The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
Independence Of Bulgaria From Turkey Is Proclaimed To
 The World
WAR STILL THREATENS
 BUT MAY BE AVERTED
England and France Are United in Efforts To Preserve Peace and Turkey Will Probably SwaI-
 low Pill Peacefully.

London, october 5.-In the ancient eap- ital of Tirnovo the independence of Bul- garia was proclaimed today with the czar of the Bulgarians as a ruler. Czar of the Bulgarians is recognized to mean more than czar of Bulgaria, because it is a distinct intimation that he regards his country as having sovereignty over all the people of that blood in the near east. Within day or two Austria Hungary. which has been working with Prince Ferdinand in this preconeerted plan, will proclaim the new status of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The question which has been stirring the whole of Europe more deeply than any similar question within the memory of the present generation is. does it mean war; From all tho capitals tonight come reports. indicating that it means, first of all. another Eu- ropean congress of the signers of the treaty of Berlin to consider the situa- tion and probably to revise the treaty. Turkey caught in moment of weakness is the victim of this situation, while some international animosities have been stirred up. probably power is willing to make war.
 Reports from the emancipated Turkish press to London indicate that the Young Turks will swallow this bitter pill as best they can and if they do naturally the Bugarians, while willing and eager for war, will have no cause on which to base the beginning of hostilities. From the British standpoint the whole affair has been a surprise because, for A. 4 l felt itself with apparently an understand ing of France and Russia and complete friendship with Italy to be In a position where it dominated European politics, reserving out of this consideration the almost open enmity between itself and Germany.
 Probably never in the history of Eu- rope have politics taken such amazing ly kaleidoscope revolutions as during the past week. An entangling situation will come when the signatories of the Berlin treaty meet to consider what action shall be taken regarding the violations of the treaty. Great Britain tonight served no- tice that it does not recognize the right of any of the parties to this treaty to violate Its provisions without consulting the others, but English diplomats know that the conference will resolve itself into scramble among the powers to get what is termed in European politics. ''compensating advantages which Aus tria, backed by Germany, has already obtained.
 The official statement issued by the British foreign office this evening says:
 His majesty's government cannot ad- init the right of any power to alter l an international treaty without the con |, sent of the other parties to it and It | therefore refuses to sanction any infrac- tion of the Berlin treaty and declines to recognize what has been done until the views of the other powers are known especially those of Turkey. which is more directly concerned than anyone else.
 The chances of war between Bulgaria and Turkey are being minimized by Great Britain and France who are work ing together and who have advised Tur- key against it. Turkey, however, is ap- parently disposed to follow this advice and it is believed that if nasty action on the part of Turkey can be prevented Bulgaria will have difficulty in finding an excuse to begin war.