New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-22
THE ROUMELIAY REVOLE

The revolt Of Eastern ROumelia is important
rather for its possible implications than for any
change directly involved by it. The separa-
ton of Bulgaria by the Berlin Convention was
felt at the time to be a stage effect intro
duced by Lord BeacOnsfeld to strengthen the
belief chat he had completely changed the
Treaty of San Stefano. 1t was not only un-
necessary but inconvenient and in the very
nature of things not permanent. Eastern
Roumeiia is mainly inhabited by Bulgarians.
They want autonomy, and probably they would
welcome any alliance that secured it to them
The uprising against the Turkish sovereignty
| would imply little if it could be believed that
the revolt was purely local in its inception and
execution. Turkey has had so little material
| aid from Eastern Roumelia since the war that
she could well afford to relinquish nominal
sovereignty which represented nothing, even il
she was not practically prevented from employ
ing coercion by the moral conviction that she
would have to reckon with one or more of the
| great Powers if she took the field.
Naturally the occurrence of this revolt 80
soon after the meeting of the three Emperors at
Kremsier suggests the current rumor that ii
was arranged at that interview. The present
manifestations of surprise at st. Petersburg
and Vienna do not necessarily indicate that
this is not the case. They may be merely
diplomatic conventiOnalities, put forth to save
appearances. But the conspiracy has been
conducted with such complete secrecy that it
has taken all outside observers by surprise, and
they are evidently left entirely to conjecture in
their attempts to explain it. The speculations
are many and diverse. Some are confident that
Russia organized the movement alone. Others
believe that Austria must have either had q
hand in it or been squared by promise of
Bosnia and Herzegovina That Prince Bis
marck's consent to it was obtained can hardly
be doubted supDosing that either of the great
Powers is responsible for the revolt. In Eng
land it has produced some sensation, though
chiefly among the Tory politicians, who no
doubt apprehend that its effect upon the
negotiations with the Porte will be adverse,
since it is out of the question 10 offer any
material aid to Turkey "a against Russia or
Austria.
When the Treaty of Berlin was drawn up, or
rather before that,!an agreement was signed be-
tween England and Turkey TO the effect that in
consideration for the transfer of Cyprus to the
former Power che would undertake TO help the
Sultan substantially in case Russia made any
further attempt to diminish the Ottoman terri
tory. No doubt in the present instance Russia
would deny responsibility, and Lord Salisbury
might evade any Turkish claim on that ground,
but the Cyprus agreement cannot bnt increase
the difficulty OF Sir Drummond VOLTS task, by
exaggerating the apparent change Of policy on
the part of his Government. Probably the safest
outcome would be the assurance that the
RodmeJan rising was arranged for at Kremsier,
since that would keep Turkey quiet, discourage
further independent instructions, as in
Thessaly, for instance, and tend to promote the
general acceptance of the situation. If, on the
| other band,either of the Powers has been steal
| ing march on the others, dangerous complica-
| tions are likely to arise. England has not
very direct interest in tho n,AtfAr IS yet and 1t