The Bulgar is hated to-day in the Balkans even more 
than the Turk. The other Slav peoples call him the “ Judas 
of the Slav race,” because in the course of history the Bulgar 
has never hesitated to put his own interests before those of 
the Slav family. The Bulgars, although partly Slavonic in 
blood, are very unlike the Slavs, and especially their imme- 
diate neighbours the Serbs, both in physical appearance 
and in character. The Serb is essentially sentimental, even 
to dreaminess ; a lover of art and poetry. He is excitable 
and easily swayed by his feelings and his ideals ; his sym- 
pathy with the other Slavs is intense and generous even to 
to a fault. The Bulgar is entirely different. He is essen- 
tially positive and practical ; somewhat cold and reserved, 
shrewd and suspicious ; a man of few words. His neigh- 
bours may go mad about Slavism. To him all that matters 
is what will pay. He never trusts you fully, and it is not 
perhaps safe to treat him otherwise. It must, on the other 
hand, be said that if the Bulgar is not particularly pleasant 
and sympathetic, if his Hunnish descent undoubtedly 
qualifies him for Teutonic associations and alliances, still 
he is no doubt a valuable ally up to a certain point. He is 
the best worker in the Balkans ; you can give him his job 
and then leave him to do it without supervision. He will 
go on working steadily and well without taking advantage 
of the freedom given to him. This certainly cannot be said 
of all workmen in the Balkan Peninsula. 
In Roumania politics are hardly controlled by public opinion. 
The power lies with small groups of politicians, and ulti- 
mately with the Court, about which Teutonic influences are 
considerable. Large profits are being made by politicians 
and commercial men out of the war. so that although the 
common people are openly favourable to the Allies of the 
Entente Cordiale, sentimental grounds are not likely to be 
the basis of Roumania’s action at present. Allied successes 
in the West, or in the East, or in the Balkans will probably 
alone decide favourably the attitude of Rumania. 
Although the memories of ancient imperial days may create 
false ideals and dangerous ambitions in the hearts of the 
Balkan peoples, yet it must be recognised that they have 
a future not unworthy even of their memories. The rapidity 
with which they have progressed, and, at least in part, assimi- 
lated the civilisation of Europe since their liberation from 
the Turkish yoke, shows what can be expected from them 
under favourable conditions, when being no longer pawns 
