Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7790, 9 November 1886, Page 4

The telegrams concerning the Eastern question are somewhat confused, but they all convey the impression that Russia is resorting to every device that could furnish a pretext for, and at the same facilitate, her occupation of the united principalities of Bulgaria andßoumelia. Having made her arrangements for taking possession of Varna, she ie now, according to previous hints of her movements, endeavouring to secure another harbour farther south, and has evidently selected Burghas, at the head of the gulf of that name, as the base of operations in that quarter. The conspiracy hatched by some of her agents in that town, reported in to-day's messages, was obviously meant to pave the way for the despatch of several men-of-war to that harbour preparatory to the landing of troops there as well as at Yarna so soon as her plans are ready for execution. The conspiracy seems to have been rather clumsily gone about; but though it was speedily suppressed by the Regency, the boldness with which it was effected was yet begotten of the knowledge the actors had of Russia's intention to occupy the place. The seizure of the Government offices, the arrest of the officials, tho disarming of the troops, and the proclaiming of a Russian protectorate over the district, all show that the coarse daring which this bespeaks have sprung from a conviction that the Czar would approve of such proceedings as furthering his ultimate purpose, namely, the command of that position with the view to invasion. The design thus disclosed signifies that Russia means to have a base of operations on each side of the Balkan range,—Yarna in the north, which would give her command of Bulgaria, and Burghas on the south, which would give her control of Roumelia. Thus, slowly but firmly Russia is preparing to eifeot that occupation of united Bulgaria, and that advance towards Stamboul to which Bismarck has given his consent, in the selfieh expectation that this would lead to a war between that Power and Britain. Meantime the Bulgarian Regency, diagasted as they cannot help being with the inactivity and desertion of the other Powers, are said to be disposed to come to some understanding with Russia. It certainly would not be surprising if they did contemplate such a step, for a more disgraceful exhibition of selfishness and pusillanimity than that furnished by the majority of the European courts at the present time cannot well be imagined. Turkey's inactivity is incomprehensible, unless on the supposition that she has made up her mind, as Britain seems also to have done, to leave the two German Empires to reap the fruits of Russia's possession of the Balkans, and act in concert with Britain for the rendering of Constantinople impregnable, and direct her energies to the security of,her Asiatic possessions. Should this policy be adhered to, and the Bulgarians come to some understanding with the Czar, war may possibly be for a time averted, but the effect of a peace thus preserved will, contrary to expectation, be to the disadvantage both of Austria and Germany. This few would regret, considering the selfish tactics they have both been parties to, while tho suppression of Bulgarian

iborty, which these two Powers have done their utmoet to bring about, will secure for them maledictions from the friends of freedom all over the world. Bulgaria is not yet occupied, however, and may not be occupied by Russia.