New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-13
SIGNS OF APPROACHING VAR.

The Ieopening of the Eastern question may
be much nearer than even trained observers IN
Europe suspect. The letter from ST. Peters
burc published on the twelfth page OF this
issue contains much inform alton of OminOus I'M
port. The Cars aggressive proclamation.ln the
Crimea intimating the probable outbreak OF
war in European Turkey does not become any
thing less of a menace to the peace of the Con-
tnent when 1t is known that an army OF
200, 900 men Is concentrated in Southern
Russia, that the Black Sea fleet is in commits
sion, and that manifold pretexts for opening
hostilitics are available. This correspondent
without being an alarmist, is Keen
observer and in taking note of the countless
signs of an impending struggle he succeeds IN
making ont strong case. There are GER
taply cogent reasons for assuming that
Russia is planning campaign at the expense
of Bulgaria and the Porte and deems the pres
ent conditions of European politics favorable
for partition of Turkey.
The letter with its ST. Petersburg date-linc
does not contain all the evidence of warlike
policy which can now be adduced. Since 1t
was written sew eral facts pointing in the same
direction have been brought to light. One is
~ u
suit with Prince Bismarck. 1t is noteworthy
that this visit takes place Immediately after
the Cars return from the Crimea and his
aggressive speeches at SebastOpOl and Moscow
Another significant occurrence is the singular
order transmitted from Berlin to all the high
civil and military functiOnaries, such as
General Won der Golz and Herr Won Wetten-
dorf. who were placed at the Sutan's service
four years ago to assist him in various admin
istrative and financial reforms. They have
been instructed by Prince Bismarck to resign
their appointments within the next three weeks
and to return to Germany. This cannot be con-
strued as evidence of Prince Bismarck's
acquiescence in the proposed partition of Euro
pean Turkey, but it betOkens his discernment
of the fact that important changes are impend-
ing and that the Sultan's dOminiOns are
menaced with attack.
Still more OmnOus is the prepOsterous
demand of the Russian COpsul-General at Sophia
and of the Ambassador at COnstantinople for
the immediate and unconditional release of
Captain Nabollof, who was arrested two weeks
ago as ringleader of plot for the assassination
of Prince Alexander and his Prime Minister on
their arrival at Bourgas. NabOkof is the
nephew Oh the former hllSSldD MllllSteT Oh JUS
tice in Bulgaria and his associates in this con-
spiracy were Russians and Montenegrins. 1t
has been generally assumed that they intended
to offer the Russian Government an opportunity
for proiiting by the death of the Prince and
by the confusion resulting therefrOm, and for
sending an army into the country under the
pretcxt of Quelling the disturbance and restor-
ing order. The arbitrary demand for the
leaders surrender is startling proceeding. 1t
is also worthy of attention that the Russian
Consular and Diplomatic corps in Bulgaria, act
ing no doubt under orders from St. Petersburg,
treat the Prince to whose court they are ac-
credited with the most studied as we'll as the
grossest dscourtesy. Their official residences
are the familiar headquarters of all those who
are disafectcd and hostile to Prince Aexanders
rule All these facts tend to confirm the
picioH that the war party in Russian councils,
always powerful is now restless and uncon-
trollable, and that events are marching rapidly
in the direction of another campaign in the
Rall.