Evening star., 1927-11-28
BULGARIA HOLDS
TO PEACE POLICY
Premier Views ItaIian.AI-
banian Treaty as Peril
to Europe.
BY JOHN GUNTHER.
By Radio to The Star and Chicago D
News Copyright. 1927.

BY Radio to The Star and Chicago Daily
| News. Copyright. 1927.
| SOFIA, November 2S.-Prime Minis
ter Liapcheff of Bulgaria. has given
| the writer a private interview, ex.
planning the attitude of his country
in the latest Balkan crisis
'"The sudden death of Premier Brati
anu Of Rumania grieves us, especially
at this time, when the difficult Do
brudja question again Is cropping up
| for settlement" he said. "Of course,
Bulgaria has no interest in Rumania' s
domestic affairs except to hope that
they are stable"
Treaty Seen Danger.
It may be pointed out that Bul.
garia is an important sufferer through
Brationu's death since Ventila Brati'
anu. the new premier, Is generally
said here-though i.ot by Liapcheff-
to have been bitter opponent Of Bull.
gar-Rumanian rappfochement for
many years.
Turning to Albanian affairs. NJ.
Liapcheff indicated this situation was
far more serious, whereas the death
of Bratianu can only produce
dynastic changes. Sofia Is awaiting
hourly news that Prince Carol has
return. The Italian treaty with Al.
bania, coming at this time, may i'm.
peril the peace of Europe.
"What all Of us hope" he said.
''is that the situation is not so diff.
cult as ii seems. I believe 1t will
blow over and be properly adjudi.
Gated"
Other Bulgarian circles are not so
optimistic. They agree with general
European opinion that the signing
of the Italo.Albanian treaty after the
signing Of the Franco-Jugoslav treaty
is a direct slap at Paris and Belgrade.
which because OF the infiamed State OF
public opinion may lead to a serious
diplomatic crisis, or war. IN case
of such an event. Bulgaria would re.
main neutral.
Absolute Neutrality.
Absolutely neutral" NJ. Liapcheff
emphasized. N everything-spirit.
word and deed"
The premier said relations of Bull.
garia with both countries were very
good and denied reports Of Italian
agitation among the Macedonians.
which have been the alleged cause OF
recent frontier trouble, and rumors OF
Jugoslav encroachment on Bulgarian
territory.
NJ. Liapcheff refused to recognize
the possibility that in the event OF
war, Italy might utilize the occasion
for stirring up the Comitadji along
the frontier. with the view OF Great
ing unfriendly tension between Jugo-
slavia and Bulgaria.
He said the question Of the Comitad-
lis had ameliorated in the past few
weeks, especially since the decisive
action of his government in cleaning
up the frontier, an operation In which
all the old guards. police and soldiers
known to be in sympathy with Mace
donia were transferred to inner Bull
garia, and the citizenry of Macedon'
ian descent was disarmed.
Arms Caches Found.
This operation extended from the
frontier to the Struma River, a con.
siderable distance. M. Liapcheff did
not mention the recent discovery of
caches of arms on the Bulgarian side
of the frontier, believed to have been
put there by the Jugoslavs when they
were encouraging the revolt against
Stambolisky a few years ago.
On the other hand. these arms may
have been of more recent origin from
another interested foreign power.
In conclusion. M. Liapcheh asserted
what every foreign diplomatic visitor
to Sofia agrees-that at present Bull
garia has only one policy-that or
peace.