The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-15

ny Ia MARC USE DE FoNrENoN.
RON st. Petersburg, where Ferdi-
nand OF Bulgaria has been stay.
ing with his consqri on rls.s
to the court Of Russia. comes
news Of an authoritative character TO
the erect that he has definitely de-
sided TO desert the Roman Catnoilc
Church for what Is known as the VI
Church. The Queen. who Is Luther-
an, is also TO Join the Orthodox kite;
and the younger son OF Ferdinand anu
his two daughters BY his hrsf mar
riage. who had 8rcmained Catno e.l. are
likewise to become converts. The Em-
peror OF Russia, with the two EN-
presses, are to act as sponAors-oy
proxy, OF counselor the King ana
Queen OF Bulgaria. and for the ro roy. a
children, at the ceremony Of their In, Az g,
mission to the Greek Church. whicn
Is the national church. not only OF
Greece. but also OF Russia. Roumanla,
Servia. Montenegro and bulgaria.
There are three reasons which nave
impeiIed Ferdinand to take this step.
cannot be crowned King of Bulgaria
as long as he continues Roman Cain,
Ole, and until he is crowned he VIII ~
subjects as their ano!nted King. VINO IS
ont led TO their allegiance not merely
by political considerations, but also pS
their religion. The only church .ha =
/ ~ IL
crown Ferdinand Is the national church
Of Bulgaria. Now the rite OF corona
ton in the Creek or bulgarian Churcn
comprises as its most indispensab!e ana
Important feature the conservation OF
the monarch. through his anointment
with the holy oils. These. however. can
not be administered TO any sovereign
who is not q member OF the OrthoaoS
the coronation has been SO long de-
layed and that the crown, the sceptre.
THE orb, the sword and the mantic
|of state. which Ferdinand purchased
a number OF years ago, IN view "a "a
away in their cases at Sofia unused.
There is no doubt that Ferdinand u
prompted in taking this step. by t tlie
knowledge that 1t viii strengthen MS
own hold and that Of his children upon q
the Bulgarian people. among whom the
question OF creed exercises far more
weighty influence than II, the case OF
Western nations. II. indeed. ferai-
ma MIA, in spite of all they have done
for the countries of their adoption. are
still regarded as foreigners by tnele
subjects. 1t is almost entirely que g
remained Catholics Instead OF Joining
| the church OF their people. e5
Then. too, Ferdinand knows that BY
Joining the Greek Church he WI! &c.
mnent Still more strongly his friendship
Gear, who has within the last three
weeks made him a present OF several
cruisers. now at Sebastopol, which are
form the nucleus o. thG new sn1st
espouse the cause Of Russia IN any
European war in which the Muscoyit &
Umpire may become involved. the Eit,
OF these warships ~, the Iznp Is ha
first sight. since the cruisers VIII VII.
tuall remain at the service OF Russia
lin the event Of conflict, al though Bul'
garia will bear the COST q u MAJ s y
! tenancc. XIII. III
Violated His Vows.
Idinand OF the Roman Catholic Church
and his formation Of bulgarian navy
with the assistance OF the Gear means
4 that he has n oWI com plete tnToW1
his lot with Russia, an1 has : pc Pc
Of Balkan States, formed under III ~
auspices OF Emperor Nlcholas. ~
balkan lcagu e isi aimed !. AEalnsI AUS
.|tria, and that Ferdinand@ shoulu nay
4 ment from that court OF ivl anna y
a which he belonged until, atf8the az Il;
of twenty-se 20 w as q 70 ~ ~
throne OF BULGARIA. lourlng f " a,s
4 tria was to all intents and 8tnurpose:
his only friend and s'lpport;;, ! 7, faGt
4 Without her support his position WOW
nave 1peen &lmpO4Slple, "a uW11ls ~ NJ ~
i bitter! enmity5 Of the late Gar VINO Q
\ solutely refused to acknowledEe hin
as ruler OF Bulgaria. After AleXan
I der's death. Ferdinand managed TO pla
cate his successor and 70 :, eo :, !sana1,
4 milton at st, Petersburg by cow rt1ni
4 his eldest boy. then a child Of tWo
n from the Roman Catholic to the Ortho
HAS to become the little fellows god
.Ifather. This gave great offense. no
4 only at the Vatican, where Ferdinan
was thenceforth barred from the,sa
\ ramentsbut also a the cnMrtSof Wien
y IA, llnp Francis ] osephy being mar
II iticuIarlyS malignant that Terdinan
II should have VIOLATED his SOLEMN
gasmaade 1, she t19ns of st'rs
\ the Roman Catholic Church, SVVi It'll til
4 utmost a ift1culty, and not unit severa
n years ss az forwards, did erdinand'