Evening star., 1933-07-15
A MACEDOINE, Sofia published
in Bulgaria for political rea-
sons) The Balkans supply daily

fresh proofs that they are really
and truly countries of surprises.
Just at a time when nobody expected 1t,
the ideal Turco-Bulgarian relations,
which apparently had been entirely re-
built upon deep foundations Of mutual
respect and difference. were violently
shaken by a conclusion the effects OF
which may continue to be felt for
long time AS a matter Of fact, the in
cidents were not at all Of any impor-
tance. but they indicate, nevertheless,
the tensions everywhere so prevalent in
these days between neighboring coun-
tries.
The facts are we'll known. A few ir-
responsible youths conceived the idea OF
entering the Turkish graveyard at Raj
gard by force and demanding that 1t
should be taken over by the city au-
thorities as an extension Of the munic:-
pal park Such an act was naturally
considered on the Turkish side. as
amounting to sacrilege and proclamation.
Students in Stambul Immediately got
up a demonstration outside the Bull
garian consulate in that city.
Fortunately, both the Bulgarian and
Turkish governments were able to take
timely and energetic measures for mu-
tual and satisfactory settlement ~ the
incident, which at least threate-.ed to
degenerate into campaign of mutual
determinations in the press, but it would
be a little premature to assume that the
incidents at Razgard and Stambul have
left no lingering resentment.
People on both sides of international
boundaries-and within them. too-too
often nurse piques and injured feel
ings, which smolder perhaps for years
and then break out afresh with an ac-
cumulated rancor, all the more serious
because so long restrained. So this
t-if1ing episode-though We do not wish
to be pessimistic-may yet exercise
powerful and by no means beneficial
influence on the future Turco-Bulgarian
contacts.
Such a manifestation cannot prop
erly be. considered an isolated event. 1t
is rather but one of whole series OF
demonstrations of more or less open
hostility observable in the attitude OF
the Belgrade government, which may
have its reasons for desiring to bring
about a breach between Bulgaria and
Turkey in order that the former coun..
try may be surrounded with fence OF
bavonets thus removing her as a factor
in opposition to the belligerent activities
which would establish that new con-
ception which may be called Panserbia.
If so. Belgrade may very likely be dis
appointed, for. after all, Turkey has no
intensive longing to get mixed up in a
policy of renewed adventurirgT, nor do
the ma aiority of the more stable and in
telligent Bulgarians wish to break of
peaceful and kindly relations with their
southern neighbor.
:: :: x =
Rickshaw Ban Held
Unlikely in Shanghai.
North China Daily News, Shanghai
Although it is believed that the Auto
mobile Club of China has considerable
support for its declared intention to
press for the abolition of rickshaw traf-
fic in the International Settlement, there
is little possibility of an early accept.
ance of that policy by the Municipal
Council of stricter control over the rick
shaw traffic.
The police report supplies the text.
To begin with. an organized effort to
suppress the touting for hire by empty
private rickshaws would be most bene-
ficial. That Illicit practice is unfair to
the hire rickshaw and definitely nllis-
ance to the public Criticism has been
passed on the leniency shown by points
men on duty to the rickshaw. 1t is not
altogether groundless While motorists
quite rightly have to pass test before
they can secure a license. the rickshaw-
man can jump into the shafts in the
delightful state of the perfect amateur.
On the whole, rickshawmen in Shang-
hal are exceedingly worthy citizens, and.
given considerate treatment, behave
we'll Their errors are mainly the prod
uct of ignorance That is no reason,
however. why patient f1rmness should
not exploit their natural sense of dis
cipline by being more vigilant in secur-
ing their observance of the trafhc rules.