The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-24
His Elevation to Power Was Usurpation of
Kingly Prerogatives. but the Czar Will
Not Seek His Deposition by Force.
"A Suggestion that Turkey Take the In
itiative in Removing Ferdinand.
Lord Churchill Declares that Ireland VIII
Never Be Granted Home Rule-lrish Police
Interfere in a Work of Humanity.
RUSSIA AND BULGARIA.


The Former Holds that Prince Ferdinand's
Accession to Power Was Illegal
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 23.-The Official Mes
senger says that recent foreign private tels-
grams have asserted that Count Won Schouvaloff,
the Russian ambassador at Berlin, has sub
mitted proposals to Germany regarding Bull
garia. To correctly judge the present state of
affairs, it says, it is necessary to recall Russias
original views concerning Bulgaria. The Ber-
lin treaty forms the basis of the order of things
established in the Balkans in pursuance of the
powers understanding, and constitutes the only
international guarantee against commissions
dangerous to the future Of the young Balkan
states. From this point of view Russia re-
garded the events that have occurred in Bull
garia since Prince Alexander abdcated
the throne. Prince Ferdinand's arrival
and his forcible assumption of princely
power ipfringed upon tho Berlin treaty.
For this reason Russia refused to recognize the
legality Of Prince Ferdinands rule aud tried to
induce the other cabinets to express the same
view. In accordance with unanimous desire
to terminate the existing alarming condition of
affairs, whose root is specially traceable to
the ambiguous situation in Bulgaria, Russia
considered it her duty to again try to obtain
from the powers an affirmation OF the inviola-
biity Of the treaty, and the necessity of restor-
ing the legal status in Bulgaria. The natural
consequences Of such declaration by the pow
ers must DO tho making of representations at
Constantinople to induce the Sultan TO convince
the Bulgarian people that the person now bear
ing the title of Prince is not their legal ruler,
but merely q robber of power. According to
Russia's views, the initiative for such declara-
tions belongs to the Sultan, whose sovereign
rights the illegality at Sofia Immediately
affects Without anticipating the future.
.Akn
cerning RussiAs objects and Intentions, it is
unnecessary to conceal tho mode OF action
which she is firmly resolved to adopt In the
event of the removal of the reasons causing
continuance of the crisis. Bulgaria owes her
existence to Russas sacrifices and efforts.
Russia, therefore. alone continues to sympathize
with her and grieve at her trials. Russia Is
equally aloof from prejudice and partially. She
does not think it compatible with her dignity to
interfere in Bulgaria's internal disputes, yet she
does not entertain the idea of making anyone re-
sponsible for the past Russia will consider an
avowal of alterations as pledge of a change
for the better. Russia desires Bulgarias well
fare, and after the Usurpe-'s removal awaits the
first sincere declaration OF tho Bulgarians
through their representatives In order to consign
the past to oblivion and provide for the reestab-
lShment of relations based upon mutual conf
dence. In this, Russia has no intention to pref
dice in any way the liberty or the Bulgarians,
which the treaty secured to them in all internal
affairs. Russia cannot forget that Bulgaria
owes her freedom more especially to Russia,
and that it Is not in the suppression, but in the
defense or the rights or the Bulgarlans that nus
sias mission lies. Only the persons who
caled upon to guide Buleara's destinies would
understand how to make reasonable use of these
rights May the Bulgarians be taught by
perience at length to see the necessity of re-
nouncing personal rivalry and schemines. and
to unite in efforts to bring Bulgaria in the
way Of legality and prosperity. In such case
foreign Intervention would become purposeless
and superduous, and the installation of the new
prince would be accomplished without OBJ
stacle, and in accordance with the treaty. The
above considerations have guided Russia from
the beginning of the Bulgarian crisis, and have
induced her from the outset to reject the idea
of eventually restoring the legal status by force.
At the same time, as a matter of course, until
the removal of the usurper. Russia will continue
to regard the situation as illegal, retaining the
conviction that in such removal lies the most
effcacious means Of insuring general tran
Quillity.
BERLIN. Feb. 23-The North German Ga
zette. in speaking of tho Bulgarian question,
contends that the Russian proposals do not
quire the unanimous support of the powers be-
fore being accepted by the Porte. The Porte
can. on its own initiative, declare the present
Bulgarian government illegal. as being contrary
to the provisions of the treaty of Berlin Should
Russia demand that the Porte make Changes in
the government Of Bulgaria to conform with the
provisions OF the treaty. Turkey could not de-
cline to do so without denial OF justice. The
Gazette says that Ia the event of an immediate
demand being made by Russia, Germany is pre-
pared to give il diplomatic support