The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-24
BULoARIA's PRINCE FERDINAND.


Prince Ferdinand OF Bulgaria seems
destined to supply the comic relief I'm
the political drama OF Europe. He Is
a subordinate actor, who is occasional
ly permitted to strut across the stage.
and who never fails to amuse the spec
tators. Whether he faithfully adheres
to the lines provided for him, or
whether he ventures upon little bit OF
gag" on his own account, he Is always
entertaining. In Constantinople about
a year ago he obtained his little erect
by means OF a bit OF gaminerie all his
own. On his visit TO the czar, accom-
panied by the princess and their son
Boris, whose theological position ne
took so much pains to regulate, Prince
Ferdinand has had TO conform strictly
TO orders. He has been received with
punctilious regard to the etiquette gov
erning the reception of vassal prince
and has been obliged to give Implicit
obedience to the master OF the cere-
monies. But he has contrlved 10 pe
amusing all the same. He has played
the vassal prince with SO fine an as
sumption OF real princely indepenu-
ence. and has yet displayed such
naive delight in the gracious patronage
extended To him, that the audience is
entirely satisfied with what may be de-
scribed as carefully qualified distinc-
ton, and all the world Is aware tnat
the reception was chiefly disciplinary
and hortatory. But his delight has been
unbounded, and the effusiveness OF his
thanks has been quite touching. he
has managed to convey along with
gratitude which is almost sycophantic.
the impression that his visit Is great
event for Russia as well as for him.
I., 40 tor IF
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 snow,
however, that the czar Is not the only
ruler who can give orders, ne In turn
has decorated the czar. Thus does ne
soar above the etiquette that marks
him a vassal. and asserts his essential
princeliness.
The Russian press has been very KIND
to Prince Ferdinand. and has been al
most as effusive as himself. IL mas
coupled him with the aspirations or the
Slav world and treated him as a sort
of warden of the marches, bearing the
brunt OF the struggle against the ag-
gressiyc German spirit. This Is, no
doubt, very gratifying to the prince,
and has. perhaps, been astuteiy
prompted by the people who usually IN
spire the Russian press, IN order TO
provide him with happiness which costs
nothing and cornprcmises nobody. The
official world. We learn, does not snare
in the exaltation Of the press. 1t takes
the prince more coolly and less seri-
ously. as knowing very well by what
wires the puppet is moved. 1t may be
taken as certain that he was invited to
ST. Petersburg for reasons which have
little to do with his personal glorifica-
ton. His visit was Intended TO make
A. A. - IT, .fnh ~ q
tread, and IL that path be strewn with
a few flowers, the orders are none the
less Imperative. and the penalties for
disobedience none the less clearly an-
dicated.
Prince Ferdinand in fact, had to be
reminded that while he Is the nominal
vassal Of the sultan, he must conduct
himself as the docile servant OF Russia.
1t Is not unsatisfactory that he should
be thus schooled. He Is not the sort or
person who can be left TO his own de-
vices in such a magazine OF compus-
tibles as the Balkan peninsula. Russia
Intends to use him for her own ends,
which some day may turn out to be
not altogether in harmony with the IN
terests Of her neighbors But in the
meantime. at all events, Russia agrees
with her neighbors in desiring peace
among the Balkan states. while ruler
of Prince Ferdinand's fighty and un-
stable character might at any moment
imagine that he could promote his own
interests by stirring up strife the end of
which he cannot foresee. Russia. at all
events. is a responsible power, pursuing
a steady and well-considered policy.
Should she at any time desire quarrel
in eastern Europe, she will have no diff
fculty In bringing il about, with or
without Prince Ferdinand. In the
meantime her control of his policy is
guarantee that a quarrel shall not be
sprung upon states. none of which de-
sires it, merely by the caprice of vas
sal prince, or through his inability to
control revolutionary movements.
Through the prince ii Is no doubt the
hope of Russia to acquire predominant
influence, IL not complete control, over
Bulgaria itself. To a great extent she
is bound TO succeed, partly by the In
evitable and perfectly legitimate at
traction which the great Slav empire
must exert upon small Slav communi-
ties. and partly by reason of the mis-
takes of Austrian policy. But the Bull
xarian people have not hitherto shown
much disposition to throw themselves
unrcservedly into Russian hands, norris
there any reason TO think that tneir
love of independence Is on the wAne.
I'D to a certain point they will gladly
follow Russia's lead. but they are ca
pable OF breaking loose II the leading
strings are drawn too tight.
Prince Ferdinand has already recalled
and appointed to high posts conspira-
tors whom Bulgaria would be better
without He has Invited other Bull
garian officers who found employment
i'm the Russian army to return home
and receive similar promotion. All this
is part of the service he is expected tc
render i'm return. for Russian compli-
ments and recognition 1t tends not
only to fiji the administration with
Russian sympathizers, but to serve as
n warning to all concerned that fidelity
to Russia will in the long run be re-
warded. though 1t may entail tempo
rary Inconvenience. 1t has yet to bt
seen, however, how far the Bulgarians
will acquiesce In a .generai RussianIz'
inc Of their army and civil administra-
tion. which is undoubtedly menace te