THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 16

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

~"3> (Per Psess Association.) London, February §5.

In the <2<mrse of a speech in the Mouse of Lords, the Marquis of Salisbury said that a conference of the Powers on the Bulgarian question was unnecessary, and that diplomacy should suffice to bring about a settlement of the question. Lord Salisbury said, further, that it would be a disgrace to Europe if war resulted over such a'<\\iestion. St. Pktersbueg, February 22. In a Note to the Powers the Czar declares flhat the present position in Bulgaria is •dangeims to the peace o£ Europe, and the Smraedmte deposition-of Prince Ferdinand is •njrgttt The Czar promises that if Austria ■withdraws her objection to this course, the ■Russian forces on the Galician frontier shall be immediately withdrawn.

The Czar has addressed a Note to the Powers in which Russia requests Germany and Austria to advise the Sultan to demand that Prince Ferdinand, whom the Note characterises as an usurper^ shall leave Bulgaria. The Note does not imply that failing compliance with tho advice recourse will be bad to arms.

February 23.

It is understood that the Russian troops on the frontier will be increased by 100,000 men in about a rnoulh.

The Messenger Official, in an article on the Bulgarian question, states that Prince Ferdinand's presence and acts at Sofia are a distinct violation o£ the Berlin Treaty, and all that Russia seeks to •do is to iuduce the Powers to both declare the treaty inviolable and bring the Sultan of Turkey to inform Bulgaria that the election of Priuce Ferdinand is illegal, and that he is merely a robber of power. It concludes by asserting that Russia rejects the idea of forcibly restoring her legal status in Bulgaria.

February 21. There has been a heavy fall in Russian securities mi Continental bourses.

No reply has yet been received to the Note sent by the Czar to the Powers urging the deposition of Prince Ferdinand.

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 he will not comply with the Russian request unless the Powers direct him.

It is considered in Berlin and Vienna that the article in the Official Messenger is intended to incite a rebellion in Bulgaria, where the internal situation is already restless.

The Czar agrees to renounce civil and military agents in Bulgaria if Prince Ferdinand is removed from the throne.

February 28.

It is reported in diplomatic circles here that General G-hilka, Minister Plenipotentiary of Roumania at St. Petersburg, is to be recalled, owing to the critical condition o£ affairs between the two countries in relation to Bulgaria. It is also considered that the Minister's position is untenable at St. Petersburg if it is true, as reported, that Roumania has joined the Triple Alliance. Kngland and Italy are asking Russia to define her future intentions with regard to Bulgaria.

Rome, February 23.

The massing of French troops on the frontier is causing some alarm here, and is being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies. Sofia, February 22. Twenty-seven trains, with Russian troops, entered Bessarabia yesterday.

February 28.

The anniversary of the 27th birthday of Prince Ferdinand was celebrated yesterday by a State banquet. In the course of a speech on the occasion, Prince Ferdinand made a strong appeal to Bulgarians for their support in the present crisis.

Berlin, February 2d.

In an article dealing with the Bulgarian question, the Ncrth German Gazette says that the Porte is entitled to make good any legal defects in the election of Prince Ferdinand to the throne of Bulgaria without the consent of the Powers. Constantinople, February 26.

M. Nelidoff, the Russian Ambassador, has handed to the Porte a note from the Czar setting forth that Russia considers the olection of Prince Ferdinand to the Bulgarian throne as illegal, and stating that she is supported in this view by Germany and France.

(Special to Peess Association.) London, February 22.

In his speech on the Address-in-Reply, Mr Gladstone said that the party which he led did not desire that the Government should prematurely disclose what action they were taking in consequence of the disturbed state of Europe ; but he hoped that England would refrain from engaging in war unless the real interests and the true honour of Great Britain demanded it. He expressed sorrow at the serious illness of the Crown Prince of Germany.

The Right Hon. W. H. Smith stated that at the present time tho most cordial relations existed between England and France. It is officially denied that Belgium has joined in the Alliance. Count N. Robilant, the new Italian Ambassador, arrived here yesterday, and to-day presented his credentials to the Marquis of Salisbury. In doing so he assured his lordship of the peaceful desire of the Italian Government.

Lieutenant-general Angus Yon Werder, Governor of Berlin, who has the reputation of being very closely in the confidence of the Emperor of Germany, is at present on a visit to the Czar. The visit is regarded as possessing great political significance, although its precise object has not been allowed to transpire. Lieutenant-general Yon Werder is also in high favour with the Crown Prince of Germany.

It is stated in St. Petersburg that the Powers are inclined to reply to the Czar's Note in respect to the Biigarian question to the effect that the deposition of Prince Ferdinand, as suggested by Russia, would only lead to i'resh complications in the future, whilst it would achieve no good result in the meantime.

The Italian War Department is taking active measures to increase the army and militia, consequent on the action of France in massing large numbers of troops on the ftt&llan frontier. February 24. Replying in the House of Lords tola question from Lords Stratheden and Campbell, the flifarquis of Salisbury expressed the opinion that the Bulgarian Government was working fairly well, and that legal complications in connection with the election of Prince Ferdinand were not responsible for the present difficulty. The Berlin Treaty provided for unanimity of the Powers in dealing with Bulgaria, and in this respeot he thought the Treaty would prove unworkable. Failing a settlement of the questions now raised by Russia, a conference of Powers had been suggested ; but such a course did not meet with his approval, as ifc would only accentuate the difficulty. In conclusion, the Premier said he hoped the difficulties would be overcome by diplomacy. February 26. The European press doubt the peaceful assurances put forth by Russia, as another division of infantry is advancing in the direction of the western frontier. The North Deutsche Zeitung states thai Germany supports Russian proposals in connection with affairs in Bulgaria, and considers that the Porte will also be compelled to support them. St. Petersburg, February 24.

The Messenger Official, in an article on the Bulgarian difficulty, says that the Berlin Treaty is only a guarantee of the stability o£ 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 ib necessary to conceal what action should be taken in the event of the removal of Prince Ferdinand ; and that Bulgaria owes her existence to the efforts and sacrifices of Russia, who continued to sympathise with her in her sorrows and trials, solely desiring the wellfare of her people. The article concludes by stating that Russia will await the desire of Bulgaria for the restoration of relations between the two countries based on mutual confidence.

February 27.

There lias been a renewal of Russian military transport operations interrupted in January by the heavy fall of snow, and Russian troops are now massing in large numbers at Pinazong. Their presence at this place is regarded as a menace to the city of Cracow, which has a population of G6,000. Ifc was the ancient capital of Poland, and is situated just within the Galician frontier.

February 28.

Replying to the request of England and Italy thai Russia should define her intentions with regard to Bulgaria, the Czar has explained that he never approved of a Romanist ruler in Bulgaria.

Constantinople, February 27

M. Nelidoft, Russian Ambassador, has formally demanded in the name pf the Czar that the Sultan shall insist on the deposition of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria. Sofia, February 27.

Prince Ferdinand has announced that he is perfectly willing to retire from the occupation of the Bulgarian throne if the Powers can unanimously agree to the nomination of another ruler who shall be acceptable to the people of Bulgaria.