Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-17
BULGARIA AND The BUIGARIANs.

AI
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BULGARIA AND THE BULGARIANs.
A glance at the map will explain its
position. On ell sides Bulgaria posses
ses admirable natural boundaries. Its
northern boundary line is the river Dan
ube, dividing it from Roumania; its east
ern, the western coasts of the Black Sea;
its southern, the Balkan range Of noun
tsins; andi its western, a spur of the Car
pathieau range Of mountains. 1t will
thus be seer that it offers many facilities
for defense and corresponding dsadyan-
tages to an invading army. The only
way in which the Russian troops a en-.
ter the province is from the north. The
Turkish feet in the Black Sea being so
much stronger than the Russian navy,
precludes any active operations from the
coast. On the western boundary line is
Servia, and the Servians are o at
peace with the sublime porte. On the
southern side Of the Balkans are the
more Mohammedan provinces OF the OF
toman empire. The area of Bulgaria is
49, 700 miles. The population is esti-
mated at about 100000, a very large
majority being Christians. The Bull
g~ariaDs are usually denominated Sclavs.
They speak the Sclayonic language, and
are thoroughly Sclavic in their sympa-
thies and aspirations. The Bulgariass,
however, came originally from the shores
of the Volga, following in the wake OF
Attila when that chief devastated the
western shores Of the Euxine. When
converted to Christianity, they adopted
the Sclav language and customs. The
Bulgarians have the reputation Of being
the most industrious Of any Of the races
now living under the government of the
porte. Almost the whole of the agricul
tural exports Of Turkey come from this
province. And notwithstanding their
a~utiquated modes Of husbsndry. the
peasantry Of Bulgaria have converted a
large area Of the plains Of the lower
Danube into waving fields of wheat and
maize. The only -four deemed fit for the
table of the Sultan is from Bulgarian
wheat. The Bulgarians are likewise en-
gagged in sericult1re and the msnufsc-
ture Of ottar Of roses, From one single
district Of the province we find it stated
that 20, 000, 900 francs worth Of these
products are annually exported. In
manufactures, also, they are at the head
of the heterogeneous nationalities under
the sway Of the porte. Every Bulgarian
village manufactures its specially, In
the manufacture Of carpets, pottery and
metallic ornaments their handiwork com
psres favorably with the products Of
France, Germany and England. The
province was conquered by the Turks in
1892. Five centuries of t~yrannicsl rule
and persecution have crushed out any
war-like spirit in the people. They are SC
thoroughly mastered by MussulmanI
that they have become mere hewers 81
wood and drawers OF water. Among
the demands Of the Constsntinople con
ference was one that Bulgaria should, in
common with Bosnia and Herzegovina
be granted q separate autonomy, much
in the same way that self government il
exercised by Servia ard Roumania. Thi.
the sublime porte refused, considering il
would be political suicide. Bulgaria
has the most fertile soil of any portion
of Turkey in Europe. Ithas the fines
ports on the Black Sea, and financially
it is the richest province OF the empire
Hence the porte declined its virtual sur
render. The province has been in pas
years the theater OF Russo.Turkish wars
In any Russian advance on Constantine
pie by land it forms Turkeys first lin,
of defense. The second is the Balkan
mountains. Ia the north Of Bulgaria ar,
the fortresses Of Widdin, Rustehuk anc
Silistria, garrisoned by Turkish troops
The natural advantages are all on tn
side of the Turks. The northern bank
on the Roumsuian side of the Danube, i
low and marshy. On the Bulgaria
shore there are high bluffs.