National Republican., 1886-08-25
bulgaria and Prince Alexander.

bulgaria and Prince Alexander.
The violent deposition OF capable aud
Independent prince adds only one moro to
the number of atrocities which, under Slav
or Moslem instigatlon, have, for nearly
fifty years, associated the Danubian prlnci-
palitics with all the horrors Of massacre
and indccsiye warfare. Bulgaria, esti-
mated by American standards, is not much
Of place TO threaten the reconstruction Of
European geography. Ithas the one merit,
however, of being five times as strong,
rich, populous, and important as Eastern
Roumelia, whose anxiety 10 throw in
her lot with the principalty of young
Alexander furnished the pretext for Rus
sian interference and facilitated the
present crisis. In October, 1885, there was
an uprising In Eastern Roumella for the |
purpose Of cfIecting that coalition with Bull |
garia which had been prevented by the |
treaty of Berlin in 1878. Alexander was |
elected governor by the Roumelian chiefs. |
servia intcrlered, backed, as IL was believed |
by Russia and Austria. Notwithstanding |
his formidable backing, Prince Milan, of
servia, was whipped" at Silvoitza by
Prince Alexander, who won an internl-
tional reputation by his skill, his daring,
and his generalship.
BY the treaty Of Berlin both Bulgaria aud
Roumclia were made tributary to the sultan
of Turkey under conditions Of adminlstra-
tive home rule The European powers had
constructed the new principalitles simply
and entirely to prevent the Russian advance
upon Constantinope. Russia temporarily
accepted the terms feeling confident that
she could easily break up the ill.assorted
natonalites when IL suited her convenience.
But It did not suit her convenience that
Prince Milan, of Servla, should be whipped
out of his boots By Alexander, the latest
sprig Of royalty, who had the courage and
audacity to fight for his rights.
Russian diplomacy decreed that as Alex
| ander was determined to act rs a policeman
in the Balkans, and thoroughly perform the
duties Of the position to which he had been
appointed by the great powers, he must be
removed. So he has been put on the retired
| list by a master stroke of intrigue. 1t Is
made to appear as II the Bulgarian people
called for his resignation at the same time
that they have been Loyalty devoted to him
ever since the defeat OF Serva.
| NbubihtlliE bhdb ny lltubl arrangements
Alexander's position had to be confirmed
by Turkey, with the consent Of the powers,
part Of the proclamation of the new provis
ional government is interesting; "He (Alex-
ander) rendered great services on the field
Of battle, but politically, he has too little
regard for Bulgarla's position as a SlOv state
and the maintenance of relations with Rus
sia. His deposition on this account was a
necessity
Bulgaria has population Of over 200O,-
OOO-less than half the population Of New
York state-and the inhabitants Of Eastern
Roumelia do not number a million. Sew
enty per cent. of both people are members
OF the Greek Church, and only % per cent.
followers of Mahomet
There is therefore an initial and funln
4 mental difficulty about the political re-
lations with Turkey and the more important
race and religious associations with Russia
But, in the face of such odds, an able man
! like Alexander, by just and strong admins
tratiou, had built up formidable barrier to
| Russia and had come to be regarded with
respect by the rest of Europe. His career
, is now closed, As the London Times says,
"the general feeling will be one Of respect.
ful sympathy. He failed rather because he
was too good for the work fortune had as
signed to him." This is the general opinion
of liberal Europe. The Ddily Ne,Vs says
; at is obvious that Prince Alexander was
deprived of his throne by the direct orders
OF the c2ar. The official version of the
revolution Is so nagrdntly and transparently
; dishonest that II will not deceive child.
The effect may be extremely serious.
Russia's action is absolutely unwarantable
, and without excuse. The argument
l Of the Berlin Post that the
r revolution implies Russian vic
? tory over English influence in the east is
absurd. No power ia less interested thar
England. Alexander was nomlnally vas
sal Of the sultan; aud II 1t can be shown tina
Q he was deposed without the sultan's con
t sent grave international difficulty will al
l once be raised" The Globe says: "Bulga
t rian events touch England very remotel,
compared with Germany and Austria
England will not rush in where Others de
: cline to tread"
. The position at present is that Russia 1
70 closer to Constantnople by the length o
= Bulgaria. Europe has been fighting sine
}. Waterloo to keep Russia from the Medter
/ ranean, and, although at present she hold
q trump card, the deposed prince or a COW
e ardly Bulgaria notwithstanding, the czar |
y not going to walk into Constantinople thi
Is | time