Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-21
rhe vlannn speolal AudIence.


The latest thread 10 enter into the mesh
Of Balkan intrigue and uncertainty Is the
granting by Emperor FRANZ JoszrH, of
Austria, OF special audience TO Prince
FERDINAND, Of Bulgaria. II as held in GER
tain quarters tho action Of the
head OF the Austro-Hungarian mon
archy implies recognition OF the
legal status of Bulgaria the thread may
draw the web into knot that can
only be cut by the sword. The govern
mental conditions existing in Bulgaria are
in violation of the Berlin treaty and merely
by federation Of tho great Powers. That
treaty expressly stipulated that whoever
should govern Bulgaria should be preyi-
ously recognized by the Powers signatory
20 tho agreement. ALEXANDER Of Bat
tenberg was in favor with Russia
until 10 became apparent that he
would not pursue policy that would
aid Russia IN the final absorption OF the
Balkan peninsula and the extinction OF Bull
garian independence. The Cars change
Of relations with the deposed Prince found
its most significant expression in the with
drawal Of Russian officers from the Bulga-
rian army, and his feeling against ALExAa-
DER was intensified when the latter de-
feated Servia. ALEXANDER was overthrown
in the revolution that placed FERDINAND
on the throne. but the Cars hatred oil
FERDINAND amounts to passion. AS a
consequence ALEXANDRA is in the position
OF a usurper.
A recognition by FRANZ JOSEPH OF FEEDr-
sAsp as ruler of Bulgaria would therefore
be bold move on the part OF Austria,
seeing that it would give Russia an excuse
for declaring war that would put the other
great Powers that signed the Berlin treaty
at disadvantage. Yet there are recent
Developments which give color to argu-
ment that Austria has made such move.
There can be no question that Russian
influence is regaining the aseendancy
In the Balkans. and that new life is being
impaired to the Pan-Slavic crusade by the
Oars emissaries. Only few days ago
IaYATEIFFs organ DANGEROUSLY urged that
Seryian troops advance into old Servia,
and within very short time Servian sol
diers have been marched close to the Bull
garian frontier. 1t is no secret that Russia
is aiming to obtain control OF the
Danube by stationing Russian officials
at all important strategic points,
and Rome dispatch of Thursday says
that the Holy See has just denied peti-
ton from the Catholic clergy and laity OF
Dalmatea praying that their old national
language may DO restored in the
Church service-the suggestive ground OF
denial being that such restoration
would strengthen the political and reli-
pious ties between Russia and Aus
trials Slav population. The Prince OF
Montenegro, which province is the strong,
hold of Russia in the Balkans, Is soon to
visit the young King of Servia. and last
but not least, as indicating the goal the
Gar is striving for. the rumor that the
Czarowich is to marry one of the Mon
tenegrin princesses has been revived
When all these facts, together with
Austria's treaty relations, are considered, II
is not at all improbable that the Vienna
court may have departed from its usual
yacillating course and determined to start
the ball in motion that would bring affairs
TO a crisis. FERDINAND is German prince
of the house of CoBUBa and has always been
on friendly social terms with the head OF
the house of HAPsBURG. This, it is true,
may enable Austria to grade the
Especial audience from a challenge to
Russia to rebuke or expression of dis
pleasure and open the way for explana
tions. But even taking the most optimis.
tic view of the incident, so far as it relates
to the peace of Europe, it can hardly fail to
increase the tension between Russia and
Austria and hasten that clash of arms
which all students of the Balkan problem
seem to admit is inevitable.