New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-31
RUSSIA AND THE BILKlN.

Russia has been alternately rresolute and reck'
less in foreign policy Prince AlexandeTs military
successes enabled him to act i. pendently of the
St. Petersburg Foreign Office. He opened negOtia-
tons with Belgrade Bucharest and Athens, and en-
tered into defensive alliance with the Porte. The
Sultan early in February appointed him Governor
General of Eastern Rumela. with authority to
modify the laws OF the province The Prince IN re-
turn for this concession promised to place hlsarny
at the disposal of the Porte. bulgaria, which had
been designed to be a Russian bridge on the road
to ConstantInOple. was converted INTO iurklsh
bulwark. The two provinces were united under a
soldier prince, who could lead armies and make
successful for the federation of the Bal
kan states The situation, from the Russian point
of view, was intolerabe.
NJ de Gierss chief object was 20 keep the Eastern
question open at all hazards and to watch for an
opportunity for Russian military intervention. Ac-
cordingly, while he had INDUCED the Powers to send
early in January summons for the disarmament
of Sergia. Bulgaria Greece and Turkey, he secretly
encouraged each State to resist coercion. He pro-
posed that the request to disarm should be en-
forced. As Austria would not occupy Belgrade
Russia could not send an army into Bulgaria; but
Greece peremptorily warned that there must
be no campaign against Turkey. Premier Delyan-
MS, who was responsible for the Maritime Krg-
doms costly preparations for war; deiiantly refused
to order disarmament King Milan in like manner
called out the Servian reserves; the Porte con-
tinued to transport regiments to Macedonia ; aud
Prince Alexander not only demanded that his ap-
pointment as Governor of Rumelia shoud be for
life, but also arrested numerous Russian agents in
Bulgaria who were plotting against him. The
Powers decided early IN April that the Princes
Rupean term be reduced to five years and
he reluctantly signed the convention. Peace
between Bulgaria and Servia had already been
concluded The Greek Premier, secretly encouraged
by Russia and snatching at the hope of French
mediation refused to yield and challenged tho
Powers to do their worst. Nine ironclads belong
ing to England, Austria and Italy entered the
Pireus, and blockade of the coast was threat
ened. Delyannis, having failed to saddle upon King
George the responsibility Of dec ding between peace
and war, convoked the Chambers and retired from
Office. The Chambers meeting My 19condemned his
policy and ordered disarmament The treasury
had deem depleted and the population kept under
tension of constant excitement for many months;
and nothing had been accomplished. Deyannls
had miscaIculated the chances OF European war.
The processes of NJ de Giers's diplomacy were too
slow to suit the impetuous temper of the Car. IIo
assumed personal control of the Bulgarian question
about the tmo of Delyanns's surrender. He
visited Sebastopol aud issued order to the feet
that was interpreted throughout Europe as q
Sea were accompanied by the massing Of q large
army in Bessarabia. The liberation of Russian
officers arrested in Bulgaria for conspiracy was
peremptoriy demanded. The Porte was warned
against the consequence of its alliance
with Prince Alexander. Every Russian
Suite 10 the Balkan became a centre of disatec-
ton and treason. Finally, on August 81. Prince
Alexander was seized In his palace by venal
soldiers hurried to the Danube and transported to
Russian territory. Proelamations issued an
nouncing that he had ceased TO reign and that Pro-
visional Government had been established. With
in fOrty-eight hours this government was over
thown. the army having declared everywhere in
favor of the Prince The coup d'etat proved to DO
wholly destitute Of popular support. The Prince
having been released at REM returned to his CAPT
tai on September 4 and MADE his submission to tho
Car in a message couched in the humblest
language. The Car instead of complying with tho
Princes request TO send Prince Doigorouki on q
mission OF pacltcation vented his anger and spite
| In most insulting reply. After this
exhibition of imperial anger the Prince, who had
been most cordially received by his people. an
nounced his abdication. On September he retired
from the Capital after naming three Regents. The
Cars brutal policy had triumphed.
An organized system Of intimidation succeeded
these acts of diplomatic brgandage. General kaul'
bars, who was seat to Sophia the Cars personal
agent. demanded the release Of Prince Alexander's
kidnarpers, the abrogation of martial law and the
postponement of tho elections. lie assumed the
tone of q military dictator bullied the Regents,
teleoraped orders to commanders Of garrisons. Is
sued arbitrary proclamatons, aud addressed insult
ing speeches to Bulgarian audiences Tho generat
elections were held during October in spite Of hiQ
circumstances and resulted in the return Of u3Q
Nationalist and fifty Russian dalsgatsss Asl