National Republican., 1885-11-21
sERyIA AND BULGARIA.


While the eyes of the European nations are
turned with apprehensive concern upon the
struggle now in bloody progress between Servla
and Bulgaria, 1t Is not possible that the news
loving American could feel aught but tue live
liest interest in warlike operations that may
soon set the great powers by the ears.
Aspowers the Servlans and Bulgarians do not
now amount to much, and yet time was when
both Servia and Bulgaria were of commanding
importance. 1t speaks well for the patriotic
vitality of both nationalities that, throughout
four centuries of subjection to Turkish oppres-
sion and misrule, neither has lost sight of the
traditions Of u glorious past, and their present
warfare is really the outgrowth ofa Jealous and
long-cherished purpose on the part of both peo-
pies to grasp for their ancient boundaries at
the first opportunity. To the man who likes
10 keep track Of the aspirations of his fellow
men there Is nothing more interesting among
modern tendencies than the earnest determi.
nation ofthe nationalities so long held subject
by the Turks in Europe to strike out boldly for
territories that were theirs before the name of
the Ottoman was known among men, and 1t is
not easy to avoid sympathizing with these as.
pirations of the Greeks the Seryians, and the
Rulgarians.
called Bosnia, Servia, and Bulgaria was known
as lllyricum Bulgaria covering also part of
the ancient province Of M@sia. The Bulga-
rians made their appearance as dangerous and
formidable enemies Of the Byzantine empire
about A. d. $50, and made their first perma-
II ent lodgment south of the Danube ITO years
later. They extended their power greatly,
and at one time in their history held Servia in
subjcction, and were paid tribute by the Greek
emperors. When the cruel but able Basilius
gained possession of the throne of the eastern
empire, however, he began relentless war
are against the Bulgarians that lasted for
twenty-five years, and ended A. ID. 1919 In their
complete subsection. As n specimen of
| Basirs method of conducting war
fare IL is worth noting that, having
captured 1900 Bulgarian prisoners In one of
| his victories, he commanded the eyesoi ninety
| nine out of each one hundred to be put out ;
| each hundredth man was CONSIDERABLY lett
one eye, 80 that he might be able TO help guide
his wretched counrymen to their homes A cen
tury and half later the brothers Asan led a
successful revolt, aud established the Bulgaro-
wallachian kingdom. which, in its most glo-
rious days, reached from the Danube to the
| Kgean sea, and comprehended Macedonia,
Thessaly, and most Of Thrace within Its limits.
The Turkish conqueror, Amurath, brought
them under his power after the battle of KOS
soya had resulted In carnage 30 dreadful as to
cause ii to linger tradition Of woe to this day
in servia and Bulgaria alike.
When the great emperor and warrior Hera-
clius was redeeming his empire from the effects
of the disasters that had almost destroyed 1t
after Justinian's death, he invited hardy,
warlike Slayonic tribe, the Serbs, to settle in
the region now called Servia and made them
t,,a nft aar
and dreaded Avays, They remained yassals
OF the Byzantine empire from A. d. GIL until A.
ID. 1913, when Stephen Bogislas became the
first independent Seryian ruler. And there
after until overrun by the Turks, Servia was
an independent nation Of strength and im
portance. The eliminating period OF Serviau
grandeur was in the reign Of their great king
Stephen Dushan, who ruled from 1886 to 1856
and died In the latter year, when about
TO set out for the capture Of Constantinople
lie was, beyond doubt, q great warrior, and
for his times a man of broad and en-
lightened views. Had he been spared
to supplant the weaklings who
filled the throne of Constantine with his Owl
vigorous aud hardy race the course of moderr
history must have been greatly changed. ThosC
who came after him did not prosecute hi
mighty designs, the result being that the Ser
|
instead of under the walls Of Constantlnople
But they made gallant defense, and were no
finally subjugated until solyman the Magnil
cent took Belgrade IN 1921.
The Serb and the Bulgar alike have a com
mon heritage from the past in the history o
periods when their nations were free, powerful
} and feared. They have their national tradl
tions of great kings, warriors, and Legislators
and of mighty wars successfully waged. N
length or amount of Turkish oppression ha
sufiieed to ehace these traditions from thei
} breasts. The Serb has been tree from Turks
control longer than the Bulgarian, but ther
, Is no difference In the hope and purpose whic
each cherishes Of ultimately regainlng suprem
control of the territories under their sway
the time of their greatest national glory. Ur
I luckily for their peace, and the peace {
{ Europe, their traditions claims. and design
a overlap and cover territory that each in tim
has swayed, and hence II Is that almost on til
birthday of their new independence the drea
arbitrament of shot and steel has been +,
Q sorted to.
o The nationalitles so long dormant, and to a
Z appearances eflaced, under centuries Of suble
a ton to Turkish domination are, since their r.
X. viyal, all peryaded by an intense purpose to r.
u gain all that was ever theirs. No Greek live
luihlgi WIZ hoNH NV AANstlh VI u 4h|A4S NANSN
Il that will comprehend not only the Greece
the classic days of Pericles, but tho grtal'
Greece of Alexander's day as well. 1t Is b
d, cause Of this vlgilant determination loundt
. on the pridc.inspiring traditions of ancial
. glories, that the Serb and Bulgarian are no
d locked In deadly struggle, and that q Groe
0 army Is lowering on the border line OF Mac
i dona eager to do battle for what they jeaiousl
. consider their predesIlned share of tho "sc
mans" estate Aud back Of II all, Of Cours
' lies the formidable purpose of the great powe
to eventually deyour, not only what the sma
5 powers are battling for, but tho small powers
1 well.