The First Balkan War had ended with Greece liberating a large part of its enslaved territories. However, Greece soon found itself confronted with its until then ally Bulgaria. The Bulgarians were keeping an eye on Macedonia and had sent a small force to Thessaloniki.
However, as the situation tended to deteriorate, the Greek forces demanded the immediate surrender of the Bulgarian forces in Thessaloniki. The Greek Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Viktor Dousmanis ordered the commander of the II Infantry Division (MP) Major General Kallaris to send an ultimatum to the Bulgarians, demanding the surrender of their arms and their departure from the City. It was June 18, 1913.
Dousmanis was in his office waiting for developments when he was notified that the consul of France in Thessaloniki wanted to see him urgently. The consul without waiting literally burst into the office of the Greek general as a young Attila and began to speak to him in a tone that was incredibly sarcastic, as if he were addressing a Senegalese native slave of democratic France.
"I have learned that you have communicated an ultimatum to the Bulgarian garrison to leave Thessalonica with his garrison," he said with blunt and inexplicable rage. "Where did you get the information from", replied Dousmanis, calmly.
"This is of no interest to you, nor am I obliged to tell you my source", replied the Frenchman with too much audacity. “Your ultimatum has been delivered and I would like to ask you if you have considered the consequences,” he said in an argumentative tone as if he were not speaking to a subordinate.
Dousmanis, who until then had kept his composure, began to "explode"! “This is our account and I don't see that you have any authority to ask me such questions," he replied to the now embarrassed French "diplomat". It was the Frenchman's turn to "light up" even more. "You'll see at once that I have one," he replied. "This ultimatum will certainly result in the clash of opposing armies within the city," he continued.
"So, you are interested in this", answered Dousmanis. "I am obliged to ensure the lives of French nationals. That's why I ask that you revoke the ultimatum," he said as a Frenchman as if ordering some of his servants. "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Ultimatums are not revoked as easily as you might think. The Bulgarian guard and his guard must leave or they will be beaten", answered Dousmanis angrily. "In addition to the lives of French citizens being threatened, their interests are also exposed. Consider your responsibilities and revoke the ultimatum," insisted the arrogant Frenchman.
Dousmanis hardly kept himself from answering as he wanted. He rose from his seat and confined himself to saying in a sullen tone:If you are really interested in the interests of the French, go at once to the Bulgarian garrison and demand from him to execute the ultimatum at the specified deadline and to declare to you that he is leaving", he said emphasizing the words one by one. He immediately showed the Frenchman the door literally throwing him out of his office, telling him he had better things to do than deal with him! The Frenchman left with his head bowed.