The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-13
BULGARS RECOVER
RAPIDLY FROM WAR
Factories Opened, Commerce
Is Resumed and Peace
Holds Sway.

SOFIA, Nov. 10. (By Associated
Press. Bulgaria gives now no out
ward sign Of a country having been at
war, A large part of the army has
peen demobiized, commercial activity
mas been resumed, the crops are ex-
eeilent, there Is an abundance of food
in the country, the health of the popu-
lation Is good. md everybody is de-
voting himself to the active pursuits of
peace.
The war has become only a memory
In the minds of the thrifty and philo-
sophical Bulgarian peasants, who are
SO absorbed in their agricultural and
household pursuits that they have little
u to think Of the past. But all eyes
are naturally turned to Paris. where
the destinies Of Bulgaria are being
weighed. The attitude of mind of the
people might be described as one Of
hoping for the best but expecting the
Bulgaria suffered no property dam
age by hostile invasion or lombard
ment, and lost comparatively few lives
by wounds or disease. 1t may be many
years. however, before Bulgaria re-
gains her former financial position. The
war cost her more than $1,000, o00.0 900.
indemnity Of $500, 900, 900 and is called
upon to return the billion dollars she
borrowed from Germany, her financial
position will be the more serious. Her
present wal liabilities total more than
half her national wealth.
The Italians, whose friendship the
Bulgarians have been a~ssiduously cul- |
tivating, have sent large Quantities OF
goods into the country. The French
have likewise sent a considerable
amount. The British have an economic
mission here, but little merchandise has |
come into. Bulgaria from England.
The Bulgarian. government and peo-
pie are extremely anxious the United
States should establish active trade re-
lations with them. There is great need
OF farm implements, machinery, faories.
and manufactured articles of all kinds.
The United States appointed a consul |
to Bulgaria in May, but he has not yet
arrived in Sofia, The Bulgarians are
hopeful he may be able to bring the
two countries into closer commercial
cumulation Of tobacco and altar OF
roses which the government Is anxious
to dispose OF. There has been so little
demand for altar Of roses, due to the
war, that a number of peasants have
turned their rose gardens into vege-
The stores of Sofia gradually are
filling UP. Goods are fiitering through
from italy, France and Greece. The
low rate of exchange, however. has
placed heavy. burdens on the local mer-
chants. The Bulgarian franc, which at
par is worth 20 cents, is now equivalent
to only 4 cents. The American dollar
and the Greek drachma (franc) are the
only moneys that sell at their face
value.
Until peace is signed by all the Bal
kan states, the French and Italian
armies may continue to occupy Bull
garia. The Greeks now are massed in
large numbers in Macedonia and along
the Bulgarian frontier. The Italians,
by their moderation and department
have won the favor of the B~ulgarians.
but the French are extremely unpopu-
lar. The French army has a large force
OF colored and other colonial troops |
here. The Bulgarians complain of
frequent attacks on women n other
disorders by these colored soldiers.