BALKAN WAR CLOUD

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 226, 12 June 1923, Page 7

BALKAN WAR CLOUD

OUTLOOK MORE THREATENING AS RESULT OF BULGARIAN REVOLUTION 1 The overthrow of the Stambouliski Government in Bulgaria has made the outlook in the Balkans more threatening. The Kemalists’ example in tearing up the Treaty of Serves and using the sword as an instrument of negotiation is said not to have been lost on the Bulgarians, and the revolution has aroused considerable anxiety in Allied circles. ir TTLZGK APH—PBEIB ABBOOTATTTT -CoPTßiawr.

(Rec. June 11. 7.45 p.m.) London, June 11. z. i The “Daily Chronicle’s” Pans correspondent says:—The overthrow of M. 'Stambouliski, Bulgaria’s peasant Premier-Dictator, has brought a fresh ■ war in the Balkans appreciably nearer. 'M. Stambouliski followed a policy of ' peace and tranquillity and blindly obeyed the Allies’ behests, relying upon their promise not to forget Bulgaria s claim for an outlet to the Aegean. But .. the Allies were busy trying to placate , the Kemalists at Lausanne and overlooked Bulgaria. The Kemalists example in tearing up the Treaty of 1 (Sevres and using the sword as an instrument of negotiation has not been lost upon Bulgaria’s peasant propne>tors, from whom the army is drawn. It was too much to expect that Bulgaria would not prefer defiance to pas- - pive obedience after seeing the results ' of the Turks’ example. This is exactly what happened. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says the Bulgarian re- * volution has aroused considerable anxiety in Allied, and particularly Little Entente, circles. “There may have been two opinions at Home with regpect to M. StambouHski’s merits, but his friendliness for the Western Powers is unquestioned. That Stambouliski should succumb to a combination of the old bourgeois War Party, the Intelligonsia, and the Macedonian and Thracian Reactionary Committees jugurs ill for the future of peace in the Near East, especially when the Turks are more arrogant than ever, for co-operation betweetn the Bulgarian militarists, the Macedonian Comitadjis, and the Kemalists is undoubted. On the contrary, M. Stambouliski recently rejected a proffered Turco-Bulgarian Alliance. Though Professor Zancoff’s Ministry may genuinely desire to carry out the Peace Treaties, the fact remains that the overwhelming majority of the bourgeois leaders axe Germanophiles. and Ferdinand’s creatures may soon he intriguing with the Turks and Magyars.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FEARS OF CIVIL WAR OPPOSING SIDES ABOUT ; EQUAL (Rec. June 11. 7.45 p.m.) Lausanne, June 10. M. Theodorff, the chief Bulgarian delegate, fears that civil war will break ' out m Bulgaria, as the opposing sides. Ve approximately equal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

HOW THE GOVERNMENT WAS OVERTHROWN AIMS OF NEW CABINET OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE ' London, June 10. The Bulgarian Minister in London received to-day the following communique from Sofia: — “The Stambouliski Cabinet is overthrown, and a new Cabinet has been formed by Professor Zancoff, consisting of representatives of all the Opposition parties, including the Socialists, but not the Communjsts. The change took place without any disturbance, and perfect order prevails throughout the country. The formation of the new Ministry has provoked much en- \ thusiasm ' “The Ministry has assumed office to ■ecure the internal pacification of the jcountry, which has been exposed to changes for a long time, causing constant anxiety. The former Governrment’s anti-constitutional policy has thus been condemned by the whole of publio opinion. The realisation of a ) lawful regime and constitutional liber- : ties will be the new Government’s first . aim, and in this it will have the nation’s unanimous support. “The new Government’s foreign policy is inspired by the firm and specific resolve of all classes, and will tend to the uplifting of Bulgaria’s good name i before the world through a steady and loyal attitude towards the continued observance of the Peace Treaties and the establishment of still more friendly relations with the neighbouring Balkan Stares.” The “Morning Post’s” Belgrade correspondent says the revolution was carried out at 3 o’clock on Saturday morning. It was led by General Lazaroff, president of the League of Reserve Officers, and was supported by the active officers of the garrisons. The revolutionaries entered Sofia, killed the Prefect, and occupied the public buildings one after the other. All the exMinisters, except Stambouliski, the Premier, who was in the country, were immediately arrested. Tho correspondent adds that King Boris swore in the new Ministry, which / includes Radicals, Democrats,- Liberals, Socialists, and neutrals. Tho real aim of the Ministry is to restore order and make possible the economic restoration of the country. Professor Zancoff has called new classes to the colours, and has proclaimed a state of siege. Military patrols are travelling around Sofia in armed cars. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENTHUSIASM FOR NEW MOVEMENT Vienna, June 10. Reports state that the Bulgarian revolution was carried out without Macedonian assistance, solely by the army and bourgeoisie, who overpowered the police and compelled the King to dismiss the Cabinet. Thirty persons were killed. All the members of M. Stambouliski’s Ministry were arrested.

Great enthusiasm for the new movement has swept over all classes in Sofia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF FIGHTING London, June 10. The latest advices state that M. Stambouliski, tho Bulgarian Premier, is not among the arrested Ministers. ■ Ho was absent in the country at the j time of the coup, and it is _ reported 1 that he is endeavouring to stir up the peasants to march on Sofia. Unconfirmed reports from Belgrade state , that fighting has started in several • parts of Bulgaria, and that there have i been many killed and wounded. A j telegram from a Sofia correspondent i says tile Parliament has dissolved, and ■ that the Ministers arrested by the • Stambouliski Government have been liberated. —Reuter. AGRARIAN RISINGS REPORTED TROOPS DISPERSE ARMY OF PEASANTS U ' (Rec. June 11, 10.30 p.m.) London, June 11. A Sofia message dated yesterday states that agrarian risings are reported in several large villages. At Radomir, M. Boteff. ex-President of the Sobranje, started at the head of five thousand peasants for Sofia, but troops intercepted and dispersed them. Tho official version of Mr. Stambouliski’s position is that he is supported by several hundred Agrarian Guards and villagers and is fortifying Slavovitza. which is besieged by troops. The latter arc being heavily reinforced. and as they are supplied with artillery and machine guns it is anticipated that the ex-Premier’s capture is a matter of only a short time. Are rests of the leading Agrarians and additional Deputies continue, but a thousand captured Agrarian Guards have been released. —“The Times.”

EX-PREMIER’S MANY ENEMIES

NEW CABINET TO RESPECT PEACE TREATIES

(Reo. June 11, 8.45 p.m.) Paris, June JI. M. Stambouliski had many enemies, including the whole of the Bulgarian Intelligensia and the friends of the ox-

I’remier, M. Radoslavoff, who are prepared to go to great lengths to prevent the exposure of earlier scandals. Officers retired after the war also have been working for re-establishmnt, and since the downfall of M. Stamboulski they have again donned uniform. Finally the Macedonian Committee used their organisation to bring about a change of Government. The new Cabinet announces that all peace treaties will be respected and Bulgaria’s obligations arising from tho war will be carried out. Daneff. Malinoff, General Adieff, and Geshoff. have been released from prison.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • STAMBOULISKI ARRESTED PROBABLE ACTION BY JUGO-SLAVIA (Rec. June 11. 7.45 p.m.) London, June 11. Private advices from Caribrod, via Belgrade, state that Stambouliski was arrested at his country homo. The Jugo-Slav Government views the revolution gravely and will take dlsplomatio steps against .the possible restoration of Ferdinand, which would create complications in tho 'Balkans. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.