The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-22

Russia and France. to reassert q measure
OF authority over Bulgaria, 30 far Mt least
as to re8ccupy Eastern Roumelia. whose
relation OF vnssalage to the Porte
was incontestably affirmed by the Ber-
lin treaty. IL is tolerably certain. how
ever, that tho Dulgnrians will fight
sooner than givo up Eastern Roumelia,
which they have unlawfully annexed; and
no. one doubts that Austro-Hungary will
sustain them In all attitude Of resistance.
Docs It follow that Germany. Italy. and
England would cooperate with Austria to
the extont Of repcling. not only by dlplo-
macy. but by force, an attempt Of Turkey
TO recover the province lying south Of the
Balkans. and Mt present Illegally incorpo-
rated with northern Bulgaria2
So fur as the text Of the treaties consti-
tuting the Triple Alliance is known. neither
Germany nor Italy Is bound to do anything
OF the kind. Tho refusal Of Austria to per-
init the enforcement of the Berlin treaty
Is surely not one OF the contingencies which
specifically require the armed Intervention
OF her allies. Nor, IL BISMARCK were now
Chancellor is there any reason to suppose
that Germany would so on inch beyond the
strict letter Of her obligations In regard to
disturbances In southeastern Europe. Bis
MARcK's motive. however. for sacrificing
Bulgaria would have been the retention OF
the Cars good will. That good will Is lost
to Germany. and the patent friendship and
suspected coalition Of Russia and France
would naturally dispose WILLIAM II.
to obligo his ally. FRANCIS JOSEPH.
and to obstruct tho Cars designs. What
ever course the German empire should
elect to pursue. the Italian Government
could probably on one pretcxt or another
be induced to follow. Hence the gravity OF
an incident which would otherwise seem
frivolous: hence tho anxiety with which
well-informed men regard the attempt Of
France to persuade Turkey to undertake
the forcible coercion Of Bulgaria. Such a
move on tho Sultan's part would imply re-
lance on the assistance OF Russia and France
In case Of need and the appearance OF Aus
tria on the side Of the Bulgarians would be
expected to eventually involve tho other
powers represented In the Triple Alliance.
1t seems incredible that England. which
had the largest share In drawing up the
Berlin treaty. would fight to avert the dis
placement OF Prince FERDINAND by a ruler
acceptable to Russia. for tho treaty dis
tlnctly contemplated such acceptability.
That was to be. indeed, the Cars chief
compensation for all the outpour Of blood
and treasure in the Russo-Turkish war.
Neither can we see how the British Gov
eminent could with any consistency op-
pose the restoration OF Eastern Roumelia
to Turkey. seeing that tho province was
awarded to her at the Congress Of Berlin.
It was, in fact. just the disposition
made OF Eastern Roumella on which Lord
BEAcoNsFIELD and Lord SALISBURY plumed
themselves. when they told the British peo-
pie that they brought them "peace with
honor" Lord SAL1sDURY's ingenuity would
be taxed to describe as other than war
with dishopor" contest undertaken to
assure impunity to violators Of treaty
which he helped to frame.
It is undoubtedly the truth that the Gar
has been wronged in this Bulgarian busi
ness. and that in helping to redress the in
jury. France will deserve tho sympathy Of
fair-minded onlookers.