Treaty of Alliance between the Principality of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Serbia
The same shall hold good in case Italy, as the result of a
direct provocation, should find herself compelled, in defence of
her honor or of her security, to take the initiative of a declara-
tion of war. In that eventuality, the Royal Government shall pre-
viously communicate its eventuality, intention to the Govern-
ment of the Republic, which will thus be enabled to determine
whether there is really a case of direct provocation.
I am authorized equally to declare to you that on the part of
France no protocol or military provision in the nature of an
international contract which would be in disagreement with the
present declarations exists or will be concluded by her.
It is fully understood finally that—save as concerns the
interpretation of the Mediterranean interests of the two Pow-
ers, which has a final character—in conformity with the spirit
of the correspondence exchanged between Marquis Visconti-
Venosta and myself, on December 14 and 16, 1900, as the decla-
rations which precede, and which must remain secret, are in
harmony with the present international engagements of Italy,
they shall retain their full validity so long as the Royal Govern-
ment has not notified the Government of the Republic that
these engagements have been modified.
Barrère.
4.1207 Treaty of Alliance between the Princi-
pality of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Serbia
Alliance Members:Bulgaria and Serbia
Signed On:March 30, 1904, in the city of Belgrade (Serbia). In force
until March 30, 1909, when the treaty was not renewed.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Key Treaties for the Great Powers, 1814–1914,vol. 2,
p. 752–753.
SUMMARY
As Austria-Hungary made moves to annex Bosnia, Serbia and Bul-
garia, locked in their own bid for independence from Turkey, signed
an alliance in 1904 against the possibility of further Austrian expan-
sion. Although the agreement did not last beyond March of 1909, its
members would ally again on the Russian side in World War I after
Austria’s invasion of Serbia.
The vilayetsmentioned in the treaty refer to Ottoman administrative
units. As is evident from the treaty, policies in the vilayetsof Adri-
anople, Salonika, Bitolya, and Kosovo all posed possible sources of
friction between the two emerging states.
Alliance Text
The government of H. R. H. Prince Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
and the government of H. M. King Peter I of Serbia, guided by
the principle of “The Balkans for the Balkan nations,” and
inspired by a desire to safeguard the peace and security of their
peoples, to preserve the territorial status quoon the Balkan
peninsula, and to improve the condition of their fellow-coun-
trymen in the Ottoman Empire, agree on the following:
I. Convinced of the utility of the programme of reforms
adopted at Mürzsteg for the vilayets of Salonica, Bitolya and
Kossovo (Macedonia and Old Serbia), the two allied states
hereby promise to promote jointly and by all peaceful means at
their disposal the execution of these reforms in the said three
vilayets, at the same time encouraging their introduction into the
vilayet of Adrianople, thus safeguarding the lives, property and
free development of their fellow-countrymen in these vilayets,
on the basis of political and national equality in all respects.
II. Firmly resolved to apply all of their loyal efforts and good-
will for the preservation of peace on the Balkan peninsula, the
two allied states hereby promise jointly to defend themselves
with all the power and resources at their command, against any
encroachment from whatever source, be it on the present terri-
torial unity and independence of their respective states, or on
the security and inviolability of the reigning dynasties.
III. Likewise the two allied states promise to oppose, with all
the power and resources at their command, any hostile act or
isolated occupation of the above-mentioned four vilayets, what-
ever nation may be responsible.
IV. In the circumstances foreseen in Articles II and III, the
two allied states will conclude a special military convention, in
which all possible eventualities and all their consequences will
be provided for.
V. In the desire to prepare the ground for the full co-opera-
tion between the Slavs on the Balkan peninsula and to create
favourable circumstances for an immediate agreement between
the Kingdom of Serbia and the Principality of Montenegro, the
two allied states hereby promise—whenever the question of
Albania should arise—to support such a solution as would
favour the interests of Montenegro.
VI. The two allied states hereby promise to discuss and
decide jointly all questions which, by their nature and spirit, are
within the sphere of this treaty.
VII. The two allied states hereby promise to submit to the
final decision of His Imperial Majesty the Tsar of All Russians,
all of those controversies which they are not able to decide
among themselves. In case the Russian emperor declines to
award a decision on such a controversial question, it will be
placed in the hands of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at
The Hague.
VIII. The present allied treaty remains secret. It may be com-
municated to a third party—in whole or in part—only after a
preliminary agreement between the two allied governments.
After five years this treaty may be brought up for revision if
the two allied states consider it desirable.
It becomes valid on the day of its ratification.
Concluded in Belgrade the thirtieth day of the month of
March [O.S] the one thousand nine hundred and fourth year
after the birth of Christ, the third day of Easter,
In the name of the Principality of Bulgaria:
(s) D. RIZOV.
(s) Colonel of the General Staff HESAPCHIEV.