The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-10-24 00:00:00

THE CRISIS IN THE EAST.

A correspondent at Constantinople telegraphed on
Sunday that, although the outlook in the Balkans is
more favourable, Turkey still continues her war pre-
parations, and on an evenlarger scale than heretofore.
Since the previous Monday 20,000 men had left
the ports of European Turkey—mainly, apparently,
from Salonica and Dede Agatch—for the interior.
The financial difficulty appears to be still the greatest
with which Turkey has to deal, although it is believed
that even this is not so great as has been represented.
According to reports received in Constantinople from
Adrianople, Bulgaria has 50,000 regular troops in the
field, although they are said to be very indifferently
armed. Prince Alexander, after inspecting the
frontier troops and defences, is said to have returned
to Sofia in a state of much depression. The corre-
spondent mentions that an evident fear prevails in
Turkey that if the political union were sanctioned it
would lead to the appointment of Russian officers in
the Roumelian militia. That a change for the better
has taken place is also reported by a Vienna corre-
spondent, who adds that Prince Alexander has con-
sented to withdraw the bulk of his forces from the
other side of the Balkans, while King Milan has
stopped the Servian advance unon Bulgaria.
THE BULGARIAN REPLY TO THE
COLLECTIVE NOTE.

In its reply to the Collective Note the Bulgarian
Government states that it defers entirely to the
counsels and recommendations of the Powers. The
pacific tone is attributed largely to the fact that the
feelings of the Bulgarian people have undergone a
change now that the expenses of maintaining the
army are making themselves felt. Servia also ex-
hibits a less warlike disposition, and will, it is ex-
pected, be content to occupy strong positions along
the Bulgarian frontier until the decision of the Con-
ference which is to assemble at Constantinople is
made known. The relations between Bulgaria and
Bervia are, however, reported to be very strained,
King Milan having refused to receive a Bulgarian
envoy who was to have taken an autograph letter to
the Servian King from Prince Alexander. A Rust-
chuck telegram states that extraordinary preparations
are being made there in consequence of the menacing
attitude of the Servians. Additional troops are also
being enrolled and equipped in Bulgaria and points
on the frontier fortified.

A special correspondent at Philippopolis states that
about 60,000 men are now stationed on the Bourne-
ban frontier, and that strong reserves are kept ready
at Shumla. The National Guard for home defence
has been mobilised in all parts of the country, and
the field army is busy manceuvring and strengthening
the entrenched camps. Very great tension is said to
exist between Bulgaria and Servia, and war is reggra,,d
as well nigh imminent. The former Power, it is 3-
clared, has done all in its power to avert tl_is
calamity, but it is thought in Philippopolis that
Servia has gone too far to be able to recede.
A telegram from Athens states that the Greek
Government has just (Tuesday) despatched its reply
to the latest Note of the Powers. The reply declares
that Greece is sincerely desirous of peace, but that it
would be unfair to ask her to remain passive in
the presence of events which touch her most vital
interests.

A Vienna correspondent says that the papers, in
commenting on the new Conference, warn the public
against being too sanguine of peace. The New Freie
Presse says that if Russia and Austria have really
come to an agreement, the Conference will not have
much bard work to do.
A correspondent in Berlin telegraphs that some
sensation has been caused there by the report that
Lord Salisbury is inclined to recognise the Bulgarian
union, and even proposes to make England's partici-
pation in the forthcoming Conference dependant on
certain conditions to that effect.