The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1885. WAR IN EUROPE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1400, 3 October 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1885. WAR IN EUROPE.

The “ old sore ” of Europe has broken out afresh. Several attempts have been made to plaster it up, but evidently it cannot be done. Nothing can do it until the “ unspeakable Turk ” shall, as Mr Gladstone once said, “ taks his bag and baggage across tbe Bospborous.” It was thought that the Treaty of Berlin in 1878—in which the late Lord Beaconsfield played so prominent a part—had settled the question, but apparently it is far from beina in a satisfactory condition. By thajr treaty Bulgaria was constituted a semiindependent Principality, and allowed to elect its own Prince. In 1879 Bulgaria availed herself of this privilege, and selected as its Prince, Alexander, son of Prince Alexander of Hesse, and brother of the present Empress of Russia and also of Prince Henry of Battenburg, tbe husband of the Princess Beatrice. He is, therefore, connected with both the

Royal families of Russia and England. The Principality of Bulgaria is still under tbe suzerainty ot Turkey, and must pay an annual tribute, but otherwise it is independent. Adjoining it is another province called Roumelia, which by the same treaty remained under the authority of Turkey, and was given the privilege of having a Christian Governor-General instead of a Mohammedan 01m. Bulgaria has an area of English square miles, and its population is about 1,859,000; and Roumelia has an area of 13,500 English square miles, and a population of about 900,000. Apparently both these places have come to tbe conclusion that it would be a good thing for them to unite into one Principality, and recently they agreed to do so. No sooner did Prince Alexander reach home afterhaving attended at the marriage of bis brother in England than be found the Roumeliane ready to accept him as their Prince, and ho at once signified his intention of accepting the responsibility. Since then the plot has been thickening. Greece and Servia have intimated that if Bulgaria is allowed to annex Roumelia they also will seize whatever they can lay hands on, and from the latest accounts we find that the Albanians—who are also Turkish subjects—have fought a battle, and defeated the Turkish troops. As regards the intentions of the Great Powers in respects of the difficulty, the news to hand so far is conflicting. First came the news that the feeling in St. Petersburg was one of triumph, but next day : it was said the Russian Government would require the deposition of Prince Alexander, The next item of news informed us that the British Government would insist upon the revolting States remaining ns they were ; also that the Czar had called upon Russian officers in the Bulgarian array to resign. Later telegrams state that the Conservatives are strongly in favor of Prince Alexander, and that they will not insist on the revolting provinces being restored to stains quo. As things stand at present the position is complicated and serious. Russia, we are informed, is collecting her forces in the southernmost part of her dominion—Bessarabia—with the view no doubt of having a finger in the pie. It is not hard to see what she is aiming at. It is well known that the dream of Russia is to seize Constantinople, and the best informed believe that it was that end she had in view in her recent attack on Afghanistan. If the present complications intensify she will have a splendid opportunity of rushing direct into Constantinople, when most of the intervening territory will have revolted against the authority of the Sultan. If Russia succeeds in seizing Constantinople, Turkish dominion in Europe will be at an end ; but it is not probable that the other Powers will agree to this. Besides the jealousy which exists between them there are other strong reasons why they should not agree to the dismemberment of tbe Turkish Empire, By the Treaty of Berlin Turkey is to a certain extent under the protection of England ; and ,

besides Turkey owes to the other European countries on immense sum of money. Her national debt is supposed to be about £75,000,000 —the greater part of which is due to English and French bondholders. If Tuikey were thus crushed out of existence in Europe she would have only her Asiatic territory as security for her national debt, and consequently it is not likely that her creditors will see her defeated. Still there is no reason why Roumelia should not be allowed to unite with Bulgaria. The latter province when it severed from Turkey agreed to take over its fair share of the national debt ; Roumelia would doubtless be equally ready to share the same responsibility it allowed to adopt her own course. Under these circumstances the bondholders could not object, as one country would be as likely to pay them their “ pound of flesh ” as the other, 'there is still the great objection of allowing Russia to extend her territory to Constantinople, Once there she would be a source of endless trouble, and the probabilities are that the other European Powers will never allow her to take possession of so strong a point. At any rate, the situation is very critical, and it is not improbable that it may result in setting all Europe in a blaze.