Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-29
BULGARIA.
TIE RACKET AmoNs THE R 'sEs-rHE
PRINCES.
The Country sra Psopls-sussis's Schemes
Of conqusst-Ths Eastern
oaostion.


| The racket that BulRafih las pceh
kicking up in Europe within the last few
years, 80 entirely out OF proportion TO
! its size and importance, has been largely
due TO the conflicting ambitions OF the
great Powers concerning il. The re-
centy-chosen ruler Of this much-disputed
little principality. Prince Ferdinand, has
since bis accession been striving hard TO
gain popularity and win the affections OF
his subjects, and with this view has lately
been making extensive tours IN the rose
regions, inspecting the lannon's rose gar
| dens at Kazanlik, in Eastern Roumeha,
and graciously accepting samples OF altar
/ OF roses from village manufacturers. Al
though set up to rule over land bloom
ing with roses the year round, 1t con-
tinues to be for him anything but bed
! OF roses, chiefly because Russia is bent
on making the throne O seat OF thorns
for him, or for any other occupant until
she can manage to shatter it into pieces
and annex the province to her own
already extensive domain. The odds
being 80 heavily against him, his re-
peated attempts TO win over the natives,
now under the continual worry OF Rus
sian agents and active emissaues, have
attained surprising degree OF success,
and his late tours among the cautions
villagers yielded no regrets At present
the same ultimate fate stares him IN the
face that befell his predecessor,
Prince Alexander--viz., clearing out OF
the country in twenty-four hours time
under penalty Of death. The ferment
that set in so actively this spring
throughout ell the little States of the
Balkan peninsula, and especially IN Bull
qaria. still continues, OWING to the M
stinctive feeling and ominous signs as
TO the imminence of serious changes in
their political fortunes. The basis for
this fermcnt is indeed well founded, for
Russian soldiers are concentrated in the
south of tho Cars domain, and might
very readily be moved forward 10 take
possession Of Bulgaria in case the st, Pc
tersburg rulers should seethe immediate
chance of successfully performing such
Job.
PRINCE ALEXANDER OF BATTENBERG.
The coveted prinoipahty is small,
having only fourteen thousand square
miles OF srea and population OF tive
Millions, but its strategic value is great,
particularly for Russia. II was sliced of
Turkey in consequence OF tho war OF
1877, and by virtue Of tho Berlin treaty
of 1873 erected into o nominahy cove
reign State. The ruler preceding the
present occupant of the throne was the
now notorious Prince Alexander of Bat
tenberE, who was originally an officer in
the German army, and who during his
reign displayed considerable ability
both rs a soldier and q diplo-
mat. He organized Bulgaria and
placed it on such a respectable
footing that he got along famous!y well
too well, for his prosperous efforts
aroused jealousies on ell sides, sharpen
ed, of course, by Russian intrigue. In
the war that little Servia wAged upon
him he was at first taken unswares, but
so well had he prepared for emergencies
after the MOltke style that before the
fighting between these two little Powers
had fairly gotten under way he had com
pletely turned the tables on the Seryian
army, and would have fairly crushed II
and annexed Servia if, the great Powers
had not stepped in, declared an
armistice and compelled peace. Aus
tria was disinoTined to see Servia, its
pr0teqe, 60 down, and Russia, not
disposed to see Bulgaria grow strong, at
once set TO work to get rid OF Prince
Alexander, who hsd shown himself go
unexpectedly able to handle an enemy.
Before he was aware of the seriousness
of his position disaster struck him all OF
a heap. His principal officers headed O
revolution right in his little capital to
Dust him from the throne. He was sur
rounded by them and summoned to re-
sign instantly, and did SO. They then
shipped him under military escort across
the frontier. That was the last Bulgaria
saw of him for some weeks, though not
the last heard of him.
THE PRESENT RULER.
After much hunting up and down
through the European royal courts q
successor to him on the throne OF Bull
garia was found i'll the person OF Prince
Ferdinand of Coburg-Gotha, also q
German sprig Of royalty, who still holds
the boards, though, as above stated,
after most precarious tenure. lie is
young man Of twenty-seyen summers,
mild, and with no other ambition than
to enjoy quietly his royalty il thefatet
would only so allow; he is neither Al
ambitious soldier nor On intriguing
diylomat-neither helps England MOI
plots against Russia. Yet, oil the same,
he is offensive to Russia because
she herself wants TO occupy his
place, and that most eagerly and
impatiently, because until she does get II
she feels that she is euchered out Of the
winnings of her last war. She won the
lind by arms in 1877. In himself the
new ruler is SO weak as not to constitute
an obstacle needing 10 be overturned,
bat be stands, while he does stand OF all,
for the will Of the great Powers, and thi;
the Gar viii not attempt to overthrow
until he is fully ready to strike and seize
his prey. "1he will Of the great Pow
ers is thing that does not nowadays
stand for so much as it used to in Eu
rope not by any means 80 sacredly re
garded, as Russia, Napoleon Ill
Bismarck, and Others have oyel
and over again shown. There Ii
much talk abput combined action
until the pinch OF any crisis comes
and then the one or two Powers that arc
the strongest, like the Tontine survivor
who takes all, do just about what II
plesses them to do. Ali three specified
towers defed several times a diplomati'
caly-united Europe within the last few
decades. Although Ferdinand is moi
plotting nor countermining against Rus
sian agencies. at present spread broad
cast through every available nook and
corner OF the Bulgarian territory, he ii
constantly engaged in the attempt &c
win the good opinion of his subjects by
his mildness. correct behavior, aud Other
little pleasant ways.
TIRE CAPITAL.
Sophia, the capital, has a population
OF 50, 600, and is situated on plateau
the environment Of which is only poorly
cultivated. The town does not presen
pleasing aspect. the streets being mar
row ami crooked, lined with houses in