The Mena weekly star., 1908-10-15
ROW IN BULGARIA
AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION OF THE BULGARIAN SITUATION
 BY FOREIGN MINISTER.
WHO GIVES CAUSES FOR TIE REBELLION
Turkey Charged With Not Respecting the Rights of Bulgaria Under the Berlin Treaty-The Row Started When Turkey Failed to Invite 8 Minister 10 State Dinner.

When Turkey Failed to Invite 8
 Minister 10 State Dinner.
 M Poprikoff, the Bulgarian minister of foreign affairs, has sent cable dispatch to the Associated press glv- ing an authoritative explanation of the Bulgarian situation. which is now ab- sorbing the attention of Europe and the world at large. The dispatch is in reply to cablegram requesting M. Poprikoff to send an official statement of the facts His answer, dated Tues day at the ancient capital of Bulgaria, is as follows
 "Tlrnovo, Bulgaria, Oct. S.-Pur- suant to the treaty of Berlin, Bull garia has been principality, tribu- tary to Turkey. Many years ago Bull gara acquired the right to have diplo- matte representatives accredited to all the great powers. She maintained such a representative at Constantl- nopIe Until recently the diplomatic representative of Bulgaria to Turkey was invited, with the other members of the diplomatic corps in Constantl- nople to all official ceremonies, recep- tions and dinners. On the twelfth ot last September. the occasion being the anniversary of the sultan's birth day, the Turkish minister of foreign affairs gave dinner to the diplomatic corps to which the diplomatic repre- sentative of Bulgaria was not invited. Steps were at once taken to secure an explanation of this neglect. The otto. man government replied that the Bull garian representative had no right to expect an invitation to this diplomatic dinner. as Bulgaria was yassal state of Turkey.
 There then followed diplomatic conflict between Bulgaria and Turkey Bulgaria considered that Turkey was not respecting the rights acquired by her and she desired to defend these rights. This was the first incident
 The oriental Railway company operates 300 kilometers (lSo miles) of line in Bulgarian territory. The same company operates also about 1,0Oo kilometers (62i miles) of line in Turk ish territory. A recent strike on the property of the Oriental Railroad com pany in Turkey spread at the same time to Bulgarian territory. This strike was decided upon and directed from outside of Bulgaria. Following an understanding with the representa- tive of the Oriental Railroad company the Bulgarian government took over temporarily the running of the road. The strike, however. spread until the national security of Bulgaria was threatened, and the people became dis contented with the state of affairs.
 The situation imposed upon the Bulgarian government the necessity of fixing definitely the relations between the principality and Turkey. The new regime in Turkey made it imperative for Bulgaria to maintain the best Of relations with her neighbors, especial l ly as this fictitious condition of vas salage created feelings of suspicion and distrust which might at any mo- ment result in disturbing the peace of the Balkans.
 Bulgaria understood clearly that Austria. Hungary soon would annex the occupied provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the general situation was such that Bulgaria was obliged without delay, to declare her complete independence.
 Consequently, Tuesday, october 6, Bulgaria was proclaimed an indepen- dent kingdom Prince Ferdinand ac' cepted the title of king of Bulgaria. This act was communicated to all the great powers by proclamations declar- ing that Bulgaria was independent.
 Bulgaria has made no aggressive acts. She has given regular form to a situation that already existed de facto."