Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-03-21
GOVERNMENT OF BULGARIA
Wonderful Progress That Has Been
Made Under Gar Ferdinand.

Wonderful Progress That Has Been
Made Under czar Ferdinand.
Since last October, when the quick
mobilization and successful advance of
the Balkan armies against their COM
mon enemy, Turkey, astonished the
world, there has everywhere been
surprise over the remarkable progress
made in the past few years by Bulga-
ria, the plucky leader and brains Of
the four-state federation. Even to cit
liens Of the United States, where po-
litical development has been rapid, the
radical change In single generation,
from Turkish serfdom to practically
one of the most progressive and pure
ly democratic governments known to
history, is bewildering. But back Of
this free government is the! liberty
loving and ustice-demanding spirit Of
the great majority Of the FIVE million
people, most unlooked-for In its high
ideals and broad principles, after FIVE
centuries Of the most cruel and de-
rapacious Turks. s
It Is one Of the marvels Of our time,
that in practically thirty years those
who formerly knew no form Of free
dom, should plan and make possible,
universal made suffrage, splendidly
equipped popular education, for both
boys and girls; one Of the best penal
systems extant, with probation for first
offenders. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
parole provisions; and quite unusual
social legislation" Laws coming
under this latter division, include
government insurance against accident
and sickness for all those employed
on public works; similar compulso-
ry insurance for all other laborers un-
der corporation or private employ;
the forbidding Of the employment of
women and girls in any and all trades
or forms Of business which would tend
to injure their health or morals; child
life and development carefully guard
ed, no form Of child industrial labor
being allowed, and factory hygiene
and safety device laws on all manufac-
turing machines, fully enforced.
When one realizes that Bulgaria,
about the shape and size Of the state
Of Pennsylvania, is as yet essentially
an agricultural country. with 76 per
cent Of the people owning and cult
waiting their own farms, these unusual
social laws are most remarkable. But
1t shows, most clearly, the careful.
long-headed planning for the future,
which has characterized the policies
and work Of the Bulgarian leaders for
the past quarter-century.
That this progress, noticeable under
the most conspicuous conditions, has
been made during disturbed and un-
settled years. when there was seeming
ly no surety for future stability. makes
the advance still more remarkable.
For years the geographical, as well as
political buffer. between Turkey and
the European powers, betrayed and
belittled alike by open enemy and
false friend, Bulgaria looks with sus-
picion and distrust upon all European
diplomacy and diplomats, but trusts
fully the United states. And no one
can wonder at this attitude, when he
reads back through history's pages and
sees how many times the Iong-perse-
cuted country begged for help from
her Turkish oppressor, and always In
vain. Knowing full we'll the Jealousy
and tension between the powers, the
willy sultans pitted one against the
other, and in the meantime did all they
willed with the Bulgarian and Mace
donian Christians. Their only help
came from this country.
When, in 1878, independence, after
fashion, came, the first great task
set for itself by the new principally,
following the self-governing organiza-
ton was the full and complete liberia
ton OF their compatriots still under
Turkish power. In 1885, Eastern Rou-
melia was incorporated into the Bull
garian principally, in direct opposition
to the ruling Of the European dipio-
mats. This union gave greatly In.
creased working force, and while still
improving steadily their own condi-
tions, the people Of larger Bulgaria
began q carefully planned educational
scheme Of the most unselfish type,
among their own people In Macedo-
MIA. This drain financially to an al
ready heavily taxed nation has been q
tremendous one, but 80 fully has the
responsibility been felt, not once has
there has been cessation Of the work.
With this one, all controlling desire
to free all the Balkan region from
the deadly Turkish grip, Bulgaria, at
great sacrifice Of men, treasure and
time-since all her young men In their
prime must give at least two years 10
military service-organized years ago,
an army to that end, and drilling un-
der competent leaders was incessant.
When, last fall, the time came for the
blow to be struck, practically every
man available for active service was
ready and eager to go. The recruit
ing stations were crowded with the
thousands anxious to go to the front.
To the complete surprise OF the Turks
and the rest Of the world there was
no hitch in the plan or preparation.
A deeper and truer patriotism than Is
often seen, was back of the readiness
of this nation to fight Stories of past
Bulgarian and Macedonian atrocities,
80 foul and horrible as to be but whis-
pered with bated breath, had strength
ened the purpose and nerved the arm
to put forever out Of Europe the hated
Turk. L..
The man whose power and influence
have been predominant In this unex-
pected move Is Czar Cor King) Ferdi-
nand, youngest son Of Prince Angus
tus Of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, and Prin-
cess Clemantine Of Bourbon Orleans,
daughter Of Louis PHILIPPE. Ferdi-
nand was born and educated in Vien-
ma, given a military training, and 1t
was while he was serving In the Hun
garian army in 1887, that, following
the abdication Of Prince Alexander,
he was asked by Bulgaria to accept
the leadership Of the struggling prin-
cipality. By the terms Of the treaty
Of Berlin, the consent Of the powers
was necessary to this action, but this
WAS not given. even when Ferdinand