The herald., 1896-02-02

good common sense that they
sre perfectly able to take care of them
selves. In short time railroads we're
constructed, schools we're built and
richly endowed, credit of the princi-
pality established ON firm basis, or.
der brought in every public depart
ment and such progress made in ev-
cry respect that the Bulgarians were
becoming more civilized than the Rus
slams themselves and consequently
less and less fitted for the transfer
nation into Muscovite subjects. The
! Russian instructors and officers were
politely but firmly informed that their
services we're no longer required.
It must not, however, be taken for
granted that there are no sympathisers
! with Russia among the Bulgarians.
| The members of the so-called Liberal
party are more favorably inclined to-
ward Russia than the majority of the
people, and as they have immense
sums of Russian money placed at their
disdosal, they are able to enroll many
followers and foment disorders among
a certain class of people.
After the abdication of Prince Alex.
ander, Ferdinand of Coburg was elected
to the throne of Bulgaria, the consent
of Russia not being asked. or course,
this was only fresh beginning OF
trouble. In the eyes of the Russians
Ferdinand is regarded as an usurper
and his reign not recognized by the
Russian government. He SO far has
persistently defied the efforts Of Rus
sia to undermine his throne. He mar
ried and founded dynasty, and but
short time ago was very popular in
Bulgaria. Now, however, since the as
| sessinatiou of the celebrated STAN bu-
| loft, "Bismsrck of the Balkans" Fer
dinand's chances of long reign have
greatly diminished, and he is regarded
by many as the actual murderer of the
late premier.
One of the most extraordinary men
of modern times, and the greatest an
tagonist Russia had to contend with,
was Stambulotf, the real master OF Bull
garia for many years. He was the
most commanding parsonage on the
Balkan peninsula, and occupied more
of the nervous attention of the diplo-
mats Of Europe than any other man,
for it must not be forgotten that Bull
garia is a powder magazine which, once
exploded, can cause a general Euro
pean confiagration. Son Of an inn
keeper in Tirnova, and with only three
years. soho ding in Odessa, the young
Stefan Stambuloff became Russian
correspondent. and then Russian
agent. He made the campaign OF 1877
as volunteer, and soon after
the war he rose, rapidly by his
own force Of character. Jointly
was appointed to the regency by Prince
A 10 nd rrrhn ho hi taI Il
under Ferdinand he became de facto,
if not de jure, the real master of his
native land. 1t Is not to bs denied
that Stambulof was cruel and unscru-
pulous, veritable man of ''blood and
iron", If he thought that Bulgarian in
dependence was in danger. The ex-
ample of Major Panitza illustrates this
plainly. That brilliant officer, rels-
tion Of Stambuloff, disliking Prince
Ferdinand and the party in power,
began to plot with Russia for the over
throw of the existing government.
The intrigue was however discovered
by Stambuloff, who during night went
to PanitZA's house, arrested him per-
sonally, ordered him to be tried and
condemned to death. NotwitLstaud-
ing his relationship with the con-
damned man Stambulof insisted upon
the sentence being carried into effect,
and when Prince Ferdinand hesitated
in signing the warrant, the naughty
minister significantly remarked: "There
is one thing We can always do for Your
Highnsss-we can always buy you
first-class ticket to Vienna" The
prince understood the threat, yields ID
and PauitZa was shot nsXt evening.
STAN bulof, like any other man of
extraordinary ability, had many enc
mics as we'll as warm friends. Though
he made Ferdinand the ruler of Bull
garia, yet be was detested by the
prince. The prince began to feel
strong enough to claim his share in the
government after the birth of son
had STRENGTHENED the life of TIE dy-
nasty. He felt aggrievsd because
StambuloH had not pressed bis claims
for recognition by the European pow
ers, and was no longer willing to iden-
tify the fortunes of his dynasty with
the fate of a particular party, DOM
mated by one masterful spirit. SIAM
bulof, tired of the intrigues against
him, and knowing that sooner or later
he would be again recalled, rendered
his resignation as prime minister.
Most violent demonstrations for or
against StambuloH followed all over
Bulgaria, which finally ended with the
cowardly assassination OF the premier.
1t is perfectly known fact that Fer
dinand was responsible to great ex-
tent for the murder of Stambulof.
1t ia significant fact that short time
before the murder Ferdinand left for
Carlsbad, Bohemia, and it is even as
serted that before his departure he ex-
claimed to number Of friends: "I
must get rid of that wretch, Stambu.
loft" II so, then the prince is the in
stigator of murder and directly re-
sponsible for it.
No one can predict how long Ferdi-
nand can keep his throne. With
Stambuloff passed away man
who, with all his faults, loved his
country and knew what was necessary
to make his native land prosperous.
Now the outlook is ominous. Russia
is beginning to egitate anew, the insur-
gents in Macedonia are in arms against
tbs Turkish rule. certain party is
advocating the union of Romania and
Bulgaria under the rule of King
Charles; and again a certain party
wishes to dethrone Ferdinand and put
Prince George of Greece on the throne
of Bulgaria. All these questions and
msny others Stambuloff alone could
have solved, but now-no one being
there-they can cause general Euro
pean war. Qui viva verra.