Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-15
Bull LGARIA's PRINCE FERDINAND
II. II. Irau.triously Cultivating the
Political Friendship OF
Russia.

Russia.
From the London Times. s.s-
Prince Ferdinand, Of Bulgaria, seems oes-
tined to supply the comic relle1 III tne
political drama of Europe He Is suo-
ordinate actor. who Is occasionally per
mitted to strut across the stage anu mno
never fails to amuse the spectators. Wneth-
er he faithfully adheres to the lines pro
yided for him, or whether he ventures upon
a little bit of a gag on his own account
he is always entertaining; IN his little
erect by means of bit of gaminerie az
his own On his visits to the car. az
companied by the princess ano tIeir ha teou
Boris whose theological position ne TOOK
SO much pains to regulate, Pr1nce fetoI-
nand has had to conform strictly 70 OF
ders. He has been received Win puncthh ,he
ious regard to the etiquette governing the
reception of a vassal prince and mas pesn
Obliged to give implicit obedience TO the
master of the ceremonies; But ne hds ds
has played the vassal prince with SO hne
an assumption of real princely independ-
ence. and has yet displayed sueh aa,andsd a naisg
isfed with his performance. He was re-
ceived with what may 1e descf1oeI d ~, a9 N
the world is aware that the reception was
chiefly disciplinary and hortatory, But MS
delight has been uEbounded, anu no. .he ,,,its
touching. He has managed TO convey,
along with gratitude which Is almost
sycophantic, the IMPRESSION ina. LII mis 10 'r far
himself. In consideration of his humble
submission in the past and OF the con
tinued submission expected from MN IN
the, future. the czar has decorated him
with a coveted order. To show, however.
that the czar is not the only ruler VINO
can give orders. he in turn has deeoratsd d
the car. Thus does he soar above the
etiquette that marks him a vassal, and as
serts his essential princeliness.
press n mas been Reeve ysrs Rnf as
with the aspirations of the slav world and
him as ,se sort brnt of she
gle against the aggressive German spirit.
This is, no doubt, very gratifying TO the
prompted by the people who usually In
| spire the Russian press, in order to pro-
vide him with happiness which costs moth;
world, we learn. does not share in the ex-
altation of the press. 1t takes the prince
more coolly and less seriously. as knowing
moved. 1t may be taken as certain that
he was invited to ST. Petersburg for rea-
sons which have little to df DO with his .pa per,
| to make plain to him the path in which he
with few flowers, the orders are none
| the less imperative, and the penalties for
disobedience none the less clearly indi'
| Gated.
| Prince Ferdinand, IN TACT, nao TO De re.
| minded that while he Is the nominal vassa
| of the sultan, he must conduct himself a
the docile servant of Russia; II Is not
that he sozt should ~ De thus h
can be left to his own devices in such q
magazine of combustibles as the Balkan
peninsula Russia intends to use MIN @ iol
| out to be not altogether in harmony will
the interests of her neighbors. But in tn,
VITA hep neishbars in s desiring peace among
the Balkan States, while ruler of Prince
Ferdinand's fiighty and unstable charactel
could promote his own interests by stirring
up strife the end of which he cannot fore
see. Russia, at all events, Is resp0nsiol'
sidered policy. Should she at any time de
sire a quarrel in Eastern Europe. she VII
have no difficulty in bringing It about, VIII
| or without Prince Ferdinand. In the mean
time her control of his policy is guaran
| tee that a quarrel shall not be sprung upol
states none of which desires 1t, merely b;
! the caprice of a vaSSal prince, or through
his inability to control revolutionary move
ments. a,
hope Of Russia to acquire predominant in
fuence, If not complete control, over Bul
garia itself. To great extent she !
to
the great Slav empire must exert upo
small Slav communities. and partly D
reason Of the mistakes OF Austrlan ian ts3he P1hsy
to shown much disposition to throw them
: selves unreservedly into Russian hands
nor is there any reason to think that tnei
, love Of independence is on the wane. Up I
certain point they will gladly aoi,eT of Srsa Kpk
sas lead but they ydin are sirnes aPaee are re draw
Prince Ferdinand has already recalle
and appointed to high posts conspiratoi
whom bulgaria would be better withou
He has invited other Bulgafisan ,sa dassa Sfiise,
army to return home and receive simila
promnotion. n G All this is part Of the ser,
Ice he is expected to render in return fe
Russian compliments and recognition
tends not only to fill the administratio
with Russian sympathizers but t,t to sis1;; seTt
3 | to Russia will in the long run be reward
3 ed. though it may entail temporary H,eS inso,
q | yenience. 1t has yet to be seen. howeve
how far the Bulgarians will acquiesce
3 a general Outstanding. Of their army an
= civil administration. which Is undouoted
Y | q menace to the independence tneS priz