The San Francisco call., 1908-10-07
STAND IS EXPLAINED
Foreign Minister Tells Why
independence Was Declared

LONDON. oct. en-. Poprikoff. the
Bulgarian minister Of foreign affairs.
has sent cable dispatch TO the Asso-
eiated Press giving an authoritative
explanation Of the Bulgarian situation,
Wllcn is now absorbing the attention
eI Europe and the world at large. The
olspatch IS IN reply TO a cablegram re-
Questing NJ Poprikoff to send an Of
nclal statement Of the facts. His an
sWer. dated today at the ancient cap
llal OF Bulgaria. follows:
TIRNONO, Bulgaria, Oct 6.-Pur-
suanI 10 the treaty of Berlin, Bulgaria
mas been a principality tributary to
Turkey. Many years ago Bulgaria ac-
guired the right 10 have diplomatic
/ lepresentatlVes accredited to all the
= -at powers. She maintained such a
preventative at COnstantinople. Until
recently the diplomatic representative
or Bulgaria 10 Turkey was invited with
the Otner members of the diplomatic
corps IN Constantinople, TO all official
ceremonies, receptions and dinners.
on the 18th of last September, the oc-
caSlOn being the anniversary of the
SultanS birthday, the Turkish minister
q foreign affairs gave a dinner TO the
diplomatic corps, TO which the diplo-
matte representative of Bulgaria was
not invited Steps We're at once taken
70 secure an explanation of this neglect.
Tie turkish government replied that
The Bulgarian representative had no
night 20 expect an invitation to this
diplomatic dinner, as Bulgaria was a
J
There then followed a diplomatic
conflict between Bulgaria and Turkey.
Bulgaria considered that Turkey was
not respecting the rights acquired by
her. and she desired 10 defend these
rights. This was the first incident.
The oriental railway company op-
crates goo kilometers llS6 miles) of
line IN Bulgarian territory. The same
company operates also about 1000 kilo-
meters l62l miles) of line in Turkish
territory. A recent strike on the prop
TlT-fe1 r- 17r,gar
In Turkey spread AT the same time to
Bulgarlan territory. This strike was
decided upon and directed from out
side Of Bulgaria Following an under
standing with the represen tatiVe of the
Oriental railroad company the Bulgar-
ian government took over temporarily
tne running OF the road. The strike.
however, spread until the national Sc
curity OF Bulgaria was threatened and
the people became discOntented with
the state Of affairs.
1t then became the duty of the Bull
garian government 10 continue running
the road and we asked the company TO
sell us its rights in Bulgaria, in ac-
corcance with an understanding
reached between. the government and
khe company ten years ago. Turkey
= el pretended that the line was her
pro perty and in a note the Bulgarian
government demanded that the line be
returned 10 the company. The Bull
garian government replied that il would
treat only with the company. This was
the second conflict.
This situation imposed upon the Bull
garian government the necessity Of
mxing definitely the relations between
the principality and Turkey The new
regime in Turkey made il Imperative
for Bulgaria TO maintain the best of
relations with her neighbors, especially
as this fictitious condition Of vassalage
created feelings of suspicion and dis
trust which might at any moment re-
suit in disturbing the peace of the
Balkans.
Bulgaria understood clearly that
Austria-Hungary soon would annex the
occupied provinces Of Bosnia and Her
zegOVfna, and the general situation was
such that Bulgaria was obliged without
delay TO declare her complete independ-
ence.
Consequently yesterday, October 8,
Bulgaria was proclaimed an inde-
pendent kingdom and Prince Ferdinand
accepted the title Of King Of Bulgaria
great powers, declaring that Bulgaria
was Independent.
Bulgaria has taken no aggressive ac-
ton. She has given regular form TO a
situation that already existed de facto.
We believe that the powers will ap-
prove the proclamation OF Bulgaria TO
be an Independent kingdom. This act
need in no way trouble the peace of
Europe or the Balkans The powers
who desire peace in Europe. and par
Ticularly those who desire the main
tenance of the new regime in Turkey,
will be the more convinced of the truth
OF what / say as soon as they are salts
fed that il is Bulgaria's purpose by
this act to aid in the strengthening of
this regime POPRIKOFF,
Minister OF Foreign Affairs.