The Washington herald., 1912-11-22

|
made, perhaps he turned again 20 the
familiar page on which these lines stand
1 out and cast his mind back over the
| twenty-five years which have sped since
he quoted them to his friend. In that
| time he has made nation and himself
| name; work which not even a false
throw at this time could undo wholly.
Europe in 1857 heard OF Bulgaria s
| choice Of ruler at first with amusement
and then with astonishment. Prince
Ferdinand, as 1 had occasion to narfAte
before. went to his work with no good
wishes from the great powers-Quite the
| reverse. The Austrian Foreign once
gave him to understand that he accepted
the position Of ruler OF Bulgaria at his
own risk, and that he would receive no
encouragement or backing from Europe S
leading nations. But he knew himself
and trusted in his star. II the choice
were hazard. good fortune presided over
it: II II were well thought out and de-
liberate, then the Bulgarians knew how
to choose a man. which at a critical
juncture is the supreme wisdom in ma
tions. =
Ferdinand is a Coburger. His mother
was the youngest daughter Of Louis Phil
lippe. Descent should have given him
much. II he were asked to-day how it
is that he has succeeded, he would say:
BY my mothers teachings" Princess
Clementine was a remarkable woman.
Even now. throughout the length and
breadth Of the country, she is "Bulgaria's s
mother" She instiIled in him a deep love
for history: she made him philosopher
in the highest sense. She taught him TO
be observed. And 1t was wise French
man who said that the faculty of OBJ
servatiOn is nearly the whole Of human
genius. When her son went TO Bulgaria
she went also. Hers was a difficult po-
sition, but she won the nations heart.
Her salon WAS no cabinet of intrigue.
but a sanCtum in which the spirit Of
Bulgarian nationality was stimulated and
in which many a patriotic movement saw
its rise.
1t was no secure throne to which Ferdi-
nand succeeded. Often il shook: more
than once II appeared to totter to its
fall. There was nothing like order and
content in the land The Berlin Congress
had only given II a half loaf Of free
dom. The Turkish Governor had been
driven out Of Eastern Rumelia. The sue
cessful war against Servia did not great
In 1886 agreed that Eastern Rumelia
should be added to Bulgaria. his position
was one Of extraordinary difficulty. The
Perte was far from being friendly: Rus
sia was threatening; the powers gave
no word OF encouragement to the strug
Cling nation: domestic politics. were in an
almost hopeless condition: the people
were losing faith that their unity ever
could be accomplished. How serious the
position had become on the eve of the
beginning of Prince Ferdinand's rule was
shown by the sudden rising OF pro-Rus-
slams which drove his predecessor.
Prince Alexander OF Battenberg. from
the country.
Such was the state of affairs when
Prince Ferdinand. at the call Of the
Sobranje. left Vienna FOR Tirnovo to
take the oath as ruler of the Bulgarisns.
The thorn was indeed in the couch to
which he was called. and a more diff
cult task scarcely ever before faced a
ruler; but he acted wisely from the open
ing of his reign. He began by studying
his people thoroughly by obtaining their
point of view. He was not going to rule
a people whom he did not understand.
At first he took but little active part 4
politics. He allowed parties to develop
slowly in their own way.
His first desire was to be ruler of Bull !
garia. TO work for BuIgaria's good. Be-
yond that ne had no ambitions. Gradu- |
ally the influence OF his strong person
ality was felt in the work of eliminating
everything which might give the powers
the pretext to interfere. Peace brought |
the inevitable results. Party politics be-
came more ordered. prosperity increased. |
gradually became strong and |
hopeful. The development of the coun- |
try went forward with surprising rapid |
ity.
Ferdinand. however, was no figure |
head. When occasion demanded he could |
grasp the rudder Of, state with a firm
hand. One of the most striking OF his !
actions was that duplicating OF Emperor |
move when he dropped his |
pilot" Under Stambuloff. Bulgaria's Bis |
marck. that country began to attract the |
notice of Europe by his progressive and
fearless policy. But Prince Ferdinand
saw dangers ahead II his energetic min
ster were allowed to go on. Stambuloff
was a man of strong sympathies and vio-
ent antipathies. His party dwIndled and |
opposition grew. And the stronger his
opponents became the vainer. the keener
ne grew; the more quickly sensitive to |
opposition, more determined than ever
10 pursue his snti-Russian policy.
Prince Ferdinand in 1894 dropped his
,Ilot," and no one was more surprised
han the pilot" himself Europe, which,
Is the prince himself said on one occa-
Iion, knows far too little OF Bulgaria
Predicted riot and rebellion. but the ruler
llready was sure of his people. Where
in his arrogance and vanity
lad been blind. Ferdinand saw clearly.
The people desired friendship with Rus
ia. Stambuloffs fall brought it about.
there can be no doubt that Ferdinand
Icted wisely, for to stand in the good
races of st. Petersburg has done much
Il late years to strengthen his country's
,osition in the near East.
Two great reforms which Ferdinand, by
his time Gear" of the Bulgars, has in
pired directly are those Of the financial
nd military systems OF the country. The
rst was really faced in 1899. and in the
Glowing year he cut in twain his own
ivil list. a clear indication. if one were
eeded, of the personal interest which he
ook' IN this particular reform.
As to the army, though just before he
ecame ruler it had come victorious
trough the war with Servia, it was of
different material badly organized, and
DO small. A conscript force, 1t consisted
{ twelve infantry, three cavalry, and
1ree artillery regiments, with a squad
on of guards and a battery Of siege and
artillery. For infantry. the