New-York tribune., 1901-09-03
PRINCE FERDINAND'S AMBITION

The passing of last Tuesday, August 81. with
out any untOward incident at Sophia was re-
garded with much relief in more than one Eu-
rOpean Chancellery. That day was August H.
old style, and was therefore the fourteenth an
niversary Of the accession Of Prince Ferdinand
TO the throne of Bulgaria. There had been
hints that the Prince would at that time crafty
his long cherished ambition by assuming the
title of king. These hints were doubtless put
forth from the palace at Sophia as "feelers."
The Prince wanted to know how such step
would be regarded by Bulgaria. and. more espe
cialy by other governments. He was doubtless
fully assured that il would not be we'll regarded
and he was thus restrained from committing
the coup d'etat; which on the whole. was we'll
The BulgariGns would be pleased at such a
change of their sOvereign's title. That does not
mean that Ferdinand would be more popular
or less unpopular King than he is as Prince.
1t does not appear that anything could effect
such a revolution. But thu Bulgarians would
be better pleased with themselves as subjects
of king than of a prince and would prob
ably become correspondingly more ambitious
and aggressive in their designs upon Macedonia
ami other parts. What is Of much more i'm
portance. however. is the feeling Of other pow
ers. and this may bc said 10 be emphatically
and irTevcrsihly against Tho Princes plan. Rus
sia. whose subservlent protege Ferdinand has
long been. is vigorously opposed 10 Il. for the
reason that II will he much easier FOR her. one
OF these days. 10 bowl ont mere prince Hui
, make his principaity Russian province. than
1t would Toe 10 deal thus with n fully hedged
king. Turkey. whose wishes still count for
something is likewise opposed 10 the change OF
style. because il would practically remove Bui-
gura from It's present state Of vassalage To the
Sultan and make II independent Austria Hun
gary is opposed 10 it-and Turkey. Greece. Ser
via and Montenegro are for the same reason
because the prestige of being kingdom would
greatly increase Bulga Ran Influence i'm Mace
donia and Albania.
II is therefore 10 tho general relief that Prince
Ferdinand has AT least postponed the step he
has so long and so much desired 10 take. And
each postponement makes the taking Of the
step AT any time the less likely. What seems
probable is that he will one of these days re-
nOunce or abdicate his throne in favor Of his
son. at the same time taking pains to have that
son proclaimed not prince, but king As Boris
is a minor. Ferdinand would really remain In
power regent. II is thought at Sophia that
such an arrangement would he less objection
able 10 the powers than Ferdinands assump-
tiOn OF the kingly title for himself would be;
especially since Boris is a member OF the Ortho-
dOx Church while Ferdinand is n hereto OF
course. regent during his sons minority
! Ferdinand would have the powers Of a king.
and would even enjoy some advantages over
actual kingshp The anniversary Of Borlss
| BIRTH which is January 1S, old style or Janu-
ary 81 according 70 our calendar. will therefore
! he looked forward to with apprehension as the
| more probable date Of such coup d'etat