The Dominion. SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1012. POSSIBILITIES IN THE BALKANS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1012. POSSIBILITIES IN THE BALKANS.

King or Tsar, Ferdinand of Bulgaria is generally acknowledged to be tho most astute and the most ambitious of present-day Balkan rulers, Uharles, King of Rumania, was described the other day by Mr. E. A. Powell, formerly of tho American Consular Service in Turkey, as "one of the widest aud most highly accomplished statesmen of his time." "King Peter of Servia," ho wrote, "is regarded as exceedingly liberal, not to say Socialistic, in his political views," while King Nicholas of Montenegro was depicted as "savhis dress, a typical English squire," and "even by the admission of his severest critics, the ablest of the Balkan Sovereigns." To Ferdinand, Mr. Powell directed a closer scrutiny, doubtless recognising some of the strange complexities which characterise tne mind of Bulgaria's very remarkable monarch. "Ferdinand of Bulgaria," he wrote, "is altogether a clever and accomplished gentleman, a skilful politician, with an accommodating conscience, who has inherited the manners of his Bourbon ancestors as well as their insincerity." Mr. Powell then proceeds to set forth in plain but vigorous lan- p guage certain facts touching the career, the present position, and tho supposed policy of the King. He, it would seem,_ is_ unpopular with his subjects, principally because of his love of show, his personal extravagance and tho ridiculous etiquette of his Court. "Ho has made himself Tsar of the Bulgars, but.he sees in himself the future Emperor of the Balkans." There is no absence of information concerning the four Balkan Kings; but, while there is almost complete agreement with regard to tho character and the aims of three, the fourth—Ferdinand—remains uncertain and enigmatical, more especially as to the real qualities of the man. Of his policy there need be no doubt: all observers seem to consider it none other than one of self-aggrandisement. At a time like tho present, when tho whole Peninsula may suddenly become the theatre of an epoch-making war the reputations of the Balkan rulers naturally assume importance when seeking to estimate tne future of South-East Europe. 1 . In considering the Balkan problem one fact seems evident. It is that tho present position of Macedonia and of Albania cannot, and is unlikely to be, indefinitely prolonged. Turkey's internal troubles and the war with Italy may have suggested to Ferdinand that tho time is opportune for putting_ his long : cherished plans into execution. Sofia is the,centre of the present scheming in tlie Balkans. Peter of Servia probably desires nothing more than the preservation of his throne and country. By some might be added concern for his own personal safety. It is, however, extremely doubtful if tho King's worst enemies would to-day dream ot regicide. Nor does the King of Rumania desire war. Charles has always displayed something very like hostility, towards Ferdinand, a hostility which has resulted in, if not a formal treaty, an absolutely precise declaration of friendship towards Turkey. The official declaration of M. Rumania's Foreign Minister, to the Turkish Minister, set that question, for some time doubtful, at rest. "In the event of a conflict between Turkey and Bulgaria," said M. Bratiano, "Rumania will mobilise all her corps d'armee along the military frontier, in order to be prepared for any eventuality, and to give another proof of her friendship to the Turkish Race prejudices divide Montenegro and Albania, to what degree cannot be stated with accuracy. But, with Italy behind them, it is improbable that they would willingly assist Servia and Bulgaria. Their strongest inducement to do so would be, not love of additional territory, but hatred of the Turks and of Turkish rule. Albania has been demanding but autonomy; Montenegro has given no indication of a desire to extend her borders. Rumania's army in numbers and in training is superior to the combined armies of Bulgaria, and Servia; therefore King Ferdinand remains Sowerless. The total war strength of tontcnegro's militia force does not exceed 50,000 men, and in no case could it at the outbreak of hostilities form part of the BulgarianServian army. So long, therefore, as Rumania maintains the Treaty with Turkey, Ferdinand's descent into the Sultan's dominions unaided will not take place. Ferdinand's character, considered in conjunction with the position in the Balkans, provides a fairly suro indication of the policy he will attempt to pursue. His only hope of glorifying himself is to secure aid from the outside. The recent journey ho made to Vienna and Berlin would seem to show that he looks for help now, not to Russia as formerly, but to Austria and Germany. Certain phases in his career are here as interesting as they aro illuminating. Ferdinand has inherited many peculiarities from his mother, the Princess Clementine, daughter of King Louis Philippe, and, explains a writer in the Fortnightly Review, "she had much in common with that most wily of Sovereigns." The Princess trained her son in I'art d'etre roi. "Lessons were given to him in Statc-craffc and diplomacy, and his mother herself initiated him into the high mysteries that envelop crowned heads." His opportunity arrived when he was offered the Bulgarian crown. The description of his opening years at Sofia is not edifving. He disliked Stambuloff,' formerly the Regent, set up a body of socret police to watch over his Ministers, and others, and report to him personally. Alluding to his Court, the Fortnightly Review writer—whose version agrees with many otherssays: "A diplomatist who had been at almost every Court in Europe, told me that he had never in- the whole course of his life encountered any Sovereign who demeaned himself <jo loftily, hedged himself in with so many forms and ceremonies as this petty Balkan Prince." Then came the murder of Stamhuloff, when Ferdinand and his Ministers were accused of having instigated the crime. In this connection the Berlin Vossiscfw Zcituiffi wrote: "If any ordintry citizen of any State had'been so incriminated as Piuxcf. I'ehdinand has been, the man would have been arrested." "The. Prince," it is furthnr recorded, "hnn nn taste at all for aoldierifljE, although he caa make

warlike speeches when it suits him; lie heartily dislikes, indeed, everything connected with fighting. For he is essentially a nervous man g and lws always suffered, more or less, from neurasthenia." Ferdinand seems to be the very man supplied by nature to play into the hands of Austria and of Germany.