The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-09 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

ANI I-RUSSIAN FEELING.

A reply to General Kaulbars' Note was to have
been delivered to the Russian agent on Sunday even-
ing. The reply not being categorical, as General
Kau!bars demanded, is said to be regarded by him as
unsatisfactory, and it was said that he would on Mon-
day request a more precise answer. A Bulgarian
paper contains a 7iolent threat against the Govern-
ment if they comply with the Russian demands. At
Philippopolis, also, it was resolved at a meeting to
support the Bulgarian Government against Russia.
On the other hand, the Sofia correspondent of the
Paris Temps declared on Sunday that Russia has
already triumphed in Bulgaria.

SOFIA, Oct. 3..

The great meeting organised for to-day to hear the
result of the interview on the 29th ult. between
General Kaulbars and the deputation led by Dr.
Vultcheff, took place at eleven o'clock this morning,
between 4000 and 5000 persons being present. The
proceedings opened by Dr. Vultcheif giving an account
of the interview in question. During his speech he
was continually cheered, and groans were given for
Russia. Dr.Yultcheff then proposed a resolution of con-
fidence in the Government, with an assurance of moral
and material support so long as it continued in its
present policy of maintaining the independence of the
Constitution and the laws of th. country. After this
resolution had been carried amid loud cheers, a
Russian in the crowd shouted "Long live the
Emperor!" "Down with the Government!' For
this he was somewhat roughly handled, and was only
saved from the infuriated populace by the efforts of
the police. General Kaulbars then unexpectedly ap-
peared en the scene, and mounted the tribune. Ile
said that he came there to express the desire of the
Czar. Here he was interrupted by many of those
present, who called out: " We want no desire, but
we will listen to advice if it be good."
General Kaulbars went on to say that he
had heard that a Russ;an had been beaten because he
had cheered the Czar. The people again interrupted
h'tn, declaring that they had beaten the man, not.
because he had cheered the Czar, but because be had
cried "Down with Bulgaria!" and that the same fate
would befall all who said this. General Kaulbars
then proceeded to give the three points of the Russian
demand, but he was constantly intertupted by the
crowd, who declared that they would receive no
orders, that the state of siege had beea raised
already, and that the prisoners would not be re-
leased, adding that if they were released they would
be stoned by the populace. They declared, more-
over, that the elections would not be adjourned,
and that the law must be respected. if it were
not respected no progress was possible. General
Kaulbars answered that tho Emperor would not re-
cognise the Sobranje. Here, again, he was interrupted
by the words, "We do not care. Whoever violates
the C_ nstitution will be stoned." General Kaulbars'
patience was now exhausted, and:adopting a menacing
tone, he threw the responsibility for the consequences
which would arise from not listening to Rassia's ad-
vice on the country, and declared that the Bulgarian
people, as a nation, did not desire the Constitution,
but a few men only. At this point the shouting be-
came so violent that General Kaulbars had to It ave
the tribune. A popular orator then took his place,
and asked the people whether it was true that they
desired the abolition of the Constitution—a question
which evoked loud protests from the crowd, with
threats to anyone who should dare to tamper with the
Constitution.

The deputation then proceeded to the residence of M.
Radoslayoff, the Premier, and read the resolution
which had been adopted. M. Radoslayoff, in reply,
declared that he would always follow the policy
hitherto adopted—a policy which was dictated by a
desire to maintain the law and Constitution and to
assure independence; and, amid loud and prolonged
cheers, the people lifted the Premier in their arms.
The utmost enthusiasm was shown all along the
road from the place of meeting to the Premier's house,
the "National Anthem" being sung by the whole
crowd.

General Kaulbars was attended by General Neklin-
dniT. the Russian diplomatic agent.

OCT. 6.
Before leaving Sofia for his tour through the
country, General Kaulbars addressed another Note to
the Government reiterating his former demands and
throwing upon the Bulgarian Government the re-
sponsibility of ncit complying with the desire of the
Imperial Government. On Monday the Russian
agent received a deputation at Orchanie, who ex-
pressed views totally opposed to the demands of
Russia. The General repeated the Russian demands
and left yesterday for Plevna. His tour has caused
great perplexity at Vienna, and it is understood that
the Austrian Government will represent that by
undertaking it General Kau'bars has exceeded the
competence of a diplomatic agent.