Between Crisis and Counter-Revolution

The Bulgarian proclamation of independence on 5 October, the annexation of Bosnia, and Crete’s announcement of her unification with Greece, were all severe blows to the new regime and aroused great indignation in the Ottoman Empire. ¹ A full-scale crisis was not avoided until an extraordinary meeting of the Ottoman cabinet had decided against military measures and Kiamil, the Grand Vizier, had suggested a conference to discuss the Bosnian and Bulgarian questions. ² Throughout, British policy held to its course. Although prepared (on Lowther’s advice) to reject Buchanan’s recommendation for an immediate recognition of Bulgaria’s independence, ³ Grey refused to enter into any further commitment respecting Ottoman territorial integrity. ⁴ Ultimately, the best the Young Turks could expect from the British Government was to arrange for some pecuniary compensation to the new regime and support for a loan guaranteed by, and demonstrating the goodwill of, the Powers. ⁵ On the main point, however, the British decided to recognize the Bulgarian and Austrian actions. Moreover, although the Foreign Office bowed to the Ottoman wish to exclude the Straits question from the agenda of the proposed international conference, it announced that it would not oppose in principle free passage to Russia. ⁶