What could not be settled at the negotiating table would be settled beneath it. In fact, as long as the Alliance gave ground now, Ferdinand's objective would be achieved. As for the Anti-Bulgarian Alliance's own opinions, they were not important!
To achieve his true strategic objective, Ferdinand had thrown out this whole series of smokescreens to bewilder the six great powers, drawing their attention to the negotiations and covering the Bulgarian army's operations on the Greek Peninsula!
Even before the negotiations began, Bulgarian troops had already occupied more than half of Greece. After the talks began, Ferdinand exploited his home-field advantage to sever the various delegations' contact with Greece itself, buying three days' time.
This covered the operation of the Third Army Group, newly redeployed from Izmir: landing on the Peloponnese Peninsula and occupying Piraeus, turning Athens into an isolated city! (The other regions, including Euboea Island, had already been occupied.)
Having received the news, the Greek delegation was now furiously protesting to Metev. Unfortunately, Metev was an old hand himself—how could he possibly take the bait?
Faced with the evasive Bulgarian Foreign Minister Metev, Greek delegation leader Prime Minister George Theotokis was powerless. He could only lodge an appeal at the negotiating conference, hoping to win the great powers' support.
"Gentlemen, during these few days while I have been negotiating, Bulgarian troops have launched a surprise attack on Greece, landed on the Peloponnese Peninsula, and even occupied Piraeus! The Bulgarians are desecrating peace itself. They have shown no regard for this negotiating conference, violated international convention, and we hope all nations will uphold justice and put a stop to this..."
Russian representative Paul-Ivanlov cut short Prime Minister George's lengthy speech. "We deeply regret what has happened on the Greek Peninsula. But now that it has happened, let us