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i9"] GOUTCHKOFF IN SOFIA 99
Goutchkoff was commissioned—unless he was acting on
his own initiative—to verify de visa the rumours which
were circulating. Political circles in Sofia greeted the
eminent Russian guest with the most cordial reception.
The principal Ministers conversed at great length
with him; the members of the former Malinov Cabinet
met Goutchkoff at an evening party given by their
colleague, M. Liaptchev, a fiery and irreconcilable
Macedonian.
Under the influence of all that he had heard there,
Goutchkoff talked to me for a long time and appeared
desirous of convincing me that the events, apparently
imminent in Bulgaria and Sofia, were not only
unavoidable but desirable.
"But look here," I replied, "was it not you yourself
who told me four months ago that Russia’s equipment
was absolutely inadequate, and that a war, taking us
unawares, might be fatal to us? And now you appear
to think it natural and almost desirable that the Balkan
States should declare war on Turkey ! But what in
this case would Russia’s position be, forced to remain
a passive witness of these events, whatever their
result?"
"Yes, that is true," said Goutchkoff; "but then have
we ever been prepared for events during the whole
course of our modern history? and nevertheless we
have progressed considerably in the solution of our
historic problems in the Near East. Moreover, at this
moment, as I have satisfactorily proved, the Slav States
will not wait for the concentration of our forces. You
yourself, M. Nekludoff, who, by virtue of family
traditions and the whole of your earlier career, have had
Constantinople as a centre of attraction, would you not
be happy to have your name connected with the definite
solution of the Straits question in our favour?"
"Certainly, I should have felt the most intense and
legitimate pleasure. But on the other hand, what heavy
responsibility I should have taken on myself if, seduced
by this mirage of personal ambition, 1 had allowed
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