QUEEN AS AMBASSADOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 85, 16 May 1914, Page 4

QUEEN AS AMBASSADOR.

ELEANORA OF BULGARIA TO TOUR AMERICA. Much mystery surrounds the visit -which Queen Eleanora of Bulgaria intends to pay the United States this '*Bummer. She is expected to arrive .there in May for a tour of the counv'tryj"but the reasons for her journey are unknown, and no official notice has -thus far been taken by the Washington Government of her Intentions. It is known that Queen Eleanora recently requested Mr C. B. Brown, . Commissioner to Bulgaria of the San fVaneisco .Exposition, .to act as her personal agent Suring her American tour, but he declined the offer. He is quoted as saying that the Queen explained to liim that the object of her journey was to refute the stories of Bulgarian atrocities during the Balkan wars, and to

secure American sympathy for the Bulgarians. This reason is looked on as absurd. Bulgarians in America. It is estimated that there are only 110,000 Bulgarians in the United States and. Canada, and America's attitude toward Balkan affairs is not of sufficient importance to justify Queen Eleanora's visit. The real reason, it is believed, is that Bulgaria is desirous of floating a large loan in the United States, and the Queen's visit is counted on by the Bulgarian Government to pave the way for successful negotiations with American financiers. Queen Eleanora will address a number of meetings in America, and her speeches, it is expected, will centre about the high state of civilisation in Bulgaria, and will intimate that Bulgaria's desire for full liberty and self-development is handicapped by the attitude of the European Powers who are suppressing her. It is reported that the Bulgarian Finance Minister may accompany the Queen, but it would not cause surprise if he came after she has done the pioneer work, or sent a confidential agent to conduct negotiations with the Wall Street magnates. If these conjectures are correct, it is believed that Queen Eleanora's visit will be the first effort of a modern queen to act as publicity agent for her country. Her journey to America is not the first made by a king or queen. King Kalakaua of Hawaii visited the United States about forty years ago, and subsequently Queen Kapiolani of Hawaii also toured America. Both received royal honours.

Dom Pedro, the Emperor of Brazil, and his Empress were special guests of General Grant in America in 1876.

Queen Eleanora's visit, however, will be the first ever paid to America by a European king or queen.