THE BULGARIAN CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 5

THE BULGARIAN CRISIS.

RUSSIA'S ACTION.

SPEECH BY LORD SALISBURY.

[press association.]

St. Petersburg, February 24. The Messenger Official, in an article on the Bulgarian difficulty, says the Berlin Treaty is the only guarantee of the stability of the Balkan States, and that the assumption of the throne of Bulgaria by Prince Ferdinand is contrary to the conditions of that Treaty The article goes on to say that Russia does not consider it necessary to conceal what action should be taken in the event of the removal of Prince Ferdinand ; that Bulgaria owes her existence to the efforts and sacrifices of Russia, who continues to sympathise with her in her sorrows and trials, solely desiring the welfare of her people. The article concludes by stating that Russia will wait the desire of Bulgaria for the restoration of relations between the two countries based on mutual confidence.

London, February 24. Replying in the House of Lords to a question from Lord Frederick Campbell, of Stratheden and Campbell, the Marquis of Salisbury expressed his opinion that the Bulgarian Government was working fairly well, and that the legal complications in connection with the election of Prince Ferdinand were not responsible for the present difficulty. The Berlin Treaty provided for the unanimity of the Powers in dealing with Bulgaria.. In this respect lie thought the Treaty would prove unworkable. Failing a settlement of the question now raised by Russia a conference of the Powers had been suggested, but such a course did not meet with his approval, as he feared it -would only accentuate the difficulty. In conclusion the Premier said lie hoped the difficulties would be overcome by diplomacy, as it would be a disgrace to Europe if war should arise over such a question. The North German Gazette states that the Porte is entitled to restore law and order in Bulgaria without the consent of the Powers.

St. Petersburg, February 23. No reply has yet been received to the note sent by the Czar to the Powers, urging the deposition of Prince Ferdinand.

_ St. Petersburg, February 25. It is believed that the Sultan of Turkey will not agree to inform Bulgaria that the election of Prince Ferdinand is illegal, and that lie will not comply with the Russian request unless the Powers direct him.

It is considered in Berlin and Vienna that the article in the Officii Messenger is intended to incite rebellion in Bulgaria, where the internal situation is already restless. The Czar agree to renounce civil and military agents in Bulgaria if Prince Ferdinand is removed from the Throne.

Berlin, February 25. The North Deutsche Zeitung states that Germany supports the Russian proposals in connection with affairs in Bulgaria, and considers that the Porte will also be compelled to support them.