File No. 763.72/2334
The Special Agent in Bulgaria (Einstein) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 4, 1916.]
Sir: I have the honor to bring to your notice that if any fixed intention exists here with regard to the ultimate disposition of Servia no glimmer of it has been allowed to transpire. At the Foreign Office they prudently declare that Bulgaria is too small a state to decide a question which will have to remain in suspense for the peace congress. Bulgarian ambitions are confined to Macedonia, but are understood also to include the territory to the east of the Morava, in which is situated Nish, on the ground that thirty years ago this was Bulgarian. Such ambitions are, however, advanced with great prudence for the lesson of the last disastrous war has not yet been forgotten. Thus, while at Sofia the occupation of Monastir [Bitolj] was officially celebrated amid organized rejoicing, the method by which this success was effected indicates how careful has been their procedure. The town had been evacuated by its Servian garrison whose line of retreat was threatened, and a Bulgarian force was encamped at its gates. Yet the commander acting under orders waited three days for a German cavalry squadron to arrive by forced marches, in order that the entry of the Germans might be simultaneous to prevent Greek excitability from being aroused. In the same way, as soon as the campaign in Servia was practically ended, German troops were dispatched to the Bulgarian Danube region in order to intimidate Roumanian interventionists.
While various suggestions are heard here as to the future of Servia including its partition between Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Austria, my personal impression is that Austria in particular would be more likely to prefer its reestablishment if only as a counterpoise to an overgreat Bulgaria; and it would not be surprising if, when the peace conference finally meets, the diplomatic strategy of the Central powers will be to appear to yield this as a concession when in reality they would not wish it otherwise.
I have [etc.]