The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-07
New Series-VOl. XVIII. NoA,S
BULGARIA DEF|ES TURKEY,
PRINCE FERDINAND DECT,AREc
HIS INDEPENDENCE
Balkan State ..fter Years of Waiting
Now Ready to Fight Turkey-Aus.
tria Also Takes q HAND in the Raj.
kan observation-disclosures War An.
pretended.

| London, Oct. 4.-Events which
threaten to change the political face
of Europe are crystalizing with light.
ming rapidity. Almost over night the
horizon Of the Near East, which seem.
ed gradually to be assuming a peace.
1uI appearance. has become crowded
with war clouds.
! News has reached here from sew
eral sources that two definite strokes
are impending which cannot fail to
bring matters to a crisis and perhaps
rorce an immediate war. One IL the
/ proclamation by Prince Ferdinand If
the independence Of Bulgaria. which
VIII include Roumelia, taking for him.
self the title of "czar" The other is
an announcement Of Austria Hungary
OF the practical annexation OF the
provinces OF Bosnia and Herzegovina
as appanages o fthe eAustro-Hungarian
crown.
Each action will be equivalent to
the tearing up Of the treaty of Ber-
lin, while Prince Ferdinand's course
seems almost certain to precipitate a
war between Bulgaria and Turkey
Before these possibilities, the quarrel
over the East Roumelian section OF
the Orient railway sinks into insignifi-
cance Both armies are reported to
be quietly and swiftly mobilizing near
the borders. Bulgaria 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
or efficiency, although it is perhaps
lacking in officers, and the war, for
which Bulgaria has long been sus.
pected OF preparing, could be fought
with more advantage tor her now
than when the Turkish government
had time to reorganize it's forces,
which have become enervated by the
corruption and neglect of the old
regime.
The emperor of Austria, it is un-
derstood, has dispatched a letter 10
the president Of France setting forth
his Intentions Regarding Bosnia and
| herzegovina, although the contents
or the letter are kept secret, and he
Is sending similar notes to other DOW
| ers.
1t seems incredible that Emperor
FRANCIS Joseph. who always has been
scrupulous observer Of forms. should
reveal his plans to the rulers Of other
nations before he has communicated
them to his own parliament One
explanation is that the letter was
not intended for delivery until Tues
day. when an identical note would be
presented to the other powers.
While Austrias action with repard
20 the two provinces may not tech
nically be called annexation. II is said
1t will amount to that, whatever Il
may be called. Apparently the en-
peror is determined that the destinv
or these provinces shall be Austrian.
not Turkish. For 80 years thew have
been administered by Austria Hun
gary, but they have always remained
theoretically Turkish territory and
Austria pledged that her administra-
tlon should not derogate Turkish
| rights.
| English public opinion is with Tur-
Key in the Bulgarian dispute, as all
the powers except Austria seem to
be, and it remains to be seen what
the English attitude will be toward
annexation if that becomes a fact.
Austria is suspected Of encouraging
the recent Turkish trouble
for her own interests, but the British
government has made proposals to
the two countries looking to the set
| tlement Of the railway case under
which the other powers have agreed
to give support to the plan which con-
templates the temporary restoration
OF the railway to Turkey Ito save her
| face" and then transference of the
company to the Bulgarian govern
| ment.
The English press expresses sur
prise that Austria and Bulgaria should
plot against Turkey and ask II the
great powers will submit to having OBJ
| stacles placed in the way Of the re-
| " % T,,r