KING FERDINAND'S POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16542, 16 November 1915, Page 2

KING FERDINAND'S POLICY

BULGARIAN OPPOSITION. PLAIN SIPEAKING AT HISTORIC INTERVIEW ' (From Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, September 23. The interview between King Ferdinand and tho political leaders of the Opposition last week in Sofia is the most important event in tho history of Bulgaria for many months past. ' The Sofia correspondent of the Paris Temps .sends an account of the proceedings which took place in the presence of the heir'to the throne, and of the King's political secretary. Each of the leaders addressed the King in turn. The audience lasted two hours and a-half, and comment in Bulgaria is forbidden. Tho Democratic leader (M. Malinof) spoke first. The present Government was, he said, entering upon a dangerous path, which would probably lead to a catastrophe. The Government was seeking one of two things —either strict neutrality or else an allianco witli Germany. In the first case. Bulgaria' must become, liko Belgium, a lighting ground between tho Germans invading Serbia, and the Anglo-French, who would disembark in Macedonia. In the second case —that of a probable alliance with Germany—the Bulgarians would make enemies of the three Balkan peoples, and of the four great Powers. This would mean tho end of Bulgaria. A prudent Coalition Government was required. The Agrarian leader (M. Stamboliski) said that from a conversation he had had with the Prime Minister, he clearly gathered the impression that a catastrophe for Bulgaria was being prepared, and that course was, it was stated, being carried out with his Majesty's, approval. Whatever happened, the nation would hold the King personally responsible, as it held the Crown and the Government responsible for the disastrous results of the second Balkan war. A PERILOUS ADVENTURE. Tho Radical leader (M. Tsanof) said: "You must be well aware that you are entering upon the most perilous adventure this country has ever experienced. The hour is a decisivo one for_ the history of Bulgaria. You are placing this country and your own crown in the molting pot." He added that the seriousness of the position had caused him to depart from' the rule of the Radical leaders never to set foot inside the Royal Palace, and that fearing to say too much or too little, he had written down his speech. It would be a piece of "criminal folly" to set Bulgaria against her liberator, Russia. It would be a premeditated crime. The Populist leader (M. Guechof) contented himself with approving the declarations made by Messrs Malinof and Sltambolski, but thought the tone of the declaration was too strong. Finally, M. Danof spoke in favour of tho. immediate calling together of Parliament and of the formation of a Coalition Government. THE FUTURE OF BULGARIA.

The King replied at length in the senso already made public. Tho course taken with his full approval w£f,s, he said, with a knowledge of the position and in the best interests of the future of Bulgaria. Nothing would now cause him to swerve from tho path that had been chosen. His Majesty concluded by saying: "I havo listened attentively to all the advice you have given, and to the threats you have made. 1' will acquaint my Prime Minister 'with whirl; you have said, and ask him to take a note of your respective opinions in this grave matter." The King then entered into private conversation with each of tho ] political leaders in turn. Speaking informally, he said: "Now you insist very much that I should listen to the voice of tho Bulgarian people, but why have you, who spe:ik in the name of the people, hitherto avoided meeting me?" M. Stamboliski replied: "We had our motives for hitherto avoiding your Majesty, but the circumstances are changed, and we have come to try to provent another catastrophe falling on the country," Then the King asked M. Guechof why M. Stamboliski spoke in such a threatening manner. The Populist leader answered: "Sire, because there is no liberty of speech outside this palace, that is why we make bold to speak our minds here."