The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-10-06
BULGARIA ALWAYS
A MENACE To THE
PEACE OF EUROPE
Since Its Foundation in 1873
State Has Kept Powers
on Edge.

Since the creation of the principally
of Bulgaria on July 10. 1878. under the
suzeranity of Turkey. the Balkan state
has been a continual menace to the
peace of Europe. In 1903 "a war with
Turkey was narrowly averted.
Prince Ferdinand has long wanted to
proclaim the independence of Bulgaria,
with himself as king. He, made a tour
of Europe in 1905 and consulted the
various governments with this end In
view, but he was everywhere dis
Outraged.
Both Bulgaria and Eastern Roumelia
are under the direct rule OF Prince
Ferdinand. By the treaty of Berlin II
was provided hat Eastern Roumeha
should remain under the political
military authority of h Sultan. On
September Is, 1886, the government was
overthrow by a revolution ana the
union of the province with Bulgaria
was proclaimed. In 1885 it was agreed
that the government of the province
should be confided to the Prince OF bull
garia, and now, for all practical pur-
poses, it forms a part of the pr1ncl-
pality.
The national faith of Bulgaria is hat
of the Orthodox Greek Church, al
though in 1870 the Bulgarian Church
was declared to be outside the Ortho-
dox communion.
Wa Clouds of o
War clouds gathered over Bulgaria in
1903. when a breach between the princl-
pality and Turkey became so serious
that 1t was with great difficulty that
an outbreak was prevented, the Bull
garians' indignation and horror at the
Macedonian atrocities being extremely
difficult to control.
The recent friction arose concerning
an agreement with Austria-Hungary
regarding the Oriental railway. Talk
of war with Bulgaria was had at a
meeting of the Sultan's cabinet on Sep
tember % last, and on the following
day Bulgaria defied the Balkan powers
on the dispute over restoring the rail-
road.
VIII Divide Powers.
The real gravity of h Bulgarian sit
uation lies in the fact that it, like the
Moroccan situation, Is one of the issues
which divides the great powers OF
Europe in the gradual reforming of
their international ~alignments. In the
present instance the interests of Russia,
France and Great Britain are largely
in common against those of Germany
n Austria, with Italy occupying a
middle ground. Russia has a most
vital interest in Bulgaria owing to
racial conditions. geographical prox-
unity and Black Sea prestige, but Rus
STA has not been entirely free to act
with Germany, having adverse inter-
ests on her Baltic frontier. This a
left France and Great Britain to play
the chief part In Bulgarian readjust-
ment, with Russia a silent but deeply
interested spectator and ally; 3
The Provinces of Bosnia and Herzer
govina also are a product of h Berlin
treaty of 1878. Previously they be-
longed to Turkey and are still nomi-
naliy part Of the Ottomans Empire, but
for the last thirty years they have been
under the administration of Austria
Hungary and the rule of Emperor
Francis Joseph has brought progress
and prosperity. to his wards. The treaty
of Berlin and subsequent agreement
with Russia gave Austria Hungary a
mandate for the indefinite, occupation
Of the provinces, but did give her 8
right to institute a specific form Of gov
eminent. Following the successful
movement in Turkey proper for a con-
stitutional government, the Slavs in
Bosnia and Herzegovina began agita-
ting for an autonomous government,
and this doubtless led Austria Hungary
to take steps to define the status Of
the provinces.