The gist of it was this:
With the aid of French money, Russia was heavily subsidizing Bulgaria
and Servia against Turkey. Numerable non-commission Russian and
French officers were pouring into Belgrade and Sofia. They were ready
to take the field in the armies of the Allies. Most of the leading
officers and men of affairs of the Allies were in the Russian pay. In
fact, a systematic Russianization was in progress. The armies of the
Allies were being equipped with a new kind of French gun. Bulgarian
and Servian troops were being paid by Russian and French gold.
Obviously the menace of the Czar abetted by France was to be a
tremendous factor in the situation. Russia was in so deep that there
was no pulling out.
This, of course, had been suspected by the cabinets of Germany and
Austria. But how far and how thorough the actuality was, I had been
sent to find out. The results of my mission showed beyond all doubt
the urgent need for Germany and Austria to begin their machinations to
off-set the rising power of Russia in the Balkans. I took the night's
Orient Express for Berlin direct and I made my report to von Stammer,
as Wedel was still inaccessible, being away with the Kaiser.
At once Austria and Germany set about to smash the threatening
predominance of Russian influence in the Balkans. A solid coalition
of Bulgaria, Servia and Montenegro with a Russian dominance would have
played a solid factor in the policies of Germany, Austria and England.
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