THE BULGARIAN TROUBLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1824, 5 November 1886, Page 9

THE BULGARIAN TROUBLE.

(ReUTEB'S TELEGnAMS.) St. Petersburg, October 28. The Russian press, discussing affairs in Bulgaria, state that the troops on board the two Russian cruisers which arrived at Varna will occupy that town unless the Russian subjects who were implicated in the arrest ' and deposition of Prince Alexander are forthwith released from custody. St. Petersburg, October 30. The despatch of a Russian war vessel to Varna is for the purpose o£ demanding the ! release of all persons implicated in the arrest i and deposition of Prince Alexander. It is generally believed this foreshadows the Russian occupation of and entry into Bulgaria. Sofia, October 29. The Bulgarian Government has declared the city and the town of Varna in a state of siege, which General Kaulbars has demanded to have removed. •- - . Sofia, October 29. i The followers of M. Zankoff, one of the j authors of the arrest and deposition of Prince Alexander, are endeavouring to overthrow the Government of M. Stambouloff. It was in consequence of this movement that this city and the town of Varna were declared in a state of seige. General Kaulbars has renewed his complaints as to the manner in which the Bulgariaus who favour Russian views are being maltreated and coerced by supporters of the regency. The Russian agent lays much emphasis on the gravity of the situation in Bulgaria. Sofia, October 30. General Kaulbars has presented the Russian ultimatum to the Government. He complains of the treatment of Russian subjects in Bulgaria, and of the general I terrorism which prevails in the country. The ultimatum declares that if a sufficient answer be not returned within three days the Russian agent will leave Bulgaria, taking with him the consular staff; and that the Regency will beheld responsible for the consequences. The Bulgarian Government, in reply, requested General Kaulbars to supply them ! with the names of the Russian subjects who have been molested. October 31. In order to satisfy the demands of Russia the Government have ordered the release of the persons implicated in the arrest and deposition of Prince Alexander. General Kaulbars has evaded replying to the request of the Bulgarian Government that he should name the Russian subjects who have been maltreated and has retracted I the ultimatum he recently delivered, but he declares he will leave Bulgaria i£ the complaints made by Russian subjects are repeated. The Sobrange was formally opened to- | day. In the speech of the Regency which was somewhat brief, proposals were made for the election of a prince. Sofia, November 1. The Bulgarian Government has boen advised to yield completely to Russian demands, thus avoiding a Russian occupation of Bulgaria, and to declare their inability to deal with the situation. The onus of the position will then rest with the great Powers. The Grand Sobrange will be occupied for many days in verifying the legality of the elections. (Special to Press Association.) London, October 29. The Russian consul at Varna threatens to have that town bombarded. London, November 1. The Russian men-of-war at Varna have been reinforced, and ifc is said that 40,000 I Russian troops are at Odessa ready to embark. Austria is showing signs of not resisting a Russian occupation of Bulgaria. London, October 26 At the secret conference of the leaders of the Conservative party held in Bradford to-day ifc was strongly urged that the Government should a«; once take stepß to effectively oppose the aggressive design of Russia, and endeavour to frustrate Russia's contemplated occupation of St^mboul. On inquiry being made as to what wotfW jyje the hes't way of opposing

Russian aggression, it was argued that the policy of the Government should be to follow up the foreign policy of Lord Beaconsfield prior to his visit to Berlin with Lor J Salisbury to conclude the famous Berlin treaty. Lord Randolph Churchill, in his reply, went so far as to admit that the policy of the late leader of the Conservatives should be followed where practicable, but ho went on to argue that the changed condition of affairs required a great modification in the cardinal principles of the Beacousfield policy.