The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-11-01
T II e
THE NEWS.

The HuctuAtlDg character OF events IN
Eastern Europe is still maintained, and
the crisis which previous advices seemed
to point to as being imminent has again
been deferred, if not averted. There are
several items which distinctly favor the
prospects of peace, though they do not
assure it. The European Powers have
each informed Russia that they are OPP
posed TO the return of Prince Alexander
to Bulgaria, and he himself has ex-
pressed desire to refrain from the can
didature for the throne, whilst the gov
eminent do not intend to nominate
him. So far there is entire concord.
Nothing further is stated regarding the
Russian ultimatum, but notwithstanding
its demands the elections of members to
the Grand Sobranje have taken place,
and with a result satisfactory TO the
Bulgarian Government, which now pro-
fesses its willingness TO negotiate with
Russia regarding the election of a Prince.
This being the main point at issue, any
threats bearing on minor matters con-
nected with the situation lose their
significance. The occupation of Bull
garia is still spoken OF, and provided
that annexation does not follow most of
the Powers will acquiesce. What guar
antee is to be given in the event OF such
a contingency is not stated. On the
other hand, the object OF this step IS
less apparent if an agreement is arrived
at regarding the election of a ruler. The
Sohranje was announced to meet on the
3lst of October, and General Kaulbars
demands postponement, but consider
ing that a similar demand to postpone
it's elections was not enforced, there is
nothing to warrant the assumption that
the meeting will be deferred in defer
ence to this later demand. General
Kaulbars, the Russian military agent in
Bulgaria, whose overbearing conduct
has gone 80 far to strain diplomatic re-
lations, is to be supplanted, if we are to
believe a st. Petersburg telegram. Gen
erai Gourko, who is mentioned as his
successor, individually does not bear the
reputation of possessing a particularly
cautious temperament, though his atti-
tude could scarcely be more bellicose
than that of the present agent. 1t would
be premature, however, to predict the
real meaning of this proceeding, even
assuming the report to be true, until the
course pursued by Gourko is seen. Gen
orally speaking the change of a foreign
representative Of Russia means a change
of front on the part of the advisers of the
Gar, which it is convenient to attribute
to individual caprice. At a moment
when peace prospects were in the ascend
ant the Ottoman Porte has obtruded
itself on the plea of attempting a recon
citation between Russia and Bulgaria,
and it appears to have formed some
kind of an alliance with the former.
This step is naturally resented by the
Regency, and with Il degree OF plain
speaking which makes it evident that
reliable assistance is at hand in case of
need Whatever may be the issue, the
controlling power probably lies more IN
the hands OF the tinanciers OF Europe
anu less III LllOSt VI Tic IttORillACN lulCI :
than would appear on the surface.
International dissentions are said to
be rife in the British Cabinet, and afford
indications that the Churchill Ministry
will be but short lived. At no very dis
tant date, therefore, history may again
repeate itself in the alacrity with which
the British people have again returned
to a Gladstonian administration. This
affords the best hope that can be vouch-
safed of the pacifcation of Ireland,
which a Conservative policy must ever
fail to accomplish. This done, the
hands OF England will be strengthened
abroad. At present her foreign relations
cannot be said to be satisfactory, for
whilst pressure is being brought to bear
to secure the evacuation OF Egypt, the
Russian advance in Central Asia is
slowly, surely and silently going on,
Fastening the day of the coming struggle
for the possession of India. We are
again reminded OF this fact by the still
further extension OF the Merv and Oxus
railway.