THE EUROPEAN SITUATION

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 88, 25 February 1888, Page 2

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION

* By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright* (PER -TOTED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) St. Petersburg, February 23. It is understood that the Russian troops on the frontier will be increased by one hundred thousand men ia about a month. In the note to the Powers the Czar declares that the present position in Bulgaria ia dangerous to the peace of Europe. The immediate depobition of Prince Ferdinand is urged, and th* Czar promises that, if Austria with' ; draws her objections to this course, , the Russian forces on the Galician frontier shall be immediately withdraw. The Messenger Official, in an article' , on jthe Bulgarian question, states that . . Prince Ferdinand's presence' and acta [ at Sofia are a distinct violation of the i Berlin Treaty, and all that Russia , seeks io do is to induce the Powers to i both declare the treaty inviolable and t bring the Sultan of Turkey to inform j Bulgaria that the election of Prince Ferdinand is illegal, and that he is- . merely a robber of power. It con--3 eludes by asserting that Russia rejects--5 the idea of forcibly restoring her ! legal status in Bulgaria, f Lonpon, February 23 *. Mr Labouchere moved that an asj surance was required from England to the effect that the reported Angloj Italian alliance, which had not been 3 officially contradicted, was not hostilej, to France. Sir James Fergusson, B Under-Secretary for Foreign. Affairs, in reply, denied that the 'Government j had contracted any military or naval B engagement with Italy, and ahso ridi- _' culed the idea that any hostility was j displayed by either nation to France. He expressed the opinion that th* ' peace of Europe at the present time j was more assured than a year ago. He admitted there bad been private < t parleyings between England and the | other Powers. Mr Gladstone said i that the assurances given by Sir g James were satisfactory, and he waß quite satisfied that Lord Salisbury's- . foreign policy was generally sound., j After discussion, Mr Labouchere withdrew his motion, his object having ~ been effected by the debate. Rome. February 23V Italy is taking active measures to- , increase her army and militia in consequence of the action of France in ' massing large numbers of troops on the Italian frontier. 8 The massing of French troops on r the frontier is causing some alarm here, and is being discussed in the ' Chamber of Deputies.