BULGARIA DIVIDED.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 230, 19 June 1915, Page 3

BULGARIA DIVIDED.

PEASANTS FOR RUSSIA, OFFICERS PRO-GERMAN Professor David Starr Jordan, of Lelaud Stanford Junior University, California, who visited New Zealand not long ago, has given out for publication extracts from a letter received by him from a friend in Bulgaria, under date of February 23rd last in which it is said that the greater number of newspapers and periodicals, the Army officers, and many teachers are "rabidly" pro-German, while the peasants favour Russia. The extract read as follows :

I "As a matter of fact, most intelligent and informed people are bitterly opposed to Russia. Their hatred for her is intense. They want to see her humiliated as no nation was ever hum. iliated before. They are convinced that she "did them dirt," and they want to see her pay for it. Most periodicals and newspapers in Bulgaria are vociferously pro-German. There are only three papers for the Entente.and only one of them is a serious paper "German books, magazines, and pictures abound every place in Sofia. Sofia is a German city. Indeed, our school is a sort of a German Club. All the Army officers and a large number o f th e tachers are rabid for Germany In fact, all of these peole I have mentioned are pathetically and often disgustingly blind to the real world situation. They are sure that everything is working out precisely according to a pre-aranged plan, and that in due season, exactly according to schedule, Germany will win.

"Italy, according to these people, stayed cut cf the affray at the special and urgent request of Germany, and is perfectly ready to help her. the first moment when her help is desired. Turkey went to Germany's aid at the psychological moment, and is nobly fulfilling her part. Roumania and Bulgaria will take part in the affair as soon as Germany speaks the word. As for Russia, a large part of her army is taken, and the rest are just about to mutiny. As for arms and ammunition, she has almost none of these. What few she had in the beginning she has lost. "As for England, poor old England, she is a huge and ridiculous joke. She has neither guns, officers, nor soldiers. While her fleet—well, her fleet is a i pure and simple fake, the plaything of German submarines, the laughing stock of German cruisers, kindling wood for German mines. This is to a greater or less extent the attitude of the Bulgarian 'intelligentia.* "The Bulgarian National Church and ■ he Bulgarian peasants are strongly on the side of Russia. Moreover,- throughout all Bulgaria there is a great deal of confidence in England. "The real situation is somewhat like his: Nobody, except the officers and •:ilers, want to fight. In fact, the 'cyslidg against Avar is teribly strong. - 3e~Mes' this, we are not in condition to fight. I think that there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever but that we are very hard up for many of the most essential army supplies. We-tryy to hide this, but. I am confident that we are. not equipped for war Furthermore,!

jHiowever our rulers may feel about ike matter, tbey fire not inclined to make :uiy wild venture. We CanTt Jian|le our soldiers as we did three years a&o. We can't lead them any place we ylease. ".Bulgaria will tak e no ..step . contrary to the desires of. We will do nothing that England forbids us to do. We can't help Servian Could a Jew fight loyally for Rome Nor can we help Roumania, DestroyedCarthage could n't persuade her remaining sons to enlist in thecJloinan armfe. To lead our soldiers again:. on to ih& bloody bone-strewn plains vsof Thra£& would be difficult. Where our heart %L ther will our treasure be; and oflr heart is in Macedonia and Dobnidj&. Wo want to lick Greece, Servia, an# Roumania. £

"What will we do? First we will s£t still until Italy, Roumania' or Greefifeact. If Greece or Roumania, touch ia» we will fight in a minuter If they sit still, so will we. If the". Entente will let us take now some of Greece ajtyff Servian Macedonia,'-and if yßussia- oir her allies are able to win a substanti|l victory at some place, then we will gfsfe 250,000 of the best soldiers in Europe? to the Entente. Course, will be given on condition that Roumania declares war against Germany. Roumania, however, is very-chieken?hearted* and will never go to war untlf Is already conquered*?.

"Just now, after Russia's, repulsed in East Prussia, no one in" the Balkans talks war. The big word in these parts is neutrality. Our war-spirit corresponds with the battle-line of Russia's soldiers. If it surges ahead gnjrtr very martial; if it sags back we sing of the blessings of peace. iloweVef, we all expect -war between now. and fall. No one wants it, but there is no one who doesn't expect it."-,. j <•/•//