Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-26
Plucky Bulgaria,

Despite the pertinency of BIsMABcE's
assertion that Bulgaria is the plague-spot
OF Europe, that country, comparatively
insignificant as il is in point OF wealth and
population, is continually placing herself
in position to demand the applause OF the
world. Ever since the Berlin treaty Bull
garia has occupied an anomalous place
in the congress of nations. She has been
in the pale of the treaty, yet ont OF 1T, re-
ceiving its protection in measure. yet
ignoring it; the object of conspiracies on
agreement, yet holding her own with what
has amounted almost to q reckless def
ance. She has been the subject of diploma
tic dictatlon from Russia, Austria, Germany,
Turkey, and even England and France, but
in practical results has in the end generally
managed to secure her own terms. She
has time and again seemed in danger of
having her autonomy obliterated, but when
the crisis was over her lease upon indie
pendence was stronger than ever before.
Only short while back the relations of
Bulgaria and Turkey were strained to the
utmost tension, in view of the action of tho
Bulgarian authorities in lberating the
Rustchuk conspirators. The object OF
these conspirators was the emancipation
of Armenia from the rule of the Sultan, and
SO pronounced was Bulgarian sympa-
thy with that object that there
was talk Of Turkeys making CON-
mon cause with Russia against the
little power. This. Ct course, would
meant the domination of Bulgaria by the
Cara condition that Russia has long
had in yew, as Bulgaria Is the key TO the
Balkan peninsula SD far as the Pan-Slayic
movement is concerned. But Turkish
threats in the premises utterly failed to
move or intimidate the authorizes at Sofia.
and in their place has been made coDces-
sion greatly coveted by the Bulgars. The
Porte has discovered that it is better to
conciliate than to antagonize its plucky
little neighbor. and has therefore granted
permission for the construction of rail-
road connecting Sofa with Salonica.
Hitherto Turkey has strenuously op-
posed such an Improvement. The con-
cession is one OF great value 70
Bulgaria, considered either from CON-
mercia or political standpoint. The line
will not only Afford an outlet for the pro-
duce of a very rich country, with the re-
suit of building up lucrative trade. but
cannot fail to strengthen the hands of the
Bulgars as against Russian aggression.
Every point gained from the concession by
Bulgaria is point lost for Russia in the
game for influence in the Balkan states;
and in flew of the history of southeastern
Europe since the Russo-Turkish war, who
shall say it does not constitute long step
towards realizing the hope of Bulgarian
statesmen, which is a Balkan confedera-
ton with Bulgaria at ths head. That
hope was entertained for Servia. but
was shattered by Bulgaria under her
| recently -deposed prince. The other States,
save Roumania, are practically Deepen
denotes. Bulgaria alone of the group CON-
mands the respect OF Europe. and while
the hope referred to may seem an extrava-
CANT one for so small nation to cherish,
it is not among the impossibilities that as
protection against Russia the other great
powers may see that it is to their advan-
tage to encourage its fruitlon. Indeed, it
is not improbable that such movement
would have taken practical shape some
time ago but for the fact that Hungary
| fears that Balkan confederation would.
owing to the sympathies of certain ele-
ments within her boundaries and certain
racial aAinities. eventually tend to her dis
intepration.