The Wilmingtonian., 1885-10-03
THE BULGARIAN REVOLT,


The revolt from Turkish authority in
Roumelia or as it is now renamed Southern
Bulgaria, is only renewal of the symptoms
of gradual disintegration of the once great
Ottoman empire. This is a most marked
step in that process as it was considered at
the great Berlin Conference, subsequent to
the Russo-Turkish war, that the Balkan
mountains at least would form strict de-
limitation line of Turkish territory, that no
revolution for years to come would be likely
to inflact. However that strong patural
rampant on the north of the integral part of
Turkey is now proved insufficient, and the
strong feeling for constitutional liberty and
repulsion towards antique yassaldom to the
the Porte, has in vaded the southern slope of
those mountains.
Modern theories and the strong newborn
thirst for independence stands threatening
the ancient capital of the Kalphs Con-
stantinople is within easy march of the re-
voting territory The golden minarets
across the Bosphorus can almost be seen
from the extreme southern spurs of the Bal
kan range, and in that territory were
Adrianople captured Turkish authority
would be forever driven from Europe. This
is the last revolt but one and then the Sui
tan of Turkey as European potentate will
be entirely obliterated.
In this recent revolt of the southern Bull
garians strange fact has developed itself,
namely, the opposition to Russia suzerain-
ty. A significant incident occurred. A
Russian digntary at Philippopolis, the chief
city of the revolted district took upon
himself, during the moment of the emeute
the authority of addressing the revolution
lists and ordered them in the name of the
Gar, to follow certain course Of action.
He was deridsd and compelled to be silent.
Thisis stated as indicating the political
mind of the Buigarians. 1t shows that the
new people is more anxious for independ-
ence than annexation to Russia. This is a
revelation, for all in any way acquainted
with European history and the aims of Rus
sian territorial extension never doubted that
the great Northern powers policy has been
for years, overtly so since the Anglo. Rus.
sian war of the Crimea in 1854, to maintain
agitation among the Danubian principalities
of the Turkish empire.
This Russia has so well succeeded in ac-
complishing that to-day all north of the
Balkan m ountains is practically free. Rus
sia's covert designs were, of course, to make
her own road easy to the acquisition of the
y 5ssssritaers ~ an II mAsar
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ize the ancient dream of Russia's rulers
since the time of the Empress Catharine of
establishing Muscovite capital upon the
editerranean Sea.
| Now it must be a most affecting revela-
tion to Russian statesmen to discover that
these little prlncipalities are extremely anx-
ious for individual Independence themselves.
The sturdy ideas of constitutional liberty
that inspires the Bulgarian revoutionists
and their solidifei wish for an iudepend ent
government is terrible setback to Rus
sian ideas of aggrandizem ,nt. The exist
ence of the feeble Turkish authority in the
states referred was much more favorable to
Russian aims than the political condition
which is now developing aud which astute
Muscovite diplomacy cannot fail to discern.
A strong young state in the Balkan penn-
sula would form most regrettable OBJ
s.ruction, and one never provided for in the
political theories of Gortschagoif and De
Giers.
1t is quite probable that Russian policy,
in view of this new development, Will make
'right-about-face" movement, and rather
side with Turkey at the new conference to
be held in Constantinople by the Berlin sig
natory powers, than endorse Prince Alex
ander of Bulgaria. who with his people
show a strong wish to disown Russian in
terleIenee in the matter and also deride the
idea of Russian suzeranty.
The Berlin Treaty guaranteed the integ,
rty of Ottoman dominion south of the Bal,
kan mountains The revolted province is a
part of that territory, and very properly the
Sultan has appealed to the powers, England
Germany, France, Russia, Italy and Austria
to vindicate him in his dilemma. Rdssia's
position will be most difficult one in this
conference on account of her previous un
derhand policy of creating disaffection in
the Danubiau provinces, but England's will
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