The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1886-10-16 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

RUSSIA AND BULGARIA. Whntever may be the intention of Russia with regard to Bulgaria it would not seem that the Casa is playing his part with the astute adroitness which isasupposedcharacteristic of Russian diplomacy. We say supposed, for to our view there has always been an exaggerated idea of Russian diplomacy. But what can be clumsier than the present action of the Casa I He commences by a crude and vulgarkidaapping of Princeazzzarinen,harilly caring to conceal the part he and his officers play. Now he sends a special representative an the shape of General Kamnsna, whose autocratic instructions and orders are defied and ridiculed by the populace. And to crown his discomfiture, the elections—which he had practically forbidden to take place— have resulted loan immense majority for the National Government which is inimical to the Czsres influence. To the General's orders the Bulgarian popnlace have returned brickbats, and his endeavours to provoke disorder have ended in murders and failure. And to what end I If the CZAR desires open hostility, if war is his intention, cannot he justify it in soine better manner than this ? All Europe will denounce his present method of interferenoe,and the hypocrisy of his statewent that it is all fee the good of Bulgaria. If he desires to increase his own influence in Bulgaria he is taking a sorry method to promote his wishes, for his name is eseerated throughout the country. Nor in it probable, from appearances, that he will be allowed to bend the people to his plans. Already he has interfered with the  oountry inn manner which is condemned by Europe as unprecedented and unprofitable, and it is far from probable that the other nations of Europe would view with indifference or unconcern the armed occupation of Bulgaria by Russia. Austrian interests weuld be directly affected, and no alliance would prevent her at least making a demonstration in her own protection. Prince BISMARK, we know, is intensely anxious to avoid anything that may give rise to a Enropesn war, and his arts, at any rate, would be used to induce the CZAR to desist. England and Turkey certainly, to say nothing of Greece, Italy, and France, would not be unaffected, and would net probably in concert with other Powers. So it would not be a war simply between !tussle and Bulgaria, the result of which might be easily prophesied. Russia would have her hands full, and that at a time wEen she can scarcely desire it. However Russia acts, whether she aasnmes a bellicose position, or retires after her diplomatic repulsion. she suffers in prestige. The Bulgarians are determined, manifestly, to ! atand out for their own independence, and will not be made a dependency of Russia.' With that aspiration Englishmen, at least, will sympathise, and the present position shows how unfortunate it was that by the Berlin Treaty the country NIIIB Cut in two and her power to protect herself and to assert her own independence was crippled and maimed. We hope, yet, that the future will are a strong and United Bulgaria, which will form the best and most powerful obstruction • to Bosnian aggresion. In that reaped, at least, we hope to see the Berlin Treaty altered.