BULGARIAN AFFAIRS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 11415, 2 December 1886, Page 2

BULGARIAN AFFAIRS.

LONDON, Nov. 12. The threatening aspect of affairs in I the east is absorbing publio attention, and events lead, to the oonolusion that a crisis is fast approaching the explosive point. The relations between England and Russia have become more strained. The breach commenced with a speech delivered by Lord Bandoiph Churchill at Hereford, about six weeks ago, in I which he spoke oat boldly on the I question of foreign policy. The feeling of irritation then aroused in Russia has since b;en increasing, and has beea further heightened by a reference made by Lord Salisbury to foreign gold being used to stir up rebellion in Bulgaria.. The Czar is furious, and has wired to> Baron de StaSi, Hiissian Ambassador in England, to demand an explanation. Baron de Stag! waited on Lord Iddesleigh, Peotetary for Foreign Affairs, and there was a long and angry interview between them previous to the meeting of the Cabinet yesterday. Baron de Stag) used menacing language, and ! declared that cordiality was impossible when the Premier could use such language regarding a friendly Power, which was simply protecting her interests in a country freed from the Turkish. yoke by the expenditure of Bussian blood and money. Baron de Sta&l further declared that the BritishConsuls at Tirnova and Kustchuk, aud other principal towns in Bulgaria, had beea doing their utmost to thwart the Bussian. policy, and that the i nglish Government bad allowed their intervention to pass* unrebuked. Lord Iddesleigh replied that Great Britain had nothing to explain. England was anxious for peace, ) and had made many sacrifices to secure that end. He declared the Bussian assurances must be regarded with. doubt whilst General Kaulbars remain, ed in "Bulgaria, and whilst the 'i**ar publicly approved of his open interference in the affairs of that eoun.ry, " England," said Lord Iddesleigh, "i* perfeotly aware of t^e daily intrigues 06 M. ' Nediikoff, Ilussian Ambassador a.;. Constantinople. " The interview tennis ininaled abruptly, and it is reported that Baron de tftaQl hinted that he would leave England oa a prolonged absence unless more satisfactory assurances were given. The statements in the Press concerning the interview have occasioned much excitement, and the spirited attitude of Lord Iddesleigh is generally regarded with approval. One marked feature of the situation is ; tlio re-approachiaent oE Turkey and. England. After months of coquetting; the Sultan has definitely rejected the. treaties of M. Nedlikoff' that Turkey should join France in demanding the withdrawal ofEuglish troops fromEgyr.'t! The Sultan baa recently assured Sir. W.' Wiute, acting British Ambassador at Constantinople, that he values the British alliance above every other. The Sultan's conversion is partly attributable to an anonymous warning that Abdul Aziz's fate might be his, as the Russian leanings of the late Sultan were the, chief reason of liis murder.