Primary Documents - Russia's Declaration of War with Bulgaria, 6 October 1915

Bulgaria's belated entry into the First World War came in October 1915 (with a declaration against Serbia on 11 October).

On 3 October 1915 Russia issued an ultimatum to Bulgaria (followed by a similar ultimatum by Russia's allies the following day). Tsar Nicholas II formally declared a state of war three days later, on 6 October 1915.

Reproduced below is the English translation of the Tsar's declaration of war.

By the Grace of God

We, Nicholas the Second,

Emperor and Autocrat

Of All the Russias,

Tsar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland,

etc., etc., etc.

Declare to all Our loyal subjects:

Impossible as it seemed, but treacherously preparing from the very beginning of the war, Bulgaria has betrayed the Slav cause: The Bulgarian army has attacked Our faithful ally Serbia, bleeding profusely in a struggle with a strong enemy.

Russia and Our allied Great Powers tried to warn Ferdinand of Coburg against this fatal step. The fulfilment of an age-old aspiration of the Bulgar people - union with Macedonia - has been guaranteed to Bulgaria by a means more in accord with the interests of the Slav world.

But appeals by the Germans to secret ambitions and fratricidal enmity against the Serbs prevailed.

Bulgaria, whose faith is the same as Ours, who so recently has been liberated from Turkish slavery by the brotherly love and the blood of the Russian people, openly took the side of the enemies of the Christian faith, the Slav world and of Russia.

The Russian people react with bitterness to the treachery of a Bulgaria which was so close to them until recently, and draw their swords against her with heavy hearts, leaving the fate of these traitors to the Slav world to God's just retribution.

Given at the Tsar's Headquarters the 5th day of October, in the year from the Nativity of Christ the 1,915th, and of Our reign the twenty-first.

On the true authority of His Imperial Majesty,

NICHOLAS