Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-09-16
BuIgaria's Chances In a War With
Turkey.

The trouble in the Balkans proph-
esied for every year since the end OF
the Russo-Turkish war i quarter of
century ago, is at last at hand unless
all the signs go for nothing. Bulgaria s
note to the powers. issued Monday and
published in The Republican yester-
day, means, apparently. that actual
war between Turkey and Bulgaria can
be postponed but a few days longer,
for the Bulgarian authorities were fully
advised before the note was issued that
none of the great powers will formally
approve in advance a war by the little
principality against the sultan.
Bulgaria has been officially informed
with brutal frankness that she can reap
nothing from Intervention on behalf
OF the Macedonian Christians, but the
world takes it for granted-certainly
the Macedonians and Bulgarians take
it for granted-that Russia and Austria
will both be engaged with Turkey
shortly after the war is on in earnest.
This is a purely speculative feature as
yet, however, and it is interesting
therefore to take note of the chances
which Bulgaria herself will have in
struggle with the Turkish empire. Tie
population of the country was returned
in 1897 at 3,154,375. and it has been esti-
mated that an army of 100000 able
bodied men could be quickly modified.
The aren of Bulgaria is 24.36O miles
about equal to the area of two Of Arizo-
mas leading counties, Maricopa and
Yavapai. The country is mountainous.
and in q defensive war the inhabitants
could make a stand for some time
against the Turks. 1t should be re-
membered in making any estimate of
Bulgaria's military strength that she is
weak financially and could not immedi-
ately place a. large proportion of her
citizens on a military footing. Only q
few days ago Austria intercepted car
fridges to the number of 100000 which
had been bought by Bulgaria. and
formal declaration Of war would prob
ably find Prince Ferdinand unable to
throw at once more than a few thous-
and soldiers into the field, his standing
army being but $4,000 men. Macedonia,
with less than half the population of
Bulgaria. could in a general uprising
throw a good sized army of insurgents
into action-if arms were at hand
But here again poverty is a bar to war
on large scale. Macedonia being An
integral part of the Turkish empire end
with but one-third OF the inhabitants
in sympathy with the Instruction. she
could not hope to do more than hold
a part of the Turkish army in check
by guerilla tactics. Sc that in the main
the brunt of the war would fall upon
Bulgaria.
Opposed to the Bulgarians, the sultan
could mass an overwhelming force.
Already, it is claimed, he has modified
an army of 259, 900 men on the Bulgarian
Turkish empire is estimated at 2,000.-
600 men, in round numbers. Very pos
sibly an efficient army Of 100000 Turks
could be made ready for war within
three months after the beginning of
hostHities.
As to the quality of the Turkish SOL
diers, too much can scarcely be said.
Contrary to general belief, Turkey is
not a weak nation except in finances.
After the brief war with Greece few
years ago, the emperor of Germany
pronounced the Turkish soldiers the
finest in Europe. Making due allowance
for his desire to please the sultan by
such a remark, the fact remains that
there is no better judge of soldiers liv-
ing than Emperor William. Viewed
conserva lively. therefore, it is difficult
to see but one result of war between
Bulgaria and Turkey-the Turk would
quickly triumph, although he would
have a more serious contest than he
had with Greece over Crete.
But the very certainty of a Turkish
triumph assures the Intervention OF the
powers The slaughter of Macedonian
peasants has already been on such a.
frightful scale that the world. while
trying to make discounts for exag-
gerations, has failed to realize the hcr-
ror. But the atrocities already COM
United are merely the prologue of what
will happen If the helpless peasants of
bulgaria and Macedonia are left to the
mercy of the sultan's soldiers after a
war with Bulgaria, and the Christian
nations of Europe will not tolerate such
a spectacle Nothing seems more prob
able at this writing than a war between
Turkey and Bulgaria, and following
that the absorption of all the Balkan
states by Russia. Austria and Italy and
the permanent retirement of the Turk
from Europe. Whether to accomplish
this will call for a war between Russia
and Turkey remains to be seen.