New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-01

The newest of the European states Is sun
denly forced to face startling political crisis
When the German Chancellor assured Prince
Alexander that the Bulgarian crown would
ALWAYS be ga pleasing souvenir" and should
be accepted by all means, the lieutenant OF the
Prrssian cavalry, whose breast was covered
with Russian decorations bestowed during the
campaign in the Balkan, probably smiled nj
fine lest and shrugged his shoulders at the
cynicism which inspired it. Yet barely two
wears aftcr bis election hc dismisses his COLI
stitutional advisers, organizes ministry Of
combat and threatens to abdicate if the Con-
stitntion is not picked 10 pieces and made over
to suit him. a National Assembly II to be
conyoked and fundamental changes in the sys-
TEN Of legislation and administration are to bc
proposed 10y him. If these are sanctioned he
will remain on the throne. If he is not allowed
to have his own way he will return to Ger
many and make the most of his "reminiscences.
This ingenious plot against popular govern
mcnt bears the impress Of Russian pressure.
When the conquered province WAS oyerrun
with the armies of the Northern Empire, Il
Constitution was made TO order IN -. Peters
burg and laid before the Assembly ut Ilrnova.
As many of the delegates had been appointed
hy the Russian administrators and IA the in
1ucncc of the military staff was dominant in
the new State, it was expected that the lcgis-
latiye scheme would bc accepted without de-
bate. The deputies surprised their sclf-ap-
pointcd tutors by evincing sturdy indcpen-
dcncc aud by thoroughly revising the proposed
Constitution. They made So many alterations
that the St. Petersburg scheme was scarcely
I'll.
done the Constitution was in accord with
Western ideas, Chamber being elected
by the people on the basis of univcr-
sal suffrage. The nation seemed as jcal-
Gus Of its liberties as il was grateful to the
army which had liberated it, and the political
knowledge displayed by the deputies implied
genuine capacity for sclf-gOvcrment. II was,
however, standing rcproach to the Russian
Government that the nation Of Southern Slavs
which it had created should enjoy privi-
lcges which were denied to the North
err Savs. The Prince. being the nephew
of the late Empress and Russian candidate
who is pcttcd 10y the Grand Dukes, has been
easily Influenced from ST. Petersburg. He now
aims 10 substitute for the sclf-actng mcchan-
ism of popular government the artificial appi-
is to he reduced and the whole system is to be
brought more directly under the sovcrcign's
control. The Prince is popular with the
masses and may succeed in wheeling, fright
ening and cOcrcing the National Assembly into
compliance with his wishes. 1t will lie Il ma
tional misfortune, however, if a system of con-
siderable merit is disturbed merely for the
sake of quieting the clamors of the Cars Sc
ditious subjects.
1t is not strange that Prince Alcyandcr's
course has been approved in Berlin. The Ger
man Chancellor docs not look with favor upon
any scheme of government which releases the
Legislature. from the control of the Crown.
With all the restrictions upon their ndcpen-
dent action which he imposed inils6G, and has
enforced 80 rigidly to this day, he is constantly
harassed by his own legislative bodies. and
any movement aiming to make the representa-
tives of the people less unmanagcabe would
naturally receive hiA approval. At Vienna
these considerations Would have less weight.
Yet the Princes coup d'Gtat has been heartily
favored by Baron Haymerle. The acquicscence
of the Austrian Court may be partially ex-
planned by the national movement in the
Balkan. If the populations on either side the
mountains were left to themselves, they would
be drawn together by an irresistible impulse
The Viennese diplomatists are avcrso to re-
opening of the Eastern Question. The Bull
garia of the Treaty OF Berlin is already larger
than they would like to have it, and
Ignatief7s Bulgaria would overshadow Bosnia
and menace the peace of Southeastern Europe.
II the constitutional changes which Prince
Alexander demands will enable him to restrain
the ardor of the Bulgarians, the Austrian Gov
eminent will be tempted to sanction them in
advance. That Government already stands on
guard in the Balkan peninsula. Under the
Treaty of Berlin it was given commanding