The Truth About Bulgaria

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THE situation in Bulgaria is so complicated, and so many conflicting interests are involved, that it is probably impossible to make the truth perfectly clear to those not well acquainted with the Bulgarian people and the inner history of the country since the war. There are some points, however, which the friends of Bulgaria in America ought to understand. First as to M. Stambuloff. He was, undoubtedly, the strongest man that Bulgaria has produced, and his foreign policy was unexceptionable. He cultivated the friendship of Turkey and Austria, without yielding anything of the rights of Bulgaria, and he steadily resisted all the intrigues of Russia. He hung and shot the revolutionists and assassins sent into the country by the Slavic societies without mercy, and spared no one who plotted against the freedom of Bulgaria. He had the highest reputation in all the courts of Europe. Even at St. Petersburg, and until Prince Ferdinand turned against him, his power was unshaken. But as a man he was uneducated, corrupt and grossly immoral. In his internal administration of the country he was an unmitigated despot and ruled by fear through agents, many of whom were of the lowest character. The elections were never free, and the courts obeyed his orders. The great majority of the people hated him and rejoiced at his fall; they did not realize that they owed to him more than to any one else the independence of their country. The friends of Bulgaria who did realize this. and who knew that the people were not ready for self government, were inclined to tolerate and excuse his despotism on the ground that he was a patriot, and that his arm was the only one strong enough to defend the country against Russia. We did not approve, but we used whatever influence we had to induce him to modify his system. In spite of his faults we regretted his fall, as we now still more regret his death. M. Stoiloff is a man of totally different character. After graduating at Robert College he took the highest honors at Heidelberg and Leipzig, and is the best educated man in Bulgaria. He was the most intimate friend and trusted counselor of Prince Alexander, and is personally known and respected at all the courts of Europe, as a statesman and a gentleman. In quiet times he would be an ideal Prime Minister. He is a firm believer in Constitutional government, the most eloquent speaker in the country, thoroughly honest, and a devoted patriot. He has several times sacrificed his personal interests and opinions to become a Minister under M. Stambuloff, when he felt that the interest of the country demanded it; and there is not the slightest reason to believe that he had anything to do with the murder of M. Stambuloff. On the contrary, he did all in his power to get him out of the country, when he asked permission to go. But he is not the masterful man that M. Stambuloff was, to override all legal and illegal opposition to his plans and rule by force. His political position is also weak. He has not been a politician under Prince Ferdinand and has but a small personal following. When called upon to form a ministry after the fall of M. Stambuloff. he was forced to form a coalition ministry, and half the members of it are almost as much opposed to him as they were to M. Stambuloff. This was what Prince Ferdinand desired, as it increased his personal influence; and most of the blunders committed of late have been due to him. His one desire has been to secure the official recognition of his position by Russia. This was of no particular advantage to Bulgaria, but the Prince was not contented with his anomalous position in Europe. He could not endure to be officially ignored, so, as soon as he had rid himself of M. Stambuloff, he set about making friends with the philo-Russians in Bulgaria and intriguing at St. Petersburg. A general amnesty was granted to all political offenders... -The Independent, Vol. 47 [1919]