The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning New, and Echo. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 886.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 215, 13 September 1886, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning New, and Echo.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 886.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong: that needs resistance, For tho future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Queer developments are the order of the day in Eastern Europe, and therefore very little surprise need be felt at tho announcement 'that Prince Alexander has not yet left Bulgaria. If Alexandor is a free agent, and not a mere puppet in the hands of Russia, he will not leave the country until ho has been expelled by tho will of the people. Even adopting the more charitable hypothesis — that tho unfortunate Prince of Bulgaria is acting a uoblo aud independent part—the probability is that he will yet have to permanently retire from the Principality. It may suit Russian plans to allow the Prince to seek re-election ; but tho Bulgarians, under Russianiufluence—partly cozened into the belief that tho Czar is their real friend and deliverer, aud partly coerced by throats of dire consequences —mqv very readily be brought to voto for Prince Nicholas of Montenegro in preference to the once popular idol. Should this programme bo carried out the result will be tho complete humiliati<3n of Prince Alexander and the Russianisation of Bulgaria by perfectly regular and constitutional means. Having thus settled Bulgarian affairs, the Czar may then gracofully concede the contention of England with regard to Batoum, by declaring it still a free port, and the play will end amid warm commendations of the wjsdom, moderation, and benevolence of " holy Russia." That the closing of Batoum is a direct breach of the Treaty of Berlin admits of no question ; even Russian diplomatists have not the hardihood to assert the contrary ; they tacitly admit, indeed, that it is Russia's counter-move to the breach of treaty involved in the union of Bulgaria and Roumolia under Prince Alexander; and they will doubtless be content to open Batoum to commerce if they are successful in preventing the growth of an independent Slav State in the Balkans. This view of the matter will explain the calmness with which the situation is regarded in Europe, as well as the " reassuring" statement made on Ministerial authority in the House of Commons, expressive of the belief thab no Power would act in contravention of the Berlin Treaty. It is, however, a disquieting symptom to find the British Ambas- ! sador at Constantinople called to ! London to consult on the crisis. Weighty issues hang on the result of i this Conference, for it will determine whether or not the Sultan will forcibly resist at this stage the threatened partition of his Empire. While to all apjjearance the " European concert" is maintained, Russia is no doubt completing her arrangements for war, which she will, in our opinion, at once prosecute, if her wishes are opposed by England and Turkey. The abduction of Prince Alexander was a harsh discord in tho " concert "; it remains to be seen whether Conductor Bismarck has the genius to restore the harmony, or whether the jangled tune will havo to be drowned by " the diapason of the cannonade."