Europe 299
Serbian troops. The remaining Serbs eventually reached the Adriatic Coast and were
evacuated by February 10, 1916.
The moves from Bulgaria began on December 15, 1915, as the Bulgarian army
crossed the Drin River in order to attack Serbian positions.
Austria-Hungary already administered much of Albania, and both Austro-Hungar-
ian and Bulgarian forces swept through the Albanian lands relinquished by the retreat-
ing Serbs. Albania was occupied by February 24, 1916, and remained so until French
intervention in September 1917. A separate seat of the Albanian government declared
war on the Axis powers on February 24 as well.
Coding changes: Added to the dispute: 345 Yugoslavia. Start Date changed from
January 4, 1916. End Date changed from November 11, 1918. Outcome changed from
Unclear.
300 Austria-Hungary/345 Yugoslavia
MID#30
Dispute Number: 3 0
Date(s): October 6, 1908 to March 31, 1909
Participants: 345 Yugoslavia/300 Austria-Hungary
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: This dispute describes the Bosnian Crisis that resulted in the Austrian
annexation of Bosnia. Austria-Hungary received special rights regarding Bosnia and
Herzegovina following the Treaty of Berlin (see MID#187). However, their posi-
tion in administering Bosnia and Herzegovina became more precarious as nationalist
elements in Serbia became more vocal. Austria was still undaunted in its aims to
administer its Bosnian prize and considered outright annexation in order to do so.
The opportunity came when Russian foreign minister Alexander Izvolsky telegraphed
Austro-Hungarian foreign minister Alois Aehrenthal about possible revisions to the
Treaty of Berlin. An agreement was reached between the two: Russia would look the
other way on an Austro-Hungarian Bosnia if Austria supported Russia’s attempts to
pass warships through the Dardanelles (see also MID#307, MID#3325).
Both agreed during their discussions at Buchlau Castle and in exchanges afterward
that this would have important consequences, including possible sanction from the
signatories to the Treaty of Berlin, a Bulgarian uprising, and likely significant revi-
sions to the Treaty of Berlin. The annexation was made public in early October,
setting off a flurry of protests from the European powers, though Germany played a
heavy hand in obstructing a conference on the matter. Meanwhile, Britain objected to
any revisions to the Dardanelles, leaving Russia with nothing to show for the Buchlau
Bargain.
Russia was outraged with Austria’s deceit. When Austria released diplomatic docu-
ments exchanged with Russia regarding the Balkans, Russia was further outraged and
even embarrassed by the gory details of what it had discussed with Austria behind
closed doors. Relations between Austria and Russia were irrevocably damaged, and