THE TOWN THE RUSSIANS THREATEN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6307, 3 November 1915, Page 4

THE TOWN THE RUSSIANS THREATEN.

BULGARIA'S CHIEF BLACK MSA ' POET. ' Mr 8. H. Head> of the Weekly Press Staff, who knows the country well, supplies us with the following description of Varna (says the Christchareh Evening Varna is already threatened by a Busßian fleet, and Mr Head suggests the possibility of a Russian force landing there, under the Grand Duko Nicholas, whom the Czar said had important duties pending in the south. Mr Head writes:—

Bulgaria possesses two seaports on the Black Sen, Varna and Bourgas, the former being the principal one. They lay about 50 miles apart, counting as the crow flies, but the only connection between the two places is by the sea. About 60 years ago Varna was the base of the English army in their military against Bussia during the Crimean War, aud now, apparently, it seems as if the tables are about to be turned by Russia acting against Bulgaria, for whose independence from Turkey Russia fought in 187$. Thon Britain sympathised with Turkey; now she is with Bussia against Both Turkey and Bulgaria—such is the whirligig of time.

Varna is a bay or open roadstead, exposed to the violent winds that prevail in the Black Sea. The port itself is protected by a breakwater and some quays which give shelter from the winds; but still a large number of the ships lie in the roadstead instead of inside the breakwater, and are lightered in tho stream.

The port duos go to swell the Government funds, and the town of Varna pro (its in nowise from them, except in so fur as trade.is fostered through its connection with the port. The town has a population somewhere in the regiini ol 30,000, and is the principal watering place of Bulgaria. There is a railway connection with Rustchuk, and possibly others built during the last few years. Originally the place was a Turkish viiayot, and the population is still largely Turkish; though the Mohammedans have been moving away from the district owing to tho differences in their faiths.

The municipality of late years has rebuilt upon the sites of the old Turkish dwellings, which were little better than hovels, and erected in their places modern dwellings and broad thoroughfares.

The new town looks out upon tho sea, and already there is a fine cathedral of the Greek Church, besides general and public buildings. The old Turkish quarter still remains, and though very picturesque to look at from an artist's point of view, yet it has a very squalid and dirty appearance. The general inhabitants mostly are dressed in the Turkish costume, except the merchant and professional classes, who prefer the ordinary European garb. Life is still somewhat primitive there, waggons drawn by oxen and asses with panniers hearing the utilities of everyday use. The flax-covered stalls dotted about the open squares with the melon as the principal article of sale, appear very quaint and picturesque, but the vendors look none too prepossessing—rather the opposite. The chief evidence of the prosperity of the town is seen iu the large number of handsome private dwellings, the architecture of which is fair, and the overhanging windows add to their attractivcnss.

King Ferdinand has built himself a summer residence upon the. headland about four miles north of the town. It has a fine aspect, overlooking the sea and coast. He is credited with the remark when building the place that the furniture he obtained from 'England wqs tho only money spont for which ho got the true virtue. On tho way to tho palace tho pedestrian passes the old English cemetery, wherein are buried the soldiers who fell in tho Crimean war. It is creditable to see that the place seems cared for and in good order, a great contrast to the usual Turkish cemetery, whose headstones arc at all angles ot her than the perpendicular, most being flat, whilst somo find their way outside and become kerbstones for the gutters in the main roadway.

The. country in the hinterland of the town is mostly undulating, and has been likened by some travellers to the South African veldt, in its apparent solitude and monotony. . There is this difference, however, that everywhere there are cultivated fields growing wheat or pasturage for immense herds of stock.

The villages are mostly hidden, partly I from the desire to shelter from the winter winds or summer heat, and partly from the old hereditary instinct of the Turkish peasantry to keep as much out of sight as possible; out of sight out of mind, anil perhaps out of trouble. The country is well watered, and the villages appear prosperous. Agriculture is the chief industry, though the methods of farming are very primitive. What ploughing is done is performed by means of the ox-drawn plough, but mostly the land itself doos the work while the peasant looks on. The chief exports' consist of corn, wool, tallow, butter, choese, hides, flax, anil timber, and all this passes through the port of Varna to the outside world.

The steamers plying to the port arc mostly British, but all these have been stopped owing to the deadlock at the Dardanelles.

Within the last few day.; we hear of a iiussian squadron threatening the town, ami what tho future has in store for Varna and Bulgaria generally, no one can prophesy with safety, and the fortunes of war will decide once again for this troubled land.