N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1887.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 777, 21 January 1887, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1887.

It is said that, when Prince Alexander consulted Prince Bismarck as to whether he should accept the throne of Bulgaria, the German Chancellor advised him to do so, saying that in later life his reign would be unjoli souvenir. Perhaps as events have turned out the phrase was hardly an appropriate one. Prince Alexander’s remembrance of his reign will be one of hard work, fighting, intrigue, and humiliation. On the other hand he surprised his subjects and the rest of Europe by his display of patriotism and of high qualities as a statesman and a soldier. In modern times many princes have been set to rule over nations to which they were alieD, and it is not too much to say that no other has had such opportunities, or used the opportunities so well, of identifying himself with the nation which has adopted him. His very success has been the cause of his ruin. The influence of Russia in a discontented province of the Turkish Empire was unbounded but when that province became a virtually independent principality under a Government which suited the people, that influence fast waned. Russia saw that the more contented the Bulgarians were with their condition, the less likely were they to appeal to her, and hence came these intrigues which resulted in the kidnapping and dethronement of the Prince. A book recently published, entitled “ The Bulgarian Struggle for Independence,” written by Major von Huhn, a German officer, throws much light on Bulgarian politics. The autlior was war correspondent of the Cologne Gazette during the war between Servia and Bulgaria. He had visited the latter country before, and had no admiration either for the people or the Prince. Very soon, however, after his arrival for the second time, his opinion changed, add he says he found that “ the devotion and perseverance with which the Bulgarians carried on their fight for liberty demand the fullest recognition and sympathy, whilst the attitude Prince Alexander, who is a wise statesman, a brave soldier, a remarkable man in every respect, commands admiration.” Major von Huhn s sympathy at first was with Russia, but when he saw the whole Bulgarian people roused, raw levies rapidly becoming soldiers, behaving gallantly in the field and beating their enemies, he was forced' to the conclusion that to side with Russia wa3 “ a matter of impossibility for any man of independent and honest views and gifted with a sense of justice.” He came to the conclusion that the Russian policy had been as shameless as it was selfish, and that the conduct of her agents bad been disgraceful. Even then the Bulgarians were alienated nearly as effectually as Prince Alexander, who had been the victim of “ systematic hostility and persecution.” Major von Huhn says that the revolution in Routnelia

originated in Russian intrigues, and that when Prince Alexander refused to become a Russian tool, Russia blew cold on the Roumelian committees of its own creation. The Roumelian leaders then determined to act for themselves, expecting that they would force Prince Alexander to side with them. The Prince, the author says, knew nothing of the intended revolution till three days before it took place. Ho sent messages to entreat the leaders to pause, but he was too late. Then, when the mischief was fairly begun, Prince Alexander put himself at the head of the movement, trusting to his influence with the Mahomedaus to prevent civil war between them and the .Bulgarians. He did not overrate his influence, as not only did they abstain from attacking the Bulgarians, but even sent 6000 volunteers to the aid of the Prince in the war with Servia. Prince Alexander showed his statesmanship in his relations with Turkey. He continued frankly to recognise the Ottoman suzerainty, and generally behaved in such a manner that the Porte did not think it necessary to interfere by force of arms. When Servia, on the pretence of claiming compensation for the disturbed balance of power, suddenly declared war, the Bulgarians were quite unprepared. All posts above the rank of captain had been held by Russians, who were recalled by the Emperor, and inexperienced officers had to be placed in the most important commands. There were few Bulgarian troops near the frontier, and in the absence of real strength the Prince had to resort to all sorts of devices to give the appearance of it till his forces could be gathered together. Prince Alexander himself was everywhere, directing and encouraging his soldiers, and his young officers displayed surprising energy and ability. According to Major von Huhn, who only confirms the opinion of other writers, the Serviaus proved themselves vastly inferior as soldiers to the Bulgarians, who drove the enemy from the country, and would have carried the war into Servia, but for a threat from. Austria. The achievements of Prince Alexander are such as never fail to win the hearts of a people. Personal eoursge is perhaps more valued than any other quality in a ruler, and, in addition, under his rule the country rapidly advanced in material prosperity. If the Prince had been let alone by his neighbours there appears to be every probability that Bulgaria would soon have become a prosperous and contented little State. This, however, is not what Russia wanted. She can fish much more easily in troubled than in calm waters. To stir up strife among her neighbours, in order that she may step in and reap the advantage, is her invariable mission.