374 Chapter 3
of World War I, tried to coax their allies (Britain and France) into compelling
these states to cede territory to Bulgaria in exchange for Bulgarian participation
against the Central Powers. Greece, in particular, refused to make any territorial
concessions.
Bulgarian suspicion of Russia also intensified during this time, aware that Russian
support of the Balkans came strictly at Russia’s convenience. Nevertheless, the Allies
tried to court Bulgaria to their side. Italy’s recent participation on behalf of the Allies
was thought to give them the edge. At the same time, 150,000 Bulgarian forces
amassed on Turkey’s border while negotiations ensued. It was therefore a surprise
when, a day later, Berlin reported that a Turkish-Bulgarian neutrality treaty was in
the works. Further, the terms of the treaty were reported to leave open the possibility
of Bulgarian participation against the Allies. Threats from the Allies led to the delay
of the treaty’s ratification. The treaty was eventually signed in September, following
the Allies’ inability to promise Macedonia to Bulgaria. Within a month, Bulgaria was
already at war with Serbia.
Coding changes: End Date changed from September 22, 1915.
MID#3158
Dispute Number: 3158
Date(s): August 23, 1935 to August 31, 1935
Participants: 640 Turkey/355 Bulgaria
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Turkey reinforced its Bulgarian border with additional troops and forti-
fications after Bulgarian nationalists started agitating for access to the Aegean Sea
through Turkish Thrace.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 30, 1935.
MID#3850
Started in January 1940. See the narrative in the 255 Germany/640 Turkey dyad dis-
pute list.
MID#3200
Dispute Number: 3200
Date(s): April 28, 1952
Participants: 640 Turkey/355 Bulgaria
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A Turkish motorboat and Bulgarian coastal guns exchanged fire when the
Turkish boat entered Bulgarian waters and opened fire after being challenged. The
motorboat retreated when the Bulgarians returned fire.