Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-25
BULGARIA.

be independent and seek the support of no
one of the Powers. More than this, they
are a capable people for self-government
The great Powers however, have main
tanned steadfast policy of interference
with the Slavic States. Bulgarians, thus
prevented from Independent action, have
been driven to Il choice between masters.
Naturally their sympathies in such case
would go ont to a people to whom they are
related in not remote degree, and their
chief antagonism be against the Turk
with whom they have nothing in common
The treaty Of Berlin in 1873 reduced the
principality of Bulgaria by more than
half, and as natural consequence the
Gar was shorn of just that much of his
power on the Balkan peninsula. Russia
has never been satisfied with this diminu
ton. Austrian acquisition Of power and
commercial privilege in the Balkan States
after the Berlin Congress, was greater than
the treaty contemplated. By 1881 she
had gained practical monopoly Of rail
road communication on the peninsula, con-
troll of the Danube, semi-political
dictatorship and commercial mastery in
Seryia, and threatened to occupy Bulgaria.
Russia, unable to check this advance, has
never concealed her Jealousy, though main
tanning outward conformance with the Ber
lin compact 1t was Russian provisional
Government that ruled for nine months
after the treaty, when the State Assembly,
under liberal Constitution adopted by the
constituent Assembly-unquestionably at
the bidding of Russia-elected Alexander
of Batten5urg, nephew Of the Czarina,
and son of Alexander Of Hesse, as Prince
of Bulgaria. He had been soldier in
the Russian army, and also in the
Potsdam Guards His rule opened auspi
ciously, but in May, 1881, by Russian,
German and Austrian advice, he abolished
the Constitution, dissolved the Assembly,
and became more subject to Russian influ-
ence than to the wishes of his people.
Russian Vaccinations and bribery returned
new Assembly that was a tool in the
hands of the Gar, and set up a Constitu
ton to suit the latter despot. Russian re-
lations with Germany have never been
cordial since the treaty of Berlin, when
Bismarck outwitted the former and adj
vanced Austrian at the expense of Rus
sian interests. Emperor William has,
ever since 1878, exerted his influence to
heal the breach and prevent any assault
upon Russia. But his Premier's policy
has uniformly prevailed against him,
while the alliance between Germany and
Austria has steadily grown closer and
stronger Russia naturally turned to
France for sympathy and received it,
while Germany and the Porte secretly
drew closer together, and German iniiu-
ence became more potent at Constantinopie
than ever before in modern history. This
was the situation when the difficulties of
two years ago began, that led up to an eff
fort on the part of Prince Alexan-
der to establish his independence of
Russian domination. lie was foolish
enough to believe that the time had come
when he could cut loose from the master
that made him what he was and develop
his state as power of the earth. He con-
ceived the idea of reunion of divided
Bulgaria by return of East Roumeha,
south of the Balkan range. Nothing bet
Ter could have happened to bring the great
powers into something like their old re-
lations. Russia objected because the
Prince was casting loose from her, and be-
cause she wished no unity Or independence
of Slav States that might impede her pur-
posed march to the south and her struggle
for southern ports. Austria objected to any
strengthening of Slav power that by union
might possibly withdraw from beneath her
rod the small Slav States She dominated.
Germany, committed to the Austrian
policy, and inclined to heal the breach
with Russia, remained apparently neutral,
but became actually the secret enemy OF
the Prince. 1t was thus determined that
the Prince "must &c" and all future figure
pieces thus be taught to be submissive to the
power that sets them up. The abdication
is simply the elimination of this resolu-
ton. In this matter England was not con-
suited, and that the latter should he as
founded at the news is not to be wondered
at. Nor is there any sympathy to be ex-
pended upon her. She viii buster, as
usual, and end by submission. Her duty
TO her financial interests in Turkey should
have made her the alley of the Prince,
but she gave him no support the Sultan
followed her example, and Russia, seeing
Its opportunity, has tumhled him from his
seat without moments warning. The
Porte is acquiescent, because it now has
no choice, Austria and Germany approve
for the reasons stated and so it comes
about that Bulgaria, so recently giving
promise of new prominence and broader
usefulness, is to-day in the hands. abso-
luteIy, of Russia from the bottom LAYER up.
The voice of the people is hushed by
Russian command, and the man who had
shown ability to develop the political
strength and build up the Independent
interests of the State, foreign though he
was to ii, is refugee possibly prisoner
within Russian walls. But there is no
question without two sides. 1t may be
doubted if the Prince could have MAIN
tanned his State IN any sort of real indie
pendence. The people are familiar with
Russian methods and related to Russian
policies. The Gar has, in these slav
States that have felt his hand, not been
n oprressor; he has bceD, more than