The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-24
A Burmese ambassador Proposes Arbitration
as a Means Of Settling the Differences
with England-NOteS by Cable.
THE ISSUE IN BULGARIA.
A People Released from Bondage and Learr
ing the Paths of Progress.

en- route for COnStantlnople. Inc starting news
of the revolution in Eastern Roumelia had just
been received, and the Austrian capital was
wrought up to the highest pitch of excitement
Having received the lions share in the assign
ment of territory at the hands of the Berlin
congress of 1873 the Austrian appetite was
whstted for more. Bosnia and Herzegovina are
being assimilated to the empire as rapidly as
could be expected. They recently welcomed the
Emperor Francis Joseph with great enthusiasm
as he set foot for the first time upon their soil.
In the national exposition, now open at Buda-
Pesth, these new provinces are represented in fine
style. Servia, just at present struggling with
renewed outbreak Of robber bands along the
montepegr frontier is but little removed from
similar dependency upon her powerful north
ern neighbor. Hence, at the s,; ;c. .cs
indication of the reopening of the
| issues of the Berlin treaty. the
empire is touched to the quick. An increased
| activity of the military was Immediately notice
able, and, as the news from the south was con-
irmed, there was a general movement of the
troops to the Danube frontier. At Buda-Pesth
your correspondent found the same uncertainty
and anxiety, which gave evidence that Hungary
influence has been constantly growing in south
eastern Europe. and many experienced observers
with whom have conversed say that there is
little question but that in short time Austria
will walk into Salonica. The Bulgarians have
shown dislike for Austria. An incident came
under my observation which shows the occa-
sional force of this antipathy. An American
missionary at Rustchuk desired to obtain IL
cense for lady teacher, who, although
born in the country, had married Pole
who was Austrian subject. friendly
official advised him to leave out Of the
as that would have weight against her in the
eyes of the Bulgarian officials who would deal
with the case Yet the Bulgarians are easily
won over to the interests of power which can
be useful TO them in their cherished projects
The life on the Danube steamer south Of Buda-
Pesth was more animated than usual. AS pro-
ceeded, every station added recruits AS we ap-
preached Servia, band of Bulgarian peasants
joined us, their way to the scene of action. At
Widdin the first Bulgarian station. the scene be-
gan to grow more serious. A long line of sol
diers was drawn up along the street facing the
river, and the landing was packed with the
cited crowd. A corps of volunteers came aboard
and the exchange of patriotic sentiment did not
cease until long after we were steaming on our
course. At Lompalanka. Rahova, and Nicopoli
the same scene was repeated. About
this time we passed several large
barges filled with troops, pushing toward the
| of excitement The whole town came out to
| welcome our steamer, which by this time was
gay with flags and uniforms. At the landing
| speech was made to the recruits sent of, and
| obstreperous songs were sung in which "Bui-
gara" and March, march, "came in frequent re-
frain. Landing at Rustchuk l found the square
in front of the municipal building filled with
raw recruits drilling Thus it was over all the
young prlncipality. trip through the interior
of Varna discovered to me the same enthusiasm.
Since the day that Prince Alexander issued his
ukase modified the army, and set out for Phil
ipopolis, the Bulgarians north of the Balkans
have taken up the cause of their kinsmen in
Eastern Roumelia, with earnestness that
shows how vigorous the social and national feel
ing is becoming The Prince who has hitherto
had strong Russian party amongst the Buga-
riaps against him, is suddenly the hero of the
hour. The agents of Bible society in Bulgaria,
| who generally find at this season their readiest
| sales, are met everywhere with the re-
| tort "We do not want books now we
want guns and swords" The Young nation
is beginning to feel its strength. The six years of
rule of Prince Alexander in Bulgaria have been
| years of uninterrupted progress not progress
| in the American sense of leap forward but
| none the less progress. 1t must be remem-
bered that the Bulgarians became their own
masters suddenly, after four centuries of Turk
| ish misrule The change was about as radical
| as that experienced by the negroes of our own
| country. The Bulgarans as yet but little
more than nation of children. AS the battle
bly, in every way. Hence the progress has been
| or that fundamental character that does not ap-
pear at the surface. 1t has been a sort of re-
covery. As we have seen, the idea of nationality
has asserted itself more and more. Schools have
been established in all important centers. and
foundations of a future national system laid. 1t
is probable that at the beginning of this
period hardly 100000 people out of the
1000, 600 of Bulgaria could read and
write In country places the school
master was the only one who could write and
| ne was scribe for the neighborhood. The new
! educational methods are slowly changing this,
although the grade of teacher is very inferior.
| The graduates of Roberts College are coming to
the front and foreign aid is being called in. The
| cities of Bulgaria are in wretched condition.
Even public buildings are hardly respectable and
the sanitary conditions of the larger towns are
simply abominable. In this city of Rustchuk
the streets are as rough as ordinary mountain
roads. In the rural districts the old star COM
merce system still holds. The land, being of
naturally good SOIL is never fertilized, and the
crudest st1umentS used in working it up.
The peasants live in the most squad poverty in
mud huts. Twenty six per cent. of the inhah
itants of Bulgaria are Moslems. who are, as
general rule. suffering as much persecution as
the Christians did under Turkish domination.
The district of Eastern Roumelia, which, with tho
consent of the powers of Europe will be Joined to
Bulgaria, will bring that principality 13, 500
square miles of territory, and nearly million
OF people. But the addition will be much more
slgnlhcant than its acres or population would in
dlcata united Bulgaria, with national feel
ing formed to white heat, with growing ieal-
| ousy of foreign intervention, means that what
has been plant instrument is likely to become
an arm to strike. 1t is we'll established that
this movement comes from within and burst ont
unexpectedly to Russia. In fact there is at
present a strong reactory movement against
Russia. The Russian officers have resigned
their commissions in the army. Threatening
language against the Prince on the part of
these officers caused him to receive no.
tice to quit the country. 1t is true
that without the Russian officers in
this crisis the Bulgarian army is totally unable
to do anything of Importance in the field; yet
the unive real answer is, 1--WE win do what we
can If it comes to fighting" Austria is quite
ready to step in and supply the deficiency if the