The Armistice with Bulgaria
The armistice terms with Bulgaria which were signed in Moscow last Saturday impose on her a complete reversal of the policy which she pursued throughout the war. She is to disarm and hand over the German forces on her territory, intern Axis nationals, release Allied prisoners, hand over German war material and ships to the Soviet Command, put her armed forces as required at the disposal of the Allies, and withdraw her troops and officials from Greece and Yugoslavia. It is also most fitly provided that she shall immediately supply food for Greek and Yugoslav territories which she has invaded and plundered. The armistice having been signed, it remains to insist that its terms are carried out honestly and quickly. This will be the task of the Allied Control Commission, on which Britain and the United States will be represented. Nothing is more urgent than to secure complete withdrawal from Greek and Yugoslav soil at the earliest possible moment. The treachery and folly of the Bulgarians in Macedonia have been such that we cannot expect the Greeks to be satisfied until every Bulgarian soldier, official and agent has been bundled out of the country. Their record is such that their neighbours will not trust them to fulfil promises except under supervision. The armistice terms are not unduly severe.
They are designed to prevent Bulgaria from doing more harm and to undo some of the harm she has done ; but there is nothing in them to cripple the life of the people and impede honourable activi- ties. The armistice terms, of course, are not peace terms. Bulgarian propaganda with a view to the peace will be watched.
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