Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-10-10
BULGARIA TO FIGHT
THINKS time is RIPE FOR A
BATTLE WITH TURKEY.
Grab of Territory the Cause-Austria
Reaching Out-Provinces of Bosnia
and Herzegovina Annexed, Says EN-
peror Josef-May Result in Changes
of the Maps of Eastern Europe.

London, Oct. 5. - Events which
threaten to change the political face of
Europe are crystallizing with lightning
like rapidity. Almost overnight the
horizon of the near east, which seemed
gradually assuming a peaceful appear
ance, has become crowded with war
Clouds
News has reached here from several
sources that two definite strokes are
impending which can not fail to bring
matters to a 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 ear. The other is an announce
mont by Austria-Hungary of the prac-
teal annexation of the provinces of
Bosnia and Herzegovina as appanages
OF the Austro- 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 insignifcance.
Two Armies Mobilzing.
Both armies are reported to be quietly
and swiftly mobilizing on the borders.
Bulgaria is said to be buying up NUM-
tions and horses on an extensive scale.
The Bulgarians have faith in their
army, which has reached a high state
of efficiency, although it is perhaps
lacking in officers, and the war for
which Bulgaria has long been suspected
of preparing could be fought with more
advantage for her now than when the
Turkish government had time to reor-
ganize it's forces, which have become
envenomed by corruption and neglect
of the old regime.
The emperor of Austria, it is said, has
dispatched letter to the president of
France, setting forth his intentions re-
garding Bosnia and Herzegovina, al
though the contents of the letter are
kept secret, and he is sending similar
notes to the other powers.
1t seems incredible that Emperor
Francis Joseph, who always has been a
scrupulous observer of forms, should
reveal his plans to the other nations be-
fore he has committed them to his own
parliament. One explanation is that the
e.. 4
til Tuesday, when identical notes would
be presented to the other powers.
While Austria s action with regard to
the two provinces may not technically
be called annexation, it is believed il
will amount to that, whatever it may be
called. Apparently the emperor is de
termined that the destiny of these prov
inces shall be Austrian and not Turkish
Later Report.
London. In the ancient capital OF
Tirnovo the independence of Bulgaris
was proclaimed Monday, with the czar
of the Bulagrians as ruler. Car OF
Bulgarians is recognized to mean more
than czar of Bulgaria, because it is 8
! T6COSUltlOu budt NC IcS LII
} country as having sovereignty over al
the people of that blood in the east
Within day or two A ustria- Hungary
which has been working with Prince
Ferdinand in this proconcerted plan
will proclaim the new status of Bosnis
and Herzegovina.
The question which has been stirring
the whole of Europe more deeply thar
any similar question in the memory o
the present generation is: Does it meal
war? From all capitals Tuesday it i
reported that it means, first of all, an
other European congress of the sigma
T. teries of the treaty of Berlin to consid
I er the situation and probably to revis
r the treaty. Turkey, caught in mo
Q ment of weakness, is the victim of thi
situation, and while some internationa
animosities have been stirred up prob
i ably no power is willing to make war
Reports from the emancipated Turks
+ nress to London indicate that th
r Y ung Turks will swallow this bite
l. pill as best they can, and if they
n naturally the Bulgarians, while will
It ing and eager for war, will have u
t cause no which to base the, beginnin
/ of hostilities.
From the British standpoint til
- whole affair has been a surprise.