Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-10-09
PRINCE FERDINAND DECLARES
INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA
AND RUMELIA.
SEIZURE BY AUSTRIA
ARMIES RUSHING TO THE FIELD
AND OTHER NATIONS MAY
BE INVOLVED.

| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WHICH tnTedleh "
change the political face of Europe are
crystallizing with lightning rapidity.
Almost over night the horizon Of the
near East. which seemed gradually as
suming peaceful appearance, has be-
come crowded witt var clouds.
| News has reached here from several
sources that two definite strokes are
impending which cannot fail to bring
matters to crisis, and perhaps force
an immediate war. One is the procla-
nation of Prince Ferdinand OF the in
dependence OF Bulgaria, which will in
clude Rumelia. taking for himself the
title of "czar." The other is an an
| nouncement by Austria Hungary of the
practical annexation of the provinces
| of Bosnia and Herzegovina as append
ages of the tro-Hungarian crown.
Either action will be equivalent to
the tearing up of the treaty of Berlin,
while Prince Ferdinand's course seems
almost certain to precipitate war be
tween Bulgaria and Turkey. Before
these possibilities the quarrel over the
East Rumelian section of the Orient
railway sinks into insignificance. Both
armies are reported to be quietly and
swiftly mobilizing on the borders. Bull
garia is said to be buying up munitions
and horses on an extensive scale.
The BuIgarians have faith In their
army, which has reached a high state
of efficiency. although 1t is perhaps
lacking In officers, and the war for
which Bulgaria has long been sus.
pected of preparing could be fought
with more advantage for her now than
when the Turkish government had
time to reorganize its forces. which
have become enervated by the corrup-
tion and neglect of the old regime.
The Emperor of Austria, 1t is under
stood. has dispatched a letter to the
President Of France setting forth his
intentions regarding Boznia and Her.
zegovina. although the contents of the
letter are kept secret, and he is send.
ing similar notes to the other powers
1t seems Incredible that Emperor
Francis Joseph, who, always has been
q scrupulous observer OF forms. should
reveal his plans to. the rulers OF other
nations before he has communicated
them to his own parliament. One ex.
PLANTATION is that the letter was not In.
tended for delivery until Tuesday,
when identical notes would be pre-
sented to the other powers.
While Austria's action with regard
to the provinces may not technically
be called annexation. It Is believed It
will amount to that, whatever Il may
be called. Apparently the emperor is
determined that the destiny OF these
provinces should be Austrian not Turk
ish. For thirty years they have been
administered by Austria Hungary. but
they have always remained theoreti.
cally Turkish territory. and Austria
pledged that her administration should
not derogate Turkish rights.
English public opinion is with Tur-
key in the Bulgarian dispute. as all
the powers except Austria seem to be,
and It remains to be seen what the
English attitude will be toward an.
nexation II that becomes a fact.
Austria is suspected of encouraging
the recent Bulgarian Turkish trouble
for her own interests. but the British
government has made proposals to the
two countries looking to the settlement
Of the railway case. and the other pow
ers have agrees to give support to the
plan, which contemplates the tempo
rary restoration OF the railway to Tur-
key ito save her face" and then trans
ferance from tn. company to Bul.
Garian government
The English press expressed sur
prise that Austria and Bulgaria should
plot against Turkey, and asks II the
great powers will submit to having OBJ
stacles placed in the way of the re-
generation of Turkey