The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1888. THE CRISIS APPROACHING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1796, 22 March 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1888. THE CRISIS APPROACHING.

There is an ominous paragraph m yesterday's cable news which indicates that the crisis m European affairs is at hand, and that m all likelihood the question of Peace or War will be decided wiihin a very few days — possibly hours — hence. .Russia has long been making military preparations on a gigantic scale, and is now doubtles as ready to strike as she expects to be, and having twice during tho past two months moved the Porte to warn Prince Frederick that his occupation of the throne of Bulgaria is regarded as illegal, has bo far met with the vis inertia of tacit refusal to take the hint. Obviously therefore, she must either pro • ceed further or let the matter drop, and it is evident that she has chosen the first alternative. For the cable message runs that M. Nelidoff, the Russian Ambassador has formally requested Prince Frederick to leave Bulgaria. This is tho notice to quit, before attempting forcible removal, and the matter hinges now upon the reply which shall bo vouchsafed to the derannd. Probably, tho Porte, having previously conveyed tho message as to illegal occupation, will follow it up by sending on the order to the Prince to abdicate ; but it is one thing to be told to go and another to go, ami judging from Prince Frederick's recent jntimation that ho would do nothing which m Ills opinion would compromise the interests of his country, it is ! quite on the cards that hp will decline to obey tho demand of his suuei'ain the Sultan, m which, indeed, the latter is Tery plainly halt-hearted. What then ? Clearly Russia must accept the humiliation oi making a demand which she is unable to enforce, of eho must set her troops m motion. It is y.e^y unlikely indeed that she will do the former, and therefore m the event of Ferdinand showing a plucky determination to stand by his throne and his people, an immediate declaration of war may be looked for. As that would be the prelude m all likelihood to tho jnvolyement of nearly all the military Powers of Europe, enormous issues having upon tho event, and the reply of Bulgaria to the Russian demand will be looked Jfor with anxiety.