The state herald., 1908-10-09
PRINCE FERDINAND DECLARES
INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA
AND RUMELlA.
SEIZURE BY AUSTRIA
ARMIES RUSHING TO THE FIELD
AND OTHER NATIONS MAY
BE INVOLVED.

London.-Events which threaten to
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 n peaceful appearance, has be-
come crowded with 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 eAustro-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. Bul.
garia is said to be buying up munitions
and horses on an extensive scale.
The Bulgarians 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, II 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
n 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. II Is believed II
VIII amount to that, whatever II 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. ms all
the powers except Austria seem TO be.
and II remains TO be seen what the
English attitude will be toward an
nexation II that becomes fact.
Austria Is suspected OF encouraging
the recent Bulgariah.Turlkish 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.
era have agreed TO give support TO the
plan. which contomnlatcs the tempo.
rary restoration Of the railway to Tur.
hey TO save her face" and then trans.
fcranco from ,h- company TO hui.
rarian government.
The English press expressed sur,
prise that Austria and Bulgaria should
plo, asains, Turkey. and asks II the
great powers viii submit To having oh.
s,aclos placed In the way OF the re,
generation OF Turkey.