New-York tribune., 1886-04-03
TILE E1NIIRN TRTCE.

There ale new signs of uncasiness in the
Balkan as well as in Greece. The negotiations
for arranging definite peace between Bulgaria
and Sery1a have not been facilitated by the re-
turn to Office of NJ. Ristics, who is generally re-
garded as Russian intriguer The st. Peters
burg Government not satisfied with obtaining
important notifications of the convention be-
tween Bulgaria and the Porte, is striving to
limit Prince Aexanders term as Governor of
Rumela to five years. TIE Prince is reported
to have resented Russian Intervention aud to
have defantly proclaimed his intention of re-
tanning the Governorship for lie. The alarm
ing rumOr follows that the Gar has decided to
OCCUPY Bulgaria within few weeks, II Prince
Alexander persists in his deter minatlon
simultaneously Greek preparations for war are
continued, Notwithstanding the presence OF the
allied squadron in Suda Bay, and repeated
warnings from Great Britain and other Powers
that no attack upon the Porte will be allowed
at present The warlike tone of the st. Peters
burg press and special session of the British
Cabinet at Westminster held after protracted
meeting in the afternoon impart additional Sig
pjficance to these rumors of approaching hos
tities.
Lord Rosebery has stated in the House OF
Lords that Russia has given England the most
cordial assurances of cooperation ID the settle
ment of the Greek question. In the absence
of Bulgarian complications the menace OF Eu-
Iopean coercion will undoubtedly keep the war
party in Athens under restraint and prevent the
outbreak of war with the Porte. The present
truce in Southeastern Europe is likely to con-
tinue, anless Russia is bent upon invading Bull
garia and regaining by force the supremacy
which has been lost through Prince Alexanders
Independence of character and determination
not to be swayed by foreign influence. This is
the month when the Russian army crossed the
Pruth nine years ago. 1t is not only the right
time of year for military operations in the
Balkan, but there are also special conditions of
European politics and diplomacy that are favor
able. Mr. Gladstone is in power and Russian
diplomatsts look upon him as a statesman who
can be easily managed. England, moreover, is
too preoccupied with Irish questions and polti-
cal dssensions to take an active interest in
Prince Alexander's fortunes. Austria, like
Russia. is dissatisfied with the issue OF the war,
which resulted disastrously to its Servian ally.
There may be no more favorable time tor
Russian interv ention, since there are grounds
fol diplomatic understanding between Vienna
and St. Petersburg.
While it is possible that such an understand
ing has been reached. it is far more reasonable
to conclude that the invasion of Bulgaria would
be followed by the hostile advance of an AUS
trian army aud the outbreak of general
European war. If Russia had only Mr.. Glad
stones Government to deal with, it would not
probably hesitate very long, especially as the
Trans Caspian Railway is now practically COM
pleted to Merv and there are facilities for max
ing another military raid in Western Afghanis
TAM But Germany and Austria have also to
be considered, and there are weighty reasons
for deferring the march beyond the Danube.
Hollow and artificial as is the present truce in
the Eastern question, it W i'll probably be main
tained-thls year, at least.