The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-22
BUL CARA STANDS ALONE, EXPELLED
 BY B|G NE|GHBORS
Small Nation Misses Protec- ton Formerly Given By
 Mighty Russia

SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 21.-Bulga- ria is the loneliest country in the world. Surrounded by nations she fought against in the great war. be- reft through bolshevism of the help and guidance of her natural protec- tor, Russia, she is without an ally in continent of ententes, pacts and alliances. She has been striving to win hack the friendship of her next door neighbCrs, Juso Slavia and Ru- mania. but they have proved luke warm to her advances. Soviet Russia has been only too eager to offer the little Balkan state it's hand of friend ship and support, but Bulgaria s rulers know that to accept it would mean further arrangement from the allies.
 For more than three years the country has been directed by Alex ander stamhulisky the peasant, whG was released from a convict prison In 1918 to quell an army mutiny and overthrow the Gzar Ferdinand. He is Bulgaria $ strong man, not only by virtue of his own rugged powerful persona lty, but also because he leads the agraran party, which swamps all others in Parliament. StambuliskY told King Ferdinand in 1915 that if he thrust Bulgaria into war with the allies, he would lose his head. The King ttl Id Stambulisky that he would lose his own head, and threw him into jail.
 Nation of Peasants.
 Bulgaria is a nation of peasants More than four-fifths of the coun- try's 5,000.000 work on the land. The peasants have little sympathy with Bn1 1Sha daf permit no reactionarX mt vements. Of the forces of reaction, there are com munists in Sofia and other towns, and there are paid soviet emissaries all over the land. There still are dis contented Bulgars who look upon Ferdinand as their rightfu1 King. In the event of coup by any of these forces. the people have threatened te set up dictatorship of the peas ants.
 Premier Stambulisky stands for a constitutional monarchy, and the present King, Boris, acts in all ways as constitutional monarch. in strong contrast With the autocracy of his father, Ferdinand. Boris is the youngest king in Europe, being only 2S. of medium heighth, dark complexion, intellectual features. and an alert mind, lie resembles an American college student. He Is an aeConpllSneu IlnSulSl, SpedhlHS bul garian. English, French. Italian, German, Spanish and Russian. He resembles in temperament his Bour- bon mother rather than his German ia ther.
 Boris enjoys great popularity among his peasants. After spending the morning at his desk, he motors out to the country nearly every aft ernoon and spends some time among them. Informal and casual talks with them are his great hobby. He listens patiently to their complaints and suggestions. and is quick to redress every grievance.
 The youthful monarch's great pas time Is railroad engineering. In his summer palace at Vranja. near Sofia is Decauville narrow gauge rail road built largely by himself. He is skilled engine driver. and has taken scientific course in mechsn- ics and engineering. Ills produest possession is miniature locomotive presented to him as youth by 1 Charles R. Crane of Chicago. Int 1 locomotive is a model of those uset on all the big American railroad sys tems, and is easily the most striking exhibit in the kings big collection | of souvenirs and trophies.