New-York tribune., 1901-08-02
RUSSIA AND THE BALKANS.


The days news conveys much menace from
the Balkans. AT present chiefly from Albania
1t is only Il fortnight or so since Prince Ferdi
nand of Bulgaria and Grand Duke Mkhailo
witch of Russia were hobnobbing at Varna
though Mkhaovitch would not go to Sophia
and Russian marines were parading with Bull
garian troops whereat the quidnuncs were agog
with eager eyes trained on the spot in which
Balkan war cloud was expected TO materialize
Meantime the Bulgarian agitation in Macedonia
continues beyond the power of Turkey 10 check
IT, while in return the Albanians are raiding
the Bulgarian as well the Servian frontier,
also beyond either the power or the will OF
Turkey to check them. Above ALL il is TO be
observed that Bulgaria is In desperate financial
straits. and that Russia, like disinterested
friend, is lending her money To tide over instant
needs and is prevailing upon France to lend
her many millions. sufficient 20 reOrganize her
whole fiscal system and place her upon II sound
footing though. of course incidentally, under
a mortgage To Russa's ally and under great
moral obligation TO Russia herself for her good
Offices
The qud pro quo for Russa's benevolent in
terest in Bulgaria welfare would be, II Rus
sa's desires were granted. the lease-euphemism
for cessi0n-of one or both of the Bulgarian
Black Sea ports of Bourgas and Varna. which
would make mcommOnly handy Russian sta
tions in the Slavic advance upon Constantinople
and would vastly promote the task Of convert
ing the Black Sea into snug little Russian
lake Prince Ferdinand probably would be glad
10 ohllge the Gar in this matter. But there
are the Bulgarian people to be reckoned with
II is awkward and stupid no doubt. for such
high and mighty potentates To be compelled 10
take the mere people into account, but. never
theless so il is And the bulgarian people
show forth a decided dsinclination to make
themselves any more subject To the Great
White Gar. They may be greatly mistaken
u might he for their good TO be treated rs the
Poles and the Firms and the Germans Of the
Baltic provinces are. But they persist In their
own way, and cling to independence and
measure of liberty. and so Prince Ferdinand
thinks ii perhaps not altogether prudent to give
up their ports TO Russia
The case is further complicated by the fact
that Servia covets Macedonia, too. just as Bull
garia does. wherefore Russia in dangling the
same bait before the eyes Of both of those land
hungry little powers, is performing the not al
WAYS easy trick described as riding two horses
al once. That is all very well when the horses
are content TO jog along smoothly side by side
But when they become fractions the rider must
tllnft Dttdht nltNSeIl 10 Oi' thf oih'i
go. or fall between the two In such case
Austria Hungary might have something TO say
and to do Al present Austria is not in favor
in the Balkans. Servia is angry at her for
keeping Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Bull
garia has turned away from her toward Rus
Sa-a monumental bit of ingrattude, since
Austria backed up Bulgaria in selling Eastern
Roumelia. when Russia frowned upon the job
and sought 10 force the undong Of 1t. Never
theless. In some important matters Austria las
the whip hand over the team, and she contriyes
To keep good terms with Rumania that
Lion in the Great Bears path.