Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-07

NJ Poprikoff. the Bulgarian minister
of foreign affairs, mas sent a cable dis
patch to The Associated Press giving
an authoritative explanation of the
Bulgarian situation which is now alb
sorbng the attention of Europe and
the world at large. The dispatch is in
reply to a cablegram requesting M.
Poprckff to send an official statement
of the facts. His answer dated today
at the ancient capital of Bulgaria, is
as follows:
"Tirnovo, Bulgaria, Oct. 6.
pursuant to the treaty of Berlin.
Bulgaria has been principality. trib-
utary to Turkey Many years ago Bull
garia acquired the right to have dip
lomatic representatives accredited to
ali the great powers. She maintained
such a representative at Constantine
pie Until recently the diplomatic rep
rcsentative of Bulgaria to Turkey was
invited, with the other members of the
diplomatic corps in COnStantinople to
all official ceremonies, receptions and
dinners. On the 18th of last September
the occasion being the anniversary of
the Sultan's birthday, the Turkish min
lister of foreign affairs, gave dinner
to the diplomatic corps. to which the
diplomatic representative of Bulgaria
was not invited. Steps We're at once
taken to secure an explanation Of this
neglect. The ottoman government re-
piled that the Bulgarian representative
had no right to expect an invitation to
this diplomatic dinner. as Bulgaria
was d vaSSal state of Turkey.
Co. 1i,,ln 1 N
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.
'"rhe Oriental Railroad Co. operates 300
kilomctelS (l2i niles of line in Bulgarian
territory. The same company operates
also about 1900 kometers 1921 miles,. Of
line in Turkish territory. A recent strike
on the property of the Oriental Railroad
Co. in Turkey spread at the same time
to Bulgarian territory. The strike was
decided upon and directed from outside
of Bulgaria. Following an understanding
with the representatives OF the Oriental
Railroad Co., the Bulgarian government
took over temporarily the running of the
road. The strike, however. spread until
the national security of Bulgaria was
threatened and the people became discon-
tented with the state of affairs.
1T then became the duty of the Bulga
rian government to continue running the
road and we asked the company to sell
us its rights in Bulgaria, in accordance
with an understanding reached between
the government and the company 20 years
fbap rrataOIa1 that no line
was her property, and in a note the Turk
ish government demanded that the line
be returned to the company. The Bulsa-
rian government replied that it would
treat only with the company This was
the second conflict.
This situation imposed upon the Bull
garian government the necessity of fixing
definitely the relations between the prin
cipality and Turkey. The new regime in
Turkey made it imperative for Bulgaria
to maintain the best of relations with her
neighbors, especially as this fictitious con
dition of vassalage created feelings of sus-
picion and distrust which might at any
moment result in disturbing the peace OF
the Balkans.
Bulgaria understood clearly that Aus
tria-Hungary soon would annex the oc-
cupled provinces of Bosnia and HerZesov-
mia, and the general situation was such
that Bulgaria was obliged without delay
to declare her complete Independence.
consequently yesterday, Oct. $, Ru!ga-
ria was proclaimed an Independent king
dom and Prince Ferdinand accepted the
title of King of Bulgaria. This act was
communicated to all the great powers by
procamations declaring that Bulgaria
was independent. Bulgaria has no agrees
sive aims. She has given regular form To
a situation that already existed de facto
I've believe that the powers will APP
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 particularly those
who desire the maintenance of the new
regime in Turkey. will be the more con
WINGED of the truth of what | say as soon
as they are satisfied that it is Bulgaria 8
purpose by this act to aid in the strength
ening of this regime.