SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 247, 20 October 1886, Page 3

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

THE BULGARIAN CRISIS

STORY OF PRINCE ALEXANDER'S DEPOSITION.

(PROM Otm LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

London, Thursday, Sept. 9th. So far as tho lioat permits discussion, Bulgaria is the topic In every European capital. In Lor. don of course the desertion o£ the clubs has provented any of those scares in which the amateur statesmen of Pall Mall delight; and even the Stock Exchange has felt too languid or too confident in European peace to indulge in any of its customary thrills. Yet everyone talks of Bui garia, and eagerly looks for the latest news. Certainly, if variety and excitement are the Irnc testof interest, the telegrams of the last fortnight ought to satisfy the paluteof the daintiest, newsmonger. We began with the abduction of the prince, and a long period of suspense, during which he and his whereabouts were alike hidden from Europe. We were then favoured with rumours of brutal treatment—twenty-six hours without food—seven days without a change of linen—whilst insult and jeer were showered on the prince as he passed along the Russian line. Then in a moment the scene was changed. The lievolutionary Government was overthrown. The new Government clamoured lorlhe restoration of their prince, and in obedience to popular desire he came, lint exciting iidven tares were still in store. Rumours of assassination count of com so for little, even wheff sanctioned by "good authority"; nor do reported eonllicts between the rebel and the Government troops and the consequent outbreak of civil war. But an authentic attempt to upset the princes train and his narrow escape, thanks to a vigilant guard, give a spice of danger to the triumphant ami enthusiast icdispluj with which Prince Alexander wag everywhere received.

No doubt, llio ontlvußltism of tlio Bulgarians nrnsu largely from personal considerations. His noble bearing, his brav.-ry, m.d I.ls charm ol1 manner have won for him not merely tho love of his subjects, but the reaily sympathy of foreign t-oiirlH." W'hon lie mw over here at his brother's marriaKC with I'rineess liuutrico, lie bceainc a great favourite. Kverjone was channeil with him. It wan evon rumoured,and has never been contradicted, that ho obtained a small loan to assist in Hulgariaii armaments. Private help, however, must always bo comparatively niggardly, and otlicial support from Knsdand could not transgress tho bounds of sympathy.

Tho welcome which greeted him on his return from exile came from tho anti-Russian party with whom he has recently acted, and from that majority of tho population which was swayed by "a momentary admiration from its habitual indecision. But the Prince had only too good reason to fear, that Russia, the powerful loadstar of the North, would soon pervert the fickle masseslto its side; and that since Russia hud the acquiescence of the other Umpires ho could not thwart her power. Ilia practical mind quickly appreciated the facts, and since opposition was impossible, he determined on compliance. The Czar however dreaded so popular a governor even though he professed loyalty to himself: UJid Alexander's subinissivelettcr mot only with a brusque reply. This showed that the Prince's government was impossible and bonding before the tlirro Empires, ulthough by his return to Sotlu he had refused to yield to one, he has now renounced the throne.

There has been a strange mingling of private with public influences throughout the crisis. Tlie Czar's dislike of his Battenberg cousins is only too well known, though perhaps the practical way in which it was displayed on his mother's death has not been often mentioned. The late Kmprcss w:is warmly attached to her nepliows the Battenhergs, who arc all handsome manly fellows; and amongst this favourite family Alexander was her pel. Hy her will she left him two millions of roubles, knowing that her own children were all well provided for. The Czar was much chagrined at, this alien'itlon of property from the Romanotl'house, and has not, I believe, to this day paid over tho principal to his cousin. Tho interest has been devoted by tho prince to national purposes in Bulgaria. The resentment of the Czar was shown nga'n in his surly, curt reply to the prince's oiler of submission.

Amongst "the Liberals ot Germany also and throughout tho non-ofllcial pi-ess, personal inclination has been supreme. The heroic conduct of their fellow countryman has evoked a generous warmth of feeling that contrasts strongly with tliecool statesmanship of Bismark. King Milan, nf Servia, Alexander's craven-hearted opponent in the lato war, has joined in congratulation and sympathy. "Whilst the ministers of the Roumanian ICinpr, afraid liko Milan for the existence of their country it the strongest of the small Balkan states is to he crushed, are reported to have threatened to resign if Alexander's abdication is confirmed. In Kngland sympathy with the prince ia everywhere expressed, the Queen taking the lead by constant communications with tho Foreign Oflico. and the despatch of a special royal messenger to Sofia.

But, after all, theso iiorsonal feelings represent merely a surface movumont. It is to tho confidential gatherings of Imperial Chancellors that Km-opc looks for tho settlement of tho Kant. Prince Bismarck is of courso trying to play hia part ofiCie " Honest Rroker" between Austria aim Russia. In spite of tho antagonism of their interest!), he maintains tin alliance with both, i» his etlbrt io slave oil' any entente cordialc between Russia and Germany's foe across the Rhine. To appease the Czar, he has sacrificed Prune Alexander. "Germany," say his Government journals, "has no interest in the Balkans." " No." their Austrian allies reply, " that's true: but neither has Austria interests on the Rhine." The slight irritation shown by somo Viennese puriers reveals the precarious nature of this alliance. It is, however, as yet only editorial talk, and Hint has little inlluenco on the policy of the Kniperors. Russia aims at Constantinople and the southern sea. lint, as Paskeric is reported to have said to Nicholas, "Yon must go by Vienna to reach the Dardanelles;" in other words Austria and Russia must eventually come to blows over the division of llanubian lands. Bismarck wishes to avert this, and settle the future of Ihe Kastl by Imperial diplomacy. Kugland would receive carte Ulanrhn to do as she pleased in Egypt on condition that she would leave (the Balkans alone. Kngland, however, without taking or IhrcatpninK active steps, always hankers after Balkans us shall bar the path of Russia to the aea. The wisdom (if this, considering that European reverse for Russia means Auiatie aclvance, is scaredv apparent. But at all events thus far the Triple Alliance seems likely in prove tho dictator. Kngland i-i lenrninglto hold aloof, France, as Bismarck earnestly desires, is isolated, and the danger of a Riisso-Frcnch alliance lias for a time disappeared.

Lavish Use of Russian Coin. London, September i.— Thn "Daily Telegraph" tin's morning, commenting on the Bulgarian revolution, says: Russia lias already secretly spent IS.OOO.HOK francs in Bulgaria. .Just before the revolution the Russian Consul of Sophia withdrew £70.000 in Turkish money from a well-known Eastern bank, ostensibly to endow certain religious communities which nobody was aware were in plenary straits. Tho Czar'a Rebuke to Emperor William. Tho "Post's" Berlin correspondent says that Emperor William proposed Prince Alexander's telegram to the Czar, as the best means of oflecting a reconciliation, and that the Czar'a reply was, therefore a direct blow at tin Emperor. Tho correspondent further says that the nows of Alexander's abdication caused the utmost indignation against Russia amongst the German army ofiicers. Advices from Vienna say that the news of Alexander's abdication was received with consternation there, the Princes action being looked upon as the beginning of a serious stage of the Bulgarian question. It is believed in Vienna that clie abdication will not (inter Russia from attempting to occupy Bulgaria, a proceeding which Austria cannot allow. WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.

Constantinople, Sept. 6.— lt is rumoured that in accordance with tlic advice given by two friendly Powers, Turkey is making military preparations on the Asiatic frontier. It is also said that orders have liccn given to supply the army in Krzeroum and along the border with additional gun stores and other war munitions. This activity is due to ii movement on tlie part of Russia, which is supposed to bo making efforts to gauge the military and naval strength of Turkey. A suspicious foreign artist has been seen making sketches of forts outside of Constantinople, and it is thought he was an agent of Russia. It is learned that largo contracts have boon made on Russian account for coal for Odessa, and that a contract has been made to supply 30,000 tons of metal plates of twelve-inch thickness and with steel facings for Russian arsenals on the Black sea. Russia's Pans,

London, September C.-The " Tiuies of to-day says a Rcgonoy Commission, composed with or without Russian partisans, can only hasten the day when the people of Bulgaria, wearied and dispirited, will abandon thoir dreams of autonomy and welcome) Russian domination as the only means of escaping anarchy. Tho date of tho entry of Russian troops Into Bulgaria is unimportant. Tho detail of all that has been effected by tho union of lioumclia and Bulgaria is the enlargement of the slice of tho Turk'sh empire which Russia securesi by tho operation. Herman and Austrian lndlflerenco probably springs from a consciousness of their inability to prevent the Russian advance. The central Powers may be making the best of the unpleasant and unavoidable circumstance, but they cannot pretend that the course of ovents is proolsoly Huch as tlioy would proscribe were they maßtors of the situation,

The " Standard" urges ICnglanrt not to oppose whoever may be elected to succcod Prince Alexander. It continues as follows: "If Alexander's successor be a pro-Russian, he will the moro quickly bring Austria to a full consciousness of what concerns her in Bulgaria and force Germany to docide whether to sacrifice Austria to Russia or vice versa. Russia is the old man of the sea for Austria and Germany, and by their rooent subserviencies they have got him tighter around their neoka than ever."

THE PRINCE'S FAREWELL. Prince Alexander has signed a deed of abdication, and has departed from Sophia. A compact masa of people witnessed his departure from the palace, and thousands lined the route taken by him through the town. The Prince stood up in his carriage, bowing to the rx^ople and saying, "Good-bye, my brethren." 1 h Bp >pulace were much affected. Tears sprang to many eyes, and hearty wishes were expressed for the Prince's speedy return. A manifesto was issued by Alexander prior to his departure. It says :— We, Aloxandor, Prince of Bulgaria, boing convinced that our departure will contribute to Bulgaria's liberation, having received an assurance from the Czar that the independence, liberty, and rights of our country shall romain intact and that nobody shall interfere with its internal affairs, we inform lour beloved people that we renounce the throne, wishing to prove how dear to us are the interests of Bulgaria, for which we are willing to sacrifice that which is more precious to us than life. After expressing his affection for his subjects and his heartfelt gratitude for their devotion, he says he will pray God to shield and prosper the countpy. He concludes by asking the people to obey the Regency and Ministry to the end that order and peace may be preserved.