Treaty of Alliance and Military Convention among France, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, and Romaniathe areas assigned to Italy. Thus, the Kingdom of Serbia was
promised Split (Spalato, in Italian), the coast and islands south
of Krka to Dubrovnik (Ragusa), and peninsula Peljesac (Sab-
bioncello). The Kingdom of Montenegro was assigned
Dubrovnik and the coast south to the Albanian port San Gio-
vanni di Medua. Also, but less precisely, Serbia was promised
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Srem, Backa, Slavonia (this one against
the Italian objections), and some unspecified areas of Albania
(to be divided among Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece). The
Italians insisted, and the Allies agreed, that the question of the
Croatian coast between Zadar (Zara) and Istra (Istria) should
be settled after the war.
4.1225 Military Convention among Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria
Alliance Members:Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria
Signed On:September 6, 1915, in the city of Pless (Austria). In force
until September 30, 1918, when Bulgaria signed an armistice ending
its involvement in World War I.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 221, p. 135.
SUMMARY
Bulgaria had remained neutral at the start of World War I, primarily
waiting to see which side would offer the greatest advantage. With the
quick victories by Germany in Poland and the failed Allied attempt to
open the Dardanelles, Bulgaria committed its support to Germany and
Austria-Hungary and quickly mobilized its armed forces. Bulgarian
leaders, believing that Bulgaria had been cheated out of territorial
gains following the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913, immediately tar-
geted neighboring Serbia as a potential acquisition. The tripartite force
invaded Serbia on October 7, 1915, and entered Belgrade two days
later. Despite early successes in Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, and Roma-
nia, Bulgarian advances stalled, and internal dissension, poor supplies,
and a demoralized fighting force led the Bulgarians to quit the war by
September 1918.
Description of Terms
The three countries pledge to act in concert against Serbia. Ger-
many and Austria-Hungary will march towards Serbian borders
within 30 days, while Bulgarian forces will march within 35 days
of the conclusion of this treaty. Germany and Austria-Hungary
will each send at least 6 divisions of infantry, and Bulgaria will
send 4 of its divisions.
Bulgaria commits itself to neutrality with Romania and
Greece until the end of operations against Serbia, and longer if
those countries do not mobilize, remain neutral, and do not
occupy militarily Serbian territory.
The supreme German command commits itself, if the Bulgar-
ian roads are open and Bulgaria desires the aid, to send a contin-
gent of its troops to Bourgas and Varna and to send as many Ger-
man submarines as possible. Bulgaria will house these troops,
and their supplies will be provided by the German command.
The supreme German command will also use its influence
towards the Turkish command so that the latter sends troops
for the protection of Dedeagatch. In the case of a common
action of Bulgarian and Turkish troops, the Turkish troops will
be put under Bulgarian command.4.1226 Agreement between Japan and Russia
for the Maintenance of a Permanent Peace in
the Far East
Alliance Members:Japan and Russia
Signed On:July 3, 1916, in the city of Petrograd (St. Petersburg, Rus-
sia). In force until November 8, 1917, following the Bolshevik Revolu-
tion and Russia’s abrogation of all international treaties.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:British Foreign and State Papers,vol. 110, p. 922.
Additional Citations:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 221, p. 367.SUMMARY
This alliance was formed almost two years after the start of World War
I, Japan’s declaration of war against Germany, and the signing of a
renewed defensive alliance between Japan and Britain. The public ver-
sion of the treaty held that Russia and Japan would not attack the
other and would seek counsel in order to safeguard and defend each
nation’s interests. A secret treaty was also signed that included provi-
sions guaranteeing that China—which had been courted by Ger-
many—would be kept free from political intervention by any third
party with hostile designs toward Russia or Japan. This treaty assured
continued Japanese naval support for the Entente powers; and because
the Entente powers were consumed by events in Europe, the treaty
also further strengthened Japanese hegemony in Manchuria and Inner
Mongolia.Description of Terms
Both the high contracting parties recognize that the vital inter-
ests of both countries require the safeguarding of China from
political domination by any third power. Therefore the allies
mutually obligate themselves to take any necessary measures in
order to prevent such interventions.
If any state declares war against either ally, the other party
must come to the aid of its alliance partner. Each of the con-
tracting parties also agrees, in the event such a condition arises,
not to conclude peace with the common enemy without the
prior consent of its ally.4.1227 Treaty of Alliance and Military Conven-
tion among France, Great Britain, Italy, Russia,
and Romania
Alliance Members:France, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, and Romania
Signed On:August 17, 1916, in the city of Bucharest (Romania). In
force until November 11, 1918, with the end of World War I. Note:
Russia terminated its commitments on November 8, 1917, following