The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1908-10-09
BULGARIA TO FIGHT.
THINKS time IS RIPE FOR A
BATTLE WITH TURKEY.
Grab Of Territory the Cause-Austria
Reaching out-Provinces of Bosnia
and Herzegovina Annexed, Says En-
peror Josef-May Result in Changes
of the Maps of Eastern Europe.

London, Oct. s. - Events which
threaten to change the political face of
Europe are crystallizing with lightning
like rapidity. Almost overnight the
horizon of the near east, which seemed
gradually assuming a peaceful appear
ance, has become crowded with war
clouds.
News has reached here from several
sources that two definite strokes are
impending which can not fail to bring
matters to a crisis and perhaps force
an immediate war. One is the proela-
nation of Prince Ferdinand of the in
dependence of Bulgaria, which will in
clude Rumelia, taking for himself the
title of ezar. The other is an
ment by Austria Hungary of the prae-
teal annexation of the provinces of
Bosnia and Herzegovina as appanages
OF the Austro-H 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 p~recipitate a war be-
tween Bulgaria and Turkey. Before
these possibilities the quarrel over the
East Rumelian section of the Orient
railway sinks into insignifcanee.
Two Armies Mobilizing.
Both armies are reported to be quietly
and swiftly mobilizing on the borders.
Bulgaria is said to be buying up NUM-
tions and horses on an extensive scale.
The Bulgarians have faith in their
army, which has reached a high state
of efficiency, although it is perhaps
lacking in officers, and the wal for
which Bulgaria has long been suspected
of preparing could be fought with more
advantage for her now thar when the
Turkish government had time to reor'
qanize it's forces, which have become
~envenomed by corruption and neglect
of the old regime.
The emperor of Austria, it is said, has
dispatched a letter to the president of
France, setting forth his intentions re
garding Bosnia and Herzegovina, al
though the contents of the letter are
kept secret, and he is sending similar
notes to the other powers.
1t seems incredible that Emperor
Francis Joseph, who always has been a
scrupulous observer Of forms, should
reveal his plans to the other nations be-
fore he has committed them to his W
parliament. One explanation is that the
letter was not intended for delivery IN
til Tuesday, when identical notes would
be presented TO the other powers.
While Austria s action with regard to
the two provinces may not technically
be called annexation, it is believed it
will amount to that, whatever it may be
called. Apparently the emperor is de
termined that the destiny of these prov
inees shall be Austrian and not Turkish.
Later Report.
London. In the ancient capital of
Tirnovo the independence of Bulgaria
was proclaimed Monday, with the car
of the Bulagrians as a ruler. Gar of
B~ulgarians is recognized to mean more
than car of Bulgaria, because 1t Is a
distinct recognition that he regards his
country as having sovereignty over all
the people of that blood in the east.
Within a day or two Austria Hungary
which has been working with Prince
Ferdinand in this proconcerted plan,
will proclaim the new status Of Bosnia
and Herzegovina.
The question which has been stirring
the whole Of Europe more deeply chan
any similar question in the memory of
the present generation is: Does it mean
WARP From all capitals Tuesday it is
reported that it means, first of all, IN
other European congress of the sigma.
teries of the treaty of Berlin to consid-
or the situation and probably to revise
the treaty. Turkey, caught in a mo-
ment OF weakness, is the victim of this
situation, and while some international
animosities have been stirred up prob
ably nj power is willing to make war.
Reports from the emancipated Turkish
} press to London indicate that tho
Young Turks will swallow this bitter
pill as best they can, and If they do
naturally the Bulgsrians, while will
ing and eager for war, will have no
cause no which to base the beginning
Of hostilities.
From the British standpoint the
whole affair has been a surprise.