The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-07
BuLGAR1A's ATTITUDE.
Minister POprIkOR Gives Statement to
 ARaOciRted Press.

Minister POprIkOR Gives Statement to
 Associated Press.
 M. Poprikoff, the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, has sent cable dispatch to the Associated Press, giV- ing an authoritative explanation of the Bulgarian situation, in reply to cablegram requesting an official state ment of the facts. It is as follows:
 "Tiernovo, Bulgaria. Oct. 6, 1908.
 Pursuant to the treaty of Berlin. Bulgaria has been a principality trib- utary to Turkey. Many years ago Bulgaria acquired the right to have diplomatic representatives accredited to all the great powers. She maintain ed such a representative at ConstantI- nople. Until recently the diplomatic representative of Bulgaria to Turkey was invited with the other members of the diplomatic corps in Constanti- nople to all official ceremonies. recep- tions and dinners.
 "On the 18th of last September. the occasion being the anniversary of the Sultans birthday, the Turkish Minis ter of Foreign Affairs gave dinner to the diplomatic corps, to which the diplomatic representative of Bulgaria was not invited. Steps were at once taken to secure an explanation of this neglect. The Ottoman Government re- piled that the Bulgarian representative
  to this diplomatic dinner as Bulgaria was a vassal 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.
 Conflict Over Railroad.
 The Oriental Railroad Company operates 300 kilometres QS6 miles) of line in Bulgarian territory. The same company operates also about 1000 kilo- meres (621 miles) of line in Turkish 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. national security of Bulgaria was threatened, and the people became discontented with the state of affairs.
 Tt then became the duty of the Bull garian Government to continue running the road, and we asked the company to sell us its rights in Bulgaria in accordance with an agreement reached
  pany ten years ago. Turkey then pre- tended ,that the line was her property and in a note the Turkish Government demanded that the line be returned to the company The Bulgarian Govern ment replied that it would treat only with the company This was the sec ond conflict.
 This situation imposed upon the Bulgarian Government the necessity of fixing definitely the relations be- tween the principality and Turkey. The new regime in Turkey made 1t im- perative for Bulgaria to maintain the best of relations with her neighbors especially as this fictitious condition 1of vassalage created feelings of sus- nicion and distrust which might al any moment result in disturbing the peace of the Balkans.
 "Bulgaria understood clearly that Austria Hungary soon would annex inc occupied provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. and the general situation was such that Bulgaria was obliged without delay, to declare her complete independence.
 "Consequently yesterday, Oct. 5. Bull garia was proclaimed an independent Kingdom, and 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 no aggressive aims. She has given regular form to situation that already existed de faeto.
 we believe that the powers will ap' prove the proclamation of Bulgaria t( De an independent kingdom. This aeI