Bulgarians, there was sometimes a tendency for the Bulgarians and the
Greeks to look to Austria or Germany for help, as a counterpoise to
Russia's influence on behalf of the Slavic states. At one time, however,
Russia gave great aid to Bulgaria. In all the twists and turns of Balkan
politics we find Russia or Austria posing as protector of the rights of
one or another of the Balkan states.

On the other hand, when all the Balkan states bordering Turkey put aside
their rivalries and combined for an attack on Turkey in 1912, Germany
and Austria gave what moral support they could to Turkey. Austria had no
desire to see a strong league of the Balkan states formed to the south
of her, a league which would be largely under the influence of Russia.

German leaders had already formulated their dream of _Mittel-Europa_
(Mid-Europe), a broad band of German-controlled territory extending to
Turkey. With Turkey itself Germany made treaties which practically
assured her control all the way to Bagdad. Germany had no desire either
for a Balkan league, which would block her way, or for the defeat of
Turkey, which might interfere with the carrying out of the treaties.

THE BALKAN WAR OF 1912.--Turkish rule in Macedonia had become
increasingly bad. Situated in the midst of three of the larger Balkan
countries, it had representatives of each among its population. These
countries put aside for the time being their jealousies of each other.
In 1912 Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro formed an alliance and
presented a demand to Turkey that Macedonia should be made
self-governing. Most of Europe believed that the German-trained army of
the Turks would annihilate the armies of the smaller nations. But in a
little over a month Turkey was beaten. Even Constantinople might have
been taken had Bulgaria pursued the advantage gained by her troops. This