The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-16 00:00:00

THE WHEAT HARVEST IN FRANCE.

THE BULGARIAN CRISIS.
THREATENING NOTE TO THE GOVERN-
MENT.

A Sofia correspondent telegraphing on Sunday
said the Bulgarian Ministry have addressed a Cir-
cular to the Foreign representatives requesting them
to warn the subjects of their respective Governments
against any interference in the elections. The Russian
Consul replied that the Note was offensive to the
dignity of Russia, and that pending instructions
from General Kaulbars all exchange of written com-
munications between the Russian Diplomatic Agency
and "those governing Bulgaria" is interrupted. A
plot has been discovered to create disturbances
throughout Bulgaria by means of armed bands en-
gaged by the Russian Consulates of Sofia, Philip-
popolis, and Rustchuk, and several of the rebel
leaders have been arrested.

General Kanlbars left Rustchuk for numla on
Sunday. Whilst he was at Rustchuk the commnder
of the troops Mled upon him. The General insisted
upon receiving a visit from the officers of the garrison,
but they declined to have anything to do with the
Russian Envoy, whose departure was witnessed by
only a few persons.
General Kaulbars telegraphed to the Emperor to
the effect that he must now either be recalled or be
furnished with troops. The failure of his mission is
admitted, and it is feared that the Czar will be forced
to resort to an armed occupation.

The Bulgarian Elections on Sunday resulted in the
somplete defeat of the pro-Russian Party, only an
insignificant number of whom were returned. All the
Ministers and leaders of the National Party were re-
turned by overwhelming majorities. In Southern
Balgar;a only five of the eighty-eight deputies elected
belonged to the pro-Russian Party—M. Stambuloff,
President of the Sobranje and member of the
Regency, and M. Radoslayoff, Minister President,
being among those returned for the Philippopolis
district.

A Sofia correspondent describes an attempt which
was made to upset the elections on Sunday. Whilst
polling was proceeding two hundred peasants, who had
been inveigled by Russian emissaries, marched into
the town and endeavoured to storm the polling-booths.
Being repulsed by the police and loyalists, and
having thirty of their number wounded, they went to
the Russian Consulate and threw stones and sticks
at the crowd outside. Whilst M. Nekliu-
doff was addressing them, some Montene-
grin servants at the Consulate fired on the
crowd. The peasants were then turned out into
the street, where they were arrested. In several of
the principal towns the Russian Consuls endeavoured
to stop the elections. At Tratza, Buccino, and Slavene
they were successful. At Dabnitza it is said that two
deputies and the Prefect were murdered by Mace-
donians.

General Kaulbars, on arriving at Shumla was in-
formed by a large crowd that they confided in the
Government. Some Zankoffies who went to greet
the General at the Consulate were hooted by the crowd.
General Kaulbars called upon a Bulgarian officer to
disperse the crowd, but he declined to interfere.

Information has been recnived confirming and add-
ing to the gravity of the news already received as to
the extent and desperate character of the Russian
conspiracy to raise an insurrection throughout Bul-
garia by means of armed bands of mercenaries. But
M. Nekliudoff's resumption of official relations is con-
strued as implying the intention of Russia to continue
her underground machinations lather than openly to
declare her hostility.
A St. Petersburg correspondent on Tuesday said
the news from Bulgaria, though very meagre, has
created such anxiety that the rouble has fallen to a
point lower than it has been since the Plevna disaster.
It is now admitted in the Russian capital that General
Kaulbars' mission has proved a failure.