Gen, Nelson Miles Defends Bulgars.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 25, 1913:
Cables The Times from Sofia That It Was Their Allies Who Began the New War.
BULGARIA'S PITIFUL STATE
Besieged by 800,000 Men, Harvests Lost, 150,000 Prisoners and Refugees to Support.
CALLS FOR AMERICAN AID
Complains That His Appeals Are Unanswered — Accuses Bulgaria's Opponents of Atrocious Acts.
By Lieut. Gen. NELSON A. MILES, U. S. A. (Retired).
By Cable to the Editor of The New York Times.
    SOFIA, July 24.— After a brilliant campaign by the former allies against the Turks, a controversy over territory ensued, and a fierce, devastating, and desperate war began. The question should have been amicably settled or referred to The Hague Court of Arbitration.
    Bulgaria did not declare war. Greece and Servia declared war against her.
    Though Rumania had taken no part in the Turkish war, she mobilized an army of 400,000 men and invaded unprotected territory of Bulgaria. Turkey resumed hostilities and invaded territory.
    All thus formed a cordon of over eight hundred thousand men, which is attacking and besieging the entire territory of Bulgaria, a country equaling in size New York State, cutting all communications, devastating harvests and towns, destroying bridges, and committing atrocities not within the pale of civilized warfare. Sixty thousand destitute refugees are now near here, who fled from the cruelties of the invaders.
    The battles between the Bulgarian army and the Servians, Greeks, and Montenegrins were desperate, with heavy losses on both sides. It is estimated that more than 50,000 were killed and wounded.
    This war was not anticipated, and there were only limited supplies for the Bulgarian army in the field and the depots. There is a great scarcity, too, of surgeons and hospital supplies. The suffering of the wounded is very great.
    The mortality is great. Food is scarce. All the able-bodied men are in the army. All business by post and telegraph — even Red Cross messages — is suspended. My cablegram to the Red Cross at Washington, sent several days ago, has not been answered. The harvesting of crops is restricted by lack of men. This must result in serious suffering in the camps and threatens a serious epidemic. Good order has been maintained.
    After a series of sanguinary battles a commission is trying to arrange peace, but the terms may be so exorbitant as to be impossible or ruinous to this country. Austria is again mobilizing her army, and unless this unfortunate war is stopped it may result seriously for the peace of Europe.
    I have stated the facts in mild terms. I could also mention the distress occasioned by earthquake, the burden of supporting ninety thousand Turkish prisoners and the terrible strain upon a brave, strong people of sustaining two destructive wars within one year.
    Some telegraph lines are now open. I recommend that liberal aid be cabled from our Red Cross at Washington to her Majesty, the Queen of Bulgaria, who is the head of the Red Cross here and is devoting her life to the noble cause. I strongly request generous and immediate American assistance.
        NELSON A. MILES.