The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-15

demand was granted. and finally, after
determined pressure on the part of the
Bulgarians on January 4. 1898. the Sultan
granted three berats of the five which ne
had promised. But these have lot salts
fed the Bulgarians, who dream OF the an
nexation of Macedonia and the freedom OF
the Bulgarians in Macedonia from Turk
ISL rule.
1t was because of Prince Ferdinand that
Russian and Bulgaria are now at odds
and the principalfty is unable to count
on the strong arm that was with II be-
fore, when it achieved its independence
The rupture of diplomatic relations be-
tween Bulgaria and Russia Is due 10
Prince Ferdinand As he had broken his
word to the Gar in accepting the BuI-
garian throne. in spite of a written prom
Use that he would not, Russia refused 10
recognize him as sovereign OF the prln-
cipality, and in consequence France and
Germany likewise refused him recogni-
ton, which was, however, accorded nm
by Austria and Great Britain.
To obtain the recognition of Russia af-
ter the death of Alexander. he threw over
Austria in the most cavalier fashion,
breaking faith with Emperor Franz Jo-
seph. converted his 4-year-old boy from
the Catholic to the Russian church. and
permitted if he did not actually instisate,
the murder of Premier Stambuloff, TO
whom he owed his throne and who had
distinguished himself by the vigOr with
which he had resisted the Russian ag-
erosion that began when Russia sought
to acquire predominating influence in the
principality, after securing its indepen-
dence.
Finally Ferdinand travelled to St. Peters
burg and asked Car Nicholas TO forgive
him. Ferdinand promised that those
traitorous Bulgarian officers, who after
permitting themselves TO be bribed by
Muscovjte rubles to kidnap the late
Prince Alexander, had been forced TO seek
refuge in Russia, where they had since
been living at the expense of the Russian
government, should be restored TO the
Bulgarian army with their full rank, as
if they had never been guilty of treach-
cry.
Subsequently he found that it would be
impossible to fulfill his pledge without
causing a revolution, which would result
in his own overthrow from the throne. He
might have risked even that had not the
Car been so shocked by his attitude in
connection with the murder of the Hun
garian actress. Anna Simon, by Ferdl-
hands favorite aid-de-camp that he re-
fused to receive him at st. Petersburg.
Ferdinand then turned to the Sultan, and
has added to his unpopularity IN Bulgaria
by his refusal to bring on revolution
in Macedonia.
War between Bulgaria and Turkey
over Macedonia would probably result in
the defeat of Bulgaria, for the Turkish
army has been considerably improved
German officers are busily engaged in
Germand officers are busily engaged in
drilling the Turkish soldiers. The Bull
pa riaDS have haan warned nv the powers
that they would keep hands off. The
powers declare that the outrages OF the
Turks on the Macedonians are a dOmes-
tic concern of Turkey, and refuse to in
terfere They are afraid that a partition
of Turkey would disturb the balance Of
power, and the same influences which
have kept the Sick man of Europe"
alive are now at work in his behalf. The
BulgarianS, however with the experience
of Greece before them-when Greece de-
fed the powers, and went 10 war and lost,
but again secured control of Crete-be-
lieve that the people OF the Christian ma
lions of Europe would be behind them.
For that reason they are willing TO risk
a war, and having a good army, they do
not even admit that they would be de-
feated
This is the state of the Near Eastern"
question at the present time, and this is
why the diplomats of Europe now have
their eyes on the Near East instead Of
the Far West" .r