The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1886. The Bulgarian Crisis.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1324, 25 August 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1886. The Bulgarian Crisis.

For more than a decade the little country called Bulgaria has every now and again been the centre of interest to all Europe. The Bulgarian atrocities sent; a tremor through the nerves of every Christian community, and a bitter war raged within the borders of the little nation. An internal trouble followed this, to be followed again by another war. Now we find that Prince Alexander, the able patriot who has long and so valiantly struggled in his country’s interest, has become the victim of Russian intrigue, and has been deposed. It seems to us quite clear that the hand of Russia can be seen in this matter, and nothing would give that grasping country greater joy than to be able to move about like chessmen on a board the sovereignties and dynasties of Europe, holding the balance of power in her 'own hand and apportioning it as suited her own sweet will. Eight years ago we found Russia quite loud-mouthed in her urgings for the union of Bulgaria with that state’s Roumelian neighbor, which political separation had been maintained by England and Russia with a view to allow Turkey to hold the Balkan

passes, those passes supplying for them a physical or geographical separation. But a change has now come over the spirit of the Russian dream, for while the desired end had been almost accomplished, and Turkey had virtually relinquished possession of the passes when they were found to be more burdensome than useful, Russia is found ranging herself on the side of opposition to the union. Her conduct is in keeping with her history—and that as we know, has been one long line of tyranny and oppression, treachery and insincerity. It is to her fhtrigue just now, we feel sure, that Prince Alexander owes his desposition from power in Bulgaria, and to the fear of her is to be

attributed the acquiescence, real or apparent, for we cannot believe it real, that the Bulgarian people show in his deposition. In the telegrams of this morning we And it stated that Russia will probably pursue a policy of direct intervention in Bulgaria with a view to establishing a new regime in that country. Freely and plainly translated this means that Russia will virtually take charge of the country and dictate to it a constitution of Muscovite manufacture. The telegram which tells us this is from a Russian source. A

Turkish telegram apprises us of symptoms manifesting themselves in the Bulgarian army which indicate a revulsion of feeling in favor of the deposed Prince. A Berlin telegram quotes the language of the semi-official organ there to the effect that the deposition of Prince Alexander solves the question in Eastern Europe, which is now out of danger. The paper adds that Austria, Germany, and Turkey acquiesce in the Prince’s deposition and holds that this event frustrates England’s hope to solve the question by a duel between Austria and Russia, and without sacrifice on her part. The

sling of this telegram is in the tail, and is pointed at England. She certainly has her hands full just now of Home affairs and perhaps the wily writer fancies she would prefer rather to settle these than interfere in the Bulgarian trouble. But it is quite within the bounds of possibility that a diversion of the popular ra : nd from these Home troubles to European one? may be a solution—a temporary one at least—of the troubles Lord Salisbury has to deal with. We do not

fear, in any case, that Russia will be allowed to ride rough shod over the Bulgarian people any more than Turkey was permitted lo do so, and if the Sultan was denied thepleasure of imposing his tyranny upon the little state, it is not likely that the more intense oppression of the Czar will be permitted to be laid upon them. It appears to us that the future is big with events in Europe.