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36
BULGARIA IN 1911 [chap. 111.
arrived to regain their former influence in Constantinople
—refused to demand the compensation of which she had
formerly dreamt, and also absolutely refused to recognise
the annexation.
The diplomatic negotiations which ensued did not
turn to our advantage, as is well known. Thanks to the
support which Germany^hastened to lend to Austria, the
annexation was first recognised by the Sublime Porte,
then by Russia and by the other Powers on Russia’s
representations. M. d’Aerenthal received the much
coveted title of Count; and Russian public opinion,
violently excited by the ultra-patriotic Press, felt and
displayed deep displeasure.
This displeasure was much exaggerated : the countries
annexed had been for a long time under the real power
of Austria-Hungary, and Russia herself, in her
confidential negotiations with Austria, had contemplated on
four separate occasions the possibility of the annexation
pure and simple of these provinces (firstly in 1875 at
Reichstatt, secondly in 1879 at a select and secret sitting
of the Congress of Berlin, thirdly in 1897 on the occasion
of the Emperor Francis-Joseph’s visit to St. Petersburg,
and fourthly at Murzsteg); concerning the government
of the Straits, the right of passage through these for our
men-of-war belonging to the Black Sea Fleet—which
was all that we asked—did not constitute any very real
advantage for Russia, for in the event of political
complications the Porte could always close the Straits to us
de facto. Finally, the crisis due to the annexation had
brought us far nearer to England and had consolidated
the entente once for all.
Further, our relations with Bulgaria at the
settlement of the crisis of 1908-1909 assumed a particularly
favourable character. Looking on himself, especially at
the outset of his ministerial career, as a continuer of
Prince Lobanoffs policy, M. Isvolsky inherited also the
Prince’s feelings of good-will towards the Bulgarians
and towards Ferdinand. Thanks to the efforts of our
Foreign Secretary—supported by the Grand-Duchess
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