THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7169, 13 September 1886, Page 2

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

THE BULGARIAN COUP D'ETAT-. The following ctble mceß^en, published in the Sydney Evening Newt, firs much fuller than the messages received in New Zsaland, and throw some interestiag light on the recent European occurrences :—: — The Earl of Roseberry, before he quitted tho Foreign Office under th© last administration, despatched a diplomatic note to the Russian Government, in which ha declared that England regarded the action of Russia in deolaring that Bstoum had ceased to be a free port wa9 a violation of the 59th artiole of th* Treaty of Berlin. Earl Roseberry's note further stated that the Treaty was binding by pledged sanctity on the part of all who signed the Treaty, and that having r«gard to the pledges which England had given, she could not recognise the action of the Russian Go.-ernmont in tho Batoum matter in any shape or form. In these .circumstances the Earl of Rosoberry called upon Russia for an explanation of her conduct. To that note M. de Giere, the Russiun Minister for Foreign Affaira, has replied. Fie states that he is painfully surprised at the action which ' England has taken in calling upon Russia for an explanation of an alleged violation of a treaty that has already been violated by others without action being taken. The reply is regarded in London as being a complete destruction of the Berlin Treaty, and the reply of M. de Giers is looked upon as being calculated to promote hostilities.

Now thai the first shock of sarpriee occasioned by the startling intelligence from Bulgaria is over, ,if is seen that everything connected with tha- Bulgarian coup d'etat points to what mast now be regarded' as a fact— that the Emperors of Germany and Austria were perfectly aware of the intentions of the Russian Emperor, and that their recent interview was in connection.with the matter. Turkey, being completely powerless, has addressed a circular to the leading European Governments, asking their advice. It is semiofficially atatad that the Marquis of Salisbury has declared chat it is not the intention of his Government to actively interfere, as Germany and Austria are more directly concerned than is Great Britain. A large number of Russian troops are expected to disembark immediately at Varna, the principal Bulgarian port on the Black Sea. It has transpired that Russian agents, acting ander the direct orders of the Czar, arranged tho details of the revolution. Prince Alexander preserved a calm and dignified demeanour throughout the trying ordeal to which he was subjected, sating that he found himself deserted by his pretended friends, and therefore unable to protect himself or the interests of his country.