illippe, who, according to Gladstone, was the cleverest woman in
Europe, and for a few years Bulgaria was at peace. In 1908 he declared
Bulgaria independent, and its independence was recognized by Turkey on
the payment of an indemnity. During this period Russia was the protector
of Bulgaria, but the Bulgarian fox was looking also for the aid of
Austria. Serbia more and more relied upon Russia.

The Austrian treatment of the Slavs was a source of constant
irritation to Serbia. Roumania had a divided feeling. Her loss of
Bessarabia to Russia had caused ill feeling, but in Austria's province
of Transylvania there were millions of Roumanians, whom Roumania
desired to bring under her rule. Greece was fearful of Russia, because
of Russia's desire for the control of Constantinople. All of these
nations, too, were deeply conscious of the Austro-German ambitions
for extension of their power through to the East. Each of these
principalities was also jealous of the other. Bulgaria and Serbia
had been at war; many Bulgarians were in the Roumanian territory,
many Serbians, Bulgarians and Greeks in Macedonia. There was only
one tie in common, that was their hatred of Turkey. In 1912 a league
was formed, under the direction of the Greek statesman, Venizelos,
having for its object an attack on Turkey. By secret treaties
arrangements were made for the division of the land, which they
hoped to obtain from Turkey.

War was declared, and Turkey was decisively defeated, and then the
trouble began. Serbia and Bulgaria had been particularly anxious for an
outlet to the sea, and in the treaty between them it had been arranged
that Serbia should have an outlet on the Adriatic, while Bulgaria was to
obtain an outlet on the AEgean. The Triple Alliance positively refused
Serbia its share of the Adriatic coast. Serbia insisted, therefore, on a
revision of the treaty, which would enable her to have a seaport on the
AEgean.

An attempt was made to settle the question by arbitration, but King
Ferdinand refused, whereupon, in July, 1913, the Second Balkan War
began. Bulgaria was attacked by Greece and Serbia, and Turkey took a
chance and regained Adrianople, and even Roumania, which had been
neutral in the First Baltic War, mobilized her armies and marched toward
Sofia. Bulgaria surrendered, and on the 10th of August the Treaty of
Bucharest was signed by the Balkan States.

As a result of this Bulgaria was left in a thoroughly dissatisfied state
o