the stay of the Allies at Sa^ lonika.

Circular of the Minis ter of War (General Staff of the Army ordering the Greek troops of Macedonia to withdraw from the frontier In case of the appearance of German or Bulgarian troops.

Circular of the Minister of War supplementing the preceding.

Circular of the Minister of War with regard to the formation, by the mutual withdrawal of Greek troops and Germano- Bulgarian troops, of a neutral zone on the frontier in order to avoid disagreeable incidents. Energetic steps by the Greek Government to put an end to certain Bulgarian excesses which had taken place on the frontier.

Circular of the Minister of War explaining the preceding and ordering the Greek troops to repulse by force every advance

Page

20 21

No.

Commander Mavroudis

General Gennadis

General Gennadis

Colonel Messalas

Roupel, May 13/26

Salonika, May 13/26 by the Germano- Bulgarians of more than 500 metres this side of the frontier line.

Order of the Minister of War to General Gennadis, Commander of the 4th Army Corps at Cavalla, not to have recourse to force on his own initiative in case of an advance of the Germano-Bulgarians of less than 500 metres.

Commander Mavroudis, in charge of Fort Roupel, announces the appearance of a hostile column.

The 6th Division at Serres has ordered Fort Roupel to oppose by force any Germano-Bulgarian advance of more than 500 metres from the frontier in accordance with the last orders of the Ministry.

Tlie 6th Division announces that two Bulgarian or German regiments have taken up their positions in battle order before Hodjovo.

The Commander of Roupel telegraphs that the Germano- Bulgarians have declared that they were going to occupy the fort.

Circular of the Minister of War again

No. Name of signatory

General Gennadds

General Bairas

Commander Mavroudis Captain Thiel

Mr. Skouloudis

Serres, May 14/27

Roupel, May 14/27

June 3 putting in force the circular of Mar. 9/22 which ordered the Greek troops to fall back before the Germano-BuIgarians.

Fort Roupel fired upon the Germano-Bulgarians who beat a precipitate retreat.

In consequence of this fact and in accord with the preceding ministerial circular the Commander of the 4th Army Corps gave orders to cease all resistance.

The Commander of Roupel reports that a Bulgarian officer presented to him an order demanding the evacuation of the fort and the surrender of the war material.

Protocol of the surrender of Fort Roupel and of the deliv ery of its war ma tcrial.

Order of the Minister of War to the Command'er of the 6th Division to inform the Bulgarians that the occupation of the railroad station of Demir-Hissar would have to form the object of a new agreement.

Mr. Skouloudis, contradicting the statement that Fort Roupel had been occupied in consequence of a previous ar-

No.

Commander Mavroudis

Demir-Hissar,

May 29/ June 11

Colonel Hadjopouloa

Cavalla, Aug. 7/20 rangement, finds the reproaches of the French Government unjustifiable. Exposition of the policy followed by his Government. Protest against the proclamation by General Sarrail of martial law at Salonika, in consequence of which the celebration of the King's fete was prevented.

Commander Mavroudis sends to the Fortress of Salonika the demand for the surrender of Fort Roupel which had* been addressed to him by Captain Thiel and three letters of this officer relative to the restoration of the cannon of the fort and their ammunition.

Colonel Hadjopoulos, temporary Command er of the 4th Army Corps at Cavalla, reports that the con duct of the Bulgarians is completely hostile. Greek com panics have been de stroyed or detained by the Bulgarians ; the regiment at Demir-Hissar has been taken prisoner. Behavior of the comi tad j is. Panic among the inhabitants. The Bulgarians intend to occupy Cavalla. He

No.

Colonel Hadjopoulos

Colonel Hadjopoulos

General Callaris

General Dousmanis

General Callaris

Cavalla, Aug. 7/20

Cavalla, Aug. 7/20

Athena, Aug. 17/30 demands instructions from his Government.

The two Greek divisions will be cut off from each other.

The Fort of Idjes is in flames. Murder and pillaging. Colonel Hadjopoulos demands authority to recall to the colors the reservists who are on leave, in order to defend Cavalla

He renews his demand concerning the recall to the colors of the reservists on leave.

He demands also the dispatch of the fleet to Cavalla.

The Greek Government refuses the demand to recall to the colors the reservists and to dispatch the fli'ot.

General Dousmanis

transmits to Colonel Hadjopoulos for communication to the troops and to the inhabitants, the assurances given by the Ministers of Germany and Bulgaria at Athens upon the occasion of the occupation of the Greek territories.

The Minister of War asks the Commander of the 4th Army Corps whether he has entered into negotiations with the Germano-Bulgarians for the return of the

No.

Page armament of the fortress of Cavalla.

Athens, Oct. 10/23

Note as to the anti- Hellenic persecutions in Bulgaria and in the countries provisionally occupied by the Bulgarians, with a table of statistics relative thereto.

Part Second

Mr. Politis

Athens, Oct. 16/29

Mr. Politis transmits to the President of the Chamber of Deputies the translations of a certain number of dispatches in cipher, exchanged between the ex-Sovereigns and Berlin.

Indications as to the manner of transmission of this secret correspondence.

Supplementary notice as to the palace code Steps with regard to a loan of forty million francs in consequence of a telegram of King Constantine.

The German Government is ready, in principle, to make this loan.

The opening of a credit with Swiss banks is technically impossible.

The credit will be opened with the S.

Bleichroeder Bank of Berlin.

No.

Mr. N. Theotoky Mr. Bleichroeder ilr. N. Theotoky

Mr. N. Theotoky Mr. N. Theotoky

Berlin, Jan. 8/21 Berlin, Jan. 8/21

Communication to the German Government of certain declarations and demands of King Constantine.

Mr. N. Theotoky communicates his impressions of his interviews with Mr. von Jagow. The attack against the troops of the Entente at Salonika has not yet been definitely decided upon

The loan of forty millions will be made in marks.

Mr. N. Theotoky com municates the text of a letter of the S Bleichra?der Bank addressed to the National Bank of Greece and confirming the opening of the credit of forty millions; he requests the confirmation of the National Bank of Greece.

On the request of Mr. von Jagow Mr. N.

Theotoky begs King Constantino to reply to one of his telegrams.

Receipt of a new letter of the S. Bleichroeder Bank.

General Falkenhayn communicates the conditions under

which the action against the troops of the Entente at Salonika may take place.

No.

Athens, Mar. 10/23

Mr. Skouloudis Mr. J. Theotoky King Constantine

Queen Sophie

Berlin, Mar. 12/25

Berlin, May 5/18

Mr. N. Theotoky has communicated to the S. Bleichroeder Bank the confirmation of the National Bank of Greece.

General Falkenhayn informs King Constantine of the intention of the allied troops to occupy the Demir-Hissar pass. Eeply of the King.

Telegram for Mr. Skouloudis dealing with a demand of the Greek Chief-of-Staflf.

— Postscript for Mr.

J. Theotoky.

Mr. N. Theotoky informs Mr. Skouloudis that the Chief -of-Staff has telegraphed to Field-Marshal Mack ensen to examine once more the mili tary situation in Macedonia before pro ceeding to occupy the Demir-Hissar pass

Telegram of Mr. Skouloudis to Mr. N. Theotoky relative to the assurances given by the Ministers of Germany and Bulgaria at Athens as to the occupation of Greek territories. — Postscript of Mr. J.

Theotoky.

Telegrams addressed by Queen Sophie to Emperor William and Princess M ( ?) in consequence of the note of the Entente dated June 8/21. '

No.

Berlin, June 13/26

Mr. Th. Ypsilanti

55 King Constantine Mr. J. Theotoky

Berlin, July 6/19

Berlin, Aug. 3/16

Berlin, Aug. 5/18

Impression produced at Berlin by the acceptance of the note of June 8/21. People fear that Mr.

Venizelos will come out victorious in the parliamentary elections. They regret the dismissal of Mr.

Skouloudis. — Postscript for Mr. J.

Theotoky with regard to the elections at Corfu. Mr. N. Theotoky expresses fears for the King and the dynasty.

It is necessary that Emmanuel Ypsilanti be a candidate at Jannina.

Report of an interview with the Chancellor of the Empire as to the mission of Princes Nicholas and Andrew at Potrograd and at London.

King Constantine re ijuests to know the reason for the con centration on the Rumanian frontier of two armies under the command of Macken sen.

The Allies have no in tention of taking the initiative in an at tack on Rumania.

The army of Mackensen will proceed to an offensive against the army of the Entente in Macedonia.

Mr. von Jagow has communicated' to Mr.

N. Theotoky that

Page

No.

Page the concentration of troops against Rumania is to intimidate her.

Mr. J. Theotoky

Telegram of Mr. J, Theotoky with regard to the elections in Corfu. Indications as to the change of address of telegrams

Mr. Zalocostas Mr, Zographos Mr. J. Theotoky

Transmission of a telegram of the National Bank of Greece to the S. Bleichroeder Bank. — Postscript of Mr. J. Theotoky.

Mr. J. Theotoky

Dec. 4

New change of address of telegrams.

Berlin, Nov. 22/

Dec. 5

Telegram for Queen Sophie on the organization of the bands in Macedonia. — Telegram for Mr. S. P.

Lambros announcing the transmission of a telegram to Vienna, Constantinople and Sophie. — Postscript of Mr. J.

Theotoky.

Queen Sophie

Transmission of a tele-

Mr. J. Theotoky

Dec. 6 gram of Queen Sophie to Emperor William on the events of Nov. 18-19/Dec. 1-2.

Berlin, Nov. 24/

Dec. 7

Information from Field- Marshal von Hindenburg as to the intention of the Entente concerning Itea.

Mr. Zalocostas

Transmission of a dis-

Dec. 13 patch of King Con-

Mr. J. Theotoky stantine to Mr. N.

Theotoky announcing the threatened delivery of an ultimatum by the Entente. — Postscript of Mr. J.

Theotoky.

No.

Mr. Zalocostas

Emperor William Mr. N. Theotoky

Mr. Zalocostas Queen Sophie Mr. J. Theotoky

Transmission of a dispatch to Mr. N.

Theotoky begging him to repeat by wireless an undecipherable dispatch addressed to Queen Sophie.

Reply of Emperor William to the dispatch of Queen Sophie. — Postscript of Mr. N.

Theotoky.

Transmission of a tele gram of Mr. N Theotoky to Mr. N.

Theotoky as to the organization of the bands in Macedonia.

Transmission of a dispatch of Mr. J.

Theotoky to Mr. N, Theotoky on the correspondence by wireless.

Repetition of a dis patch addressed to Queen Sophie dealing with the organization of the bands in Macedonia. — Postscript of Mr. N. Tlieotoky for the National Bank of Greece.

Transmission of a dis patch of Mr. J Theotoky confirming the receipt and the forwarding of certain dispatches. He requests of Mr. N.

Theotoky a reply dealing with the declarations of Mr. von Bethmann-Hollweg as to Greece.

Transmission of a dispatch of Mr. J.

Tlieotoky repeating a telegram of Queen

No.

Mr. Zalocostas King Constantine Queen Sophie

Mr. Zalocostas Queen Sophie

Sophie to Emperor William as to the situation in Greece.

The insurgents are taking possession of parts of the Kingdom which cannot be defended. The En tente is exercising a very strict blockade.

Only a decisive and prompt attack on the part of Germany v?ould render possible the intervention of Greece. — Postscript of Mr. Theotoky.

Transmission of a dispatch of General Ludendorff relative to the war against Rumania.

Transmission of a telegram of Mr. J.

Theotoky dealing

with the note deliv ered by the Entente He demands infor mation as to the German offensive.

Transmission of a tele gram of congratula tions addressed by King Constantine and Queen Sophie to Emperor William.

Considerations as to the gravity of the situation and the note of the Entente. — Postscript for Mr. N.

Theotoky.

Transmission of a telegram of Queen Sophie for Falkenhausen on the situation in Greece. In conse quence of the insuf ficiency of food sup-

Page

No.

Mr. Zalocostas King Constantine Mr. J. Theotoky

Mr. Zalocostas Queen Sophie Mr. J. Theotoky

Mr. Zalocostas Queen Sophie Mr. J. Theotoky plies, war against the Entente is out of the question unless the German attack takes place immediately.

Transmission of a dispatch of King Constantine on the military weakening of Greece. He desires to know whether a German attack on the Macedonian front is to be expected.

Transmission of a telegram of Queen Sophie to Emperor William.

The lack of food makes the Greek offensive impossible. — Postscript of Mr. J.

Theotoky dealing

with the ultimatiun delivered by the En tente.

A wireless station at Prilep will be at the disposal of the station set up at Kala baka. Indications as to the change of the designations by which the stations of Athens and Sofia are called.

Transmission of a dispatch of Mr. J.

Theotoky communicating a telegram of Queen Sophie to Emperor William. Acceptance of the ultimatum of the Entente. Greece may become a precious aid for Germany. — Instructions given in postscript to Mr. N.

No.

Mr. Zalocostas Mr. J. Theotoky Queen Sophie

Mr. Zalocostas S (?)

Theotoky to work to strengthen the Greco- German relations during and after the war. — Postscript of Mr. J. Theotoky confirming the receipt of certain dispatches.

The attack on the Macedonian front depends on Field-Marshal von Hindenburg.

Mr. N. Theotoky considers that Greece has made sufficient sacrifices and advises the Government to act solely in the interest of the coimtry.

The Minister of Foreign Afi"airs was dis appointed on learning of the acceptance of the ultimatum of the Entente.

Transmission of a dispatch of Mr. J. Theotoky with regard to two radio-telegrams sent to the address of Falkenhausen. — Dispatch of Queen Sophie for Falkenhausen as to the reasons which dictated the acceptance of the ultimatum of the Entente. — Postscript of Mr. J. Theotoky.

Transmission of a dispatch of S ( ?) dealing with the organization of the bands in the future. Communication of certain information coming from the Naval Attache in London.

Mr. Zalocostas Mr. J. Theotoky S (?)

Von Hindenburg proposes to King Constantine to destroy the Greek artillery and war material in order that they may not fall into the hands of the Entente.

— Postscript of Mr.

N. Theotoky for S(?) and Mr. J.

Theotoky. He passed New Year's Day among the soldiers of the 4th Army Corps interned in Germany. Requests that King Constan tine reply to a congratulatory dispatch of the latter.

Transmission of a dis patch of Mr. J. Theo toky. The wireless station at Kalabaka has been demolished.

The reply to the 4th Army Corps has been forwarded. Mr.

Naoum gives information that the German attack on the Macedonian front will take place. — Postscript of S ( ?) for Falkonhauscn, furnishing him information as to the army of the Entente in Macedonia.

Transmission of a dispatch of Mr. J. Theotoky containing the reply of King Constantino to the proposal of Field-Marshal von Hindenburg in relation to the destruction of the Greek

Page

No.

Mr. Zalocostas King Constantine Queen Sophie Mr. Th. Ypsilanti

Mr. Zalocostas Mr. J. Theotoky Queen Sophie

Feb. 9 artillery and war material. List of the material concentrated in the Peloponnesos — Postscript tranS' mitting the information that the Vali of Smyrna has been bribed by the En tente to surrender the city to them.

Transmission of a dis patch of congratula tion addressed by King Constantine and Queen Sophie to Emperor William on the occasion of his anniversary. Debarkation of 40 Senegalese soldiers to guard the French Legation. — Postscript of Mr. N.

Theotoky.

Transmission of a telegram of Mr. J. Theotoky to Mr, N. Theotoky asking for news.

— Dispatch of Queen Sophie to Princess M ( ? ) relative to the submarine blockade.

—Postscript of S(?) for Falkenhausen.

Appendix

89 Mr. Naoum

Sofia, Sept. 8/21

Declarations of Mr.

Eadoslavoff on the occasion of the Bulgarian mobilization.

The Turco-Bulgarian accord has been concluded. Rimniania will preserve her neutrality. Greece will do the same. Serbia will prefer to engage

No.

Berlin, Jan. 8/21

Berlin, Mar. 21/

Apr. 3

Mr. Gryparis

Mr. Gryparis

Vienna, Mar. 29/

Apr. 11

Vienna, Sept. 11/24

Mr. Coromilas

Rome, Nov. 25/Dec. 8 in a war against Bulgaria rather than to lose her common frontier with Greece.

The King of Bulgaria and' his Government are animated by sincere intentions with regard to Greece.

Information as to the demands formulated by the King of Bulgaria on the occasion of his visit to the German General StaflF and to Vienna.

Contrary to the information furnished by the Minister of Greece at Vienna on this subject, no demand at the expense of Greece has been formulated.

Mr. Gryparis confirms his information on the subject of the pretentions formulated by the King of Bulgaria at the expense of Greece.

Mr. Gryparis begs the new Minister of For eign Affairs of Greece to take note of his preceding telegrams concerning the Bulgarians.

Telegram of Mr. Coromilas to King Constantino in consequence of the events of Nov. 18-19/Dec. 1-2. Mr. Coromilas adjures the King to re-establish the unity of the nation for the safety of the fatherland.

Page

The present book completes the one that was published in the month of August. It is divided into two parts.

The first part contains the documents which have since then been deposited in the Chamber of Deputies, or transmitted to the Parliamentary Commission which was charged with the functions of Public Prosecutor before the High Court which was constituted for the trial of the Cabinets of Skouloudis and Lambros.

The second part contains the translations of a certain number of deciphered telegrams exchanged between the courts of Athens and Berlin, which have also been transmitted to the said Commission. These telegrams were written in cipher with a special code and transmitted either by wireless or by cable ; in the latter case, the Minister Eesident of Greece at Berne or again the Royal Legation at Rome transmitted them without knowing their contents. The details as to this correspondence are set forth in a letter to the President of the Chamber of Deputies and in a supplementary memorandum inserted at the beginning of the second part.

The present book contains, finally, six telegrams of the Ministers of Greece, at Sofia, Berlin, Vienna and Rome.

The words in brackets ( [ ] ) take the place of words which are illegible or missing in the telegraphic texts; the mention of "illegible words," or the point of interrogation (?) indicate that it was impossible thus to complete the meaning.

The dates, unless there is a contrary indication, are those of the Julian Calendar. Those contained in the body of the telegrams exchanged between the Courts of Athens and Berlin, since it was impossible to verify them, form an exception to this rule and remain undefined.

PART I No. 1

Mr. G. Streit, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Mr. J. Alexandropoulos, Minister of Greece at Belgrade.

Athens, May 30/ June 12, 1914.

From my previous dispatches you have been kept in touch with the systematic persecutions to which Hellenism in Turkey has been subjected for several months. Tens of thousands of Greeks in Thrace have been forced to abandon their homes and to take refuge in Hellenic territory ; during these last weeks, notwithstanding the repeated and solemn assurances given by the Ottoman Government to our Minister at Constantinople, and by the Imperial Legation at Athens, tens of thousands of Greeks in Asia Minor have been expelled from their homes and have taken refuge in the neighboring Greek islands ; other tens of thousands are on the coast, deprived of everything and exposed to starvation, and are anxiously waiting, in order to save their lives, to embark on boats which we have sent to pick them up. Massacres of Greeks have been reported from Asia Minor; the anti-Hellenic boycott continues; treaties are trodden under foot, and the Turkish authorities participate in the excesses. Public opinion is justly excited to the highest pitch and demands energetic action.

The Government has given many proofs of its conciliatory disposition; in the question of the alleged ill-treatment of the Mussulmans in Macedonia, after numerous investigations, it has gone so far as to permit the Minister of Turkey to convince himself personally of the absolutely baseless nature of the accusations; in the question of the vexations and tortures of which the Turks were said to be the victims, it went so far as to accept an exchange of the Mussulman populations of Macedonia with the Greek populations of Thrace and Asia Minor, proving thereby the absence, on its part, of any aggressive tendency and of its sincere and friendly disposition ; lastly, even in the question of the Islands which have been ceded to Greece by the decision of Europe, it has never refused to take into consideration proposals which were made by Turkey with the intention of finding a proper ground for understanding in order to satisfy the amour propre of the Empire.

The situation having become intolerable, Greece could no longer remain indifferent; the systematic extermination of her compatriots cannot but become worse if she allows herself to become intimidated by incessant provocations. By the note of which you know, we have demanded the immediate cessation of the persecutions and the restoration of the refugees to their homes, stating that if satisfaction was not given, we would be obliged to send an ultimatum and to demand complete satisfaction; failing which we would be obliged to sever diplomatic relations and would not hold back before even extreme consequences.

Please bring what precedes to the knowledge of the Serbian Government in a confidential manner. We appeal to this friendly and allied Government in order to ask of it a benevolent attitude and its moral support. In case Bulgaria should participate in the war, or refuse to defend its neutrality, we would invoke the casus fcederis. For the present, Greece does not intend to mobilize its land forces, in the hope that the war will not go beyond naval operations. She will not do so unless Turkey concentrates her troops at Adrianople, in order to pass through Bulgaria, or Bulgaria mobilizes. Our action, being due to intolerable persecutions, has only in view the assurance of a durable peace and the status quo in the Balkans.

I beg you to telegraph to me the answer which shall be given you by the Serbian Government.

Streit.

No. 2

Mr. J. Gennadius, Minister of Greece at London, to Mr. G. Streit, Minister for Foreign Affairs at AtJiens.

The Minister of Serbia has Just told me that he has been ordered by his Government to indicate to the English Government that the present crisis may bring (serious) complications by involving other States in the hostilities, if the Powers do not use their influence, especially at Constantinople, in order to calm the excitement and (to render) the situation more reassuring.

Gennadrjs.

No. 3

Mr. J. Alexandropmilos, Minister of Greece at Belgrade, to Mr. G. Streit, Minister for Foreign Affairs at AtJiens.

Belgrade, June 3/16, 1914.

The Minister of Serbia at Athens has just told me that he is leaving for Athens tomorrow and that he has been ordered to give to the Royal Government the reply of the Serbian Government.^ He has left me a copy of his instructions which I hasten to transmit to you herewith by telegraph. I have remarked to Mr. Balougdjitch, in regard to the first paragraph of his instructions, that there has been omitted from it that in my communication to the Prime Minister, a qualifying phrase was used : "if no .satisfaction was given we would be obliged to present an ultimatum, etc." (as is stated in your telegram of May 30th ).2 He answered me that they had in view (our) final resolution.

REPLY OP THE SERBL\N GOVERNMENT TRANSMITTED TO THE HELLENIC GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTER OF SERBIA AT ATHENS:

"The Serbian Government has received the confidential communication which wa.s made to it by His Excellency the Minister of Greece in the name of his Government, by which the Hellenic Government informs it, that if the Sublime Porte does not promptly put a stop to the persecutions of the Greeks, it will be obliged to .sever its relations with Turkey and not to hold back before even extreme consequences.

"The Hellenic Government considers that the war will not go beyond naval operations and that in this case it expects a benevolent attitude and the moral support of Serbia.

"Still, the refusal of Bulgaria to declare her neutrality or her

' See document No. 1. ' See document No. 1.

armed intervention in the war will constitute for Serbia, according to the opinion of the Hellenic Government, the casus foederis.

"In accord with these considerations, the Hellenic Government thinks that it is not absolutely necessary to order the mobilization of its army and that it would only decide to do so if Turkey should begin to concentrate her troops at Adrianople or Bulgaria should mobilize.

"This communication of such grave and unexpected decisions reaches us without any warning and without our previous consent.

"The Serbian Government considers it its first duty to fulfill all its obligations of ally, resulting from the Treaty of Alliance, which has a purely defensive character and the object of which is the consolidation of peace. It is, however, obliged to declare, from now on, that the question of the persecutions of the Greeks in Turkey has entered into a dangerous path without those peaceful means which are customary under similar circumstances having been exhausted.

"It is not possible for the Serbian Government, according to its appreciation of the political situation in Europe and in the Balkans, to consider as justified the opinion of the Hellenic Government 'that the operations will not be transferred to land.' As soon as the Turkish mobilization is decreed, and it will be decreed under the pressure of public opinion in Turkey, Bulgaria will also, on her side, mobilize under some pretext or other, either by invoking the case of legitimate defense, or by simply fulfilling an obligation due to an agreement which may have been entered into to this effect by her and Turkey.

"In this case Greece would mobilize her entire army, which, according to the opinion of the Hellenic Government, would constitute the casus foederis, namely, the obligation for Serbia to proceed to mobilization in accordance with Article V. of the Military Convention.

"All these contingencies would inevitably arise as soon as the Turkish fleet should be attacked by the Greek fleet, because it is inadmissible to suppose that Turkey would voluntarily consent to be attacked by Greece there (on the sea) where it is more advantageous for the latter, and to abstain from operations there (on land) where she could have more chances of success. The mobilization of all these armies would inevitably bring on complications in the Balkans.

"Still, the fundamental duty of Serbia, after the conclusion of the Treaty of Bucharest, was the maintenance of peace in the Balkans, which, besides, is in accordance with the obligations undertaken by

Serbia by the treaty of defensive alliance concluded between her and Greece.

"The Serbian Government begs to express the desire that the question of the persecutions of the Greeks in Turkey may be settled peacefully through the intervention of the Great Powers, who have assumed the obligation of protecting the Christians in Turkey. Consequently, it desires that an armed conflict be avoided for the following reasons that are decisive according to its point of view.

''1st) The Serbian Government has not been able, up to the present time, to complete its armament, the larger part of which was rendered useless or was destroyed in the two wars. It is particularly in need of rifles and ammunition.

"2nd) Serbia also lacks financial means. Its finances are exhausted. All credit is refused to her and she cannot count on a loan abroad. During these last six months, she has made great efforts in order to secure a loan for a short term, agreeing even to issue Government Bonds, but to no purpose, inasmuch as she has already obtained one which, although now exhausted, has not been sufficient to meet her previous obligations.