The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-01
THE EASTERN SITUATION.

Anairs Again Wearing a Serious Aspect
Russia Apparently Preparing for a Tus-
sle with Turkey--The Proposed imperial
Pleasure Trip and Its Signifcance--The
extreme Pressure Under Which the
King of Greece Submits to the Will of the
Powers.
LONDON, March 92.-The situation in
the East is again becoming serious. This
time it is not the Balkan states that are
threatening trouble, for the belligerent or
der of Servia and Bulgaria and the aspi-
ratiOns of Greece have alike been tbrot-
tied by the powers. The disturbing fac
tor now is the captions and bullying atti-
tude of Russia regarding the Turco-Bul-
garian treaty. A few days ago she OBJ
jected to the designation of the ruler of
Eastern Roumelia, As "Prince Alexander
of Bulgaria" and insisted upon ''the
Prince of Bulgaria" This demand
being conceded, she now demands that
the term of the Princes rulerShip, in
stead of being for life shall be limited
to five wears. If this concession be also
granted she will formulate new condi-
ton tomorrow, and thus prolOng the
crisis. The cause of this stubborn re-
fusal by Russia TO accept the Bulgarian
Union as an accomplished fact, is sub
iect of much anxious speculation. 1t is
well known that the Gar has 4 candidate
for the throne of Bulgaria in the per-
son of his brother-in-law, Prince Waldo
mar, of Denmark, and one theory
is that the former is seek
ing to accomplish by obstructive
tactics what he failed to do by more d.
rect diplomacy for the deposition of
Prince Alexander as punishment for his
coup d'etat of last September. But this
theory is not broad enough to cover all
the circumstances of the case, and the
general belief is that much deeper game
is being played. News received to-day
from St. Petersburg throws new light up
OF the situation, but does not wholly elu-
cidate the difficulty. The cOnScription is
being enforced this year with unusual
zeal and thOrOughneSS. As fast as small
squads of conScriptS are obtained they are
sent to the small interior fortreSses or
garrison towns, while a correspond
ing number of veterans are draft
ed off to the great depOtS to be sent to
Join the force now being concentrated on
the frontier of ROumania. Thus the army
which is being formed in the South in
apparent preparation for tuSSle with
Turkey is getting some of the best ma
terial in Russia, which indicates the
Importance attached TO its mission. The
Gar, CZarina and CZarovitch are soon to
start on tour through the southwestern
portion of their domain. The projected
expedition is spoken of in the
official paper as pleasure trip,
but it is believed to have a deeper signi-
ficance. The route of the Imperial party
includes SebastOpOl, KherSOn, NikOli and
Odessa. The official programme an
nOunceS that 4 review of troops will be
made at each of these places, and the
general opinion is that the main object Of
the journey is to enable the Car To per-
sOnally inspect the vast army ne is as
sembling, and Judge of its fitness for
the important work before it. The visit
to SebaStOpOl also doubtless means
an inspection of the large dockvard and
arsenal at that port, where warlikc pre-
parations have lately been resumed with
great yigor. Russian troops are also be-
ing maSSed at Batoum and other points
in trans -CaucaSia, which fact seems 10
point To 4 Russian invasion of Turkey via
Armenia rs an alternative or support To
an invasion by way of the Balkans. These
extensive war preparations seem to mean
that Russia is at last prepared for and de-
tcrmined upon final and decisive crap
pie with the Porte This determination
would be quite sufficient to explain Rus
Sia'S search in the Bulgaria imbro@li0
for pretcxt for invasion. An liz
terestin@ side rumOr bearing on
this point is that Prince Alexander, though
OstenSibly an object of aversion to his
imperial nameSake. is really the latter'S
subsidized tool. and will not oppose the
passage of any number of Russian troops
across his dominion after being landed
al FarnI from Russian Transports.
4 curious story IS told aS to the terms
on which King George of Greece finally
submitted to the mandate OF the powers
that there should be no TurcO-G -Grccian
war. The King has for months been will
inc enough to consent to peace and TO
discontinue his runouS war preparations,
nut has been afraid of losing his throne
through the desperate eagerncsS OF
the war party among his sub
jects. The honest broker oi
Berlin after time saw where
the shoe pinched, and offered
guarantee the safety of the
Kings dynasty if he would Gisarm and
renOuncc all idea of war. The young
King timOrOuSIy hPsitated for long
time, but finally replied tn Bismarck that
he would obey his wishes If the Powers
would make some vigorous demonStra-
tion to show the Greek people he only
submitted under extreme pressure.
This was agreed to, and
in pursuance of this agreement
it is said the allied fleet is now steaming
from Suda bay to blockade the port of
Athens, not to coerce the King, but with !
his connivance to cOerce the subjects. |
This story, if true, explains many intrica-
cies in recent occurrences in Greece, and /
the willingness of the young King to save |
himself, no matter at whose expense, re- |
vealS very unkingly characteristic.