Slike strani
PDF
ePub

AMONG THE PLAIN PEOPLE OF THE BALKAN ALLIES

designed to give the Bulgars a self-contradictory Constitution, apparently very democratic, but with the possibility of leaving extraordinary power in the hands of the King should he prove to be the willing agent of Russia. The articles were so drawn up that a deadlock in politics was likely, thereby inviting Russian intervention. When the first National Assembly - convened at Tirnova, it was composed of 213 Bulgarians, mostly peasants, who had had absolutely no experience in government. Military conscription and elementary education were made compulsory. All titles of nobility were prohibited. Freedom of the press was guaranteed. Prince Alexander of Battenberg, a nephew of the Russian Czar, was called to the throne. This young man, who was at that time serving as a Prussian officer at Potsdam, consulted Prince Bismarck, who ad

13

[graphic]

vised him to accept, adding Czar Frederick of Bulgaria attired in the costume

that a reign in Bulgaria

would at least be "a pleasant reminiscence."

of an Emperor of Byzantium.

After due formalities, Prince Alexander, amid great enthusiasm, took the oath to the Constitution at Tirnova on the 9th of July, 1879. But the Prince had been placed in an impossible position. His career, far from becoming "a pleasant reminiscence," rapidly grew more and more tragic. He found himself surrounded by Cabinet officers who were delegated from St. Petersburg. The arrogant Russian generals absolutely controlled the newly organized army,, and dictated their orders without any regard for Bulgarian feelings. The short boundary war with Servia, instigated by Russia, which ended with the complete defeat of the Serbs at

Slivinitza, aroused profound admiration in the hearts of the Bulgarians for their new King. For he showed reckless courage upon the field of battle, and soon came to be known as "the hero of Slivinitza and the champion of Bulgarian freedom." Baffled by his growing power and popularity, the Russian agents conspired to seize him secretly and deport him to Russia. This shameful plot was carried out in the dead of night. The Prince was hurried away under threats of assassination, across the Russian border. The expectation was that in the resulting chaos Russia would step in and assume control. But the St. Petersburg diplomats had failed to

[graphic]

Bulgarian infantry in camp practice before being sent to the front.

AMONG THE PLAIN PEOPLE OF THE BALKAN ALLIES

reckon with the patriot-statesman, Stambuloff, who was Speaker of the Bulgarian House and the embodiment of the new national spirit. He was "the Bulgarian Bismarck," and the entire nation rallied to his leadership. Prince Ferdinand, of Bourbon descent, was invited to the throne, and a policy of emancipation from Russian tyranny was openly followed. After the bitter experience of seven years under the Czar's autocracy, the Bulgarian peasants declared that they hated the Russians even more than the Turks.

The period from 1885 to 1912 has been one of free development, not without diplomatic hindrances and annoyances, but affording this little nation of mountaineers the first fair chance for industrial and educational advance. The result has been scientific development of the natural resources of the country and practical experience in self-government, which has given to the common people courage and self-control. The army has been steadily increased, and has been equipped with the most modern arms, no doubt with a premonition of a struggle with the Turks or Austrians.

But the failure of the historian rightly to interpret contemporary conditions is illustrated in the fact that one of the most observant English writers recently said that "the old feeling against the Turks has all but died away," and "the Bulgarian atrocities of 1876 have left no traces behind." What would he say of the battle of Lule-Burgas, when the Turks were hurled back in bloody defeat, or of the terrific bayonet assaults upon the Tchataldja forts? The period of

15

free growth and general prosperity has been made the means for extensive and secret preparations, as witness the recent war successes.

of

The new period upon which the Bulgarian nation has just entered is that of expansion. National ambition is at the root of this, although the desire to free the Christians of Macedonia is very strong, and the instinct of revenge no doubt plays a large part in the motives of the war. Bulgaria can scarcely expect to weld into an empire the other Balkan kingdom. But the annexation of the lion's share of Macedonia, and the humiliation Turkey will be sure to give this intrepid nation a dominant influence in the peninsula and a direct share in the future politics of Europe. Sir Frank Lascelles once expressed his judgment that the Bulgarians possessed more common sense than any other people he knew. This rare quality of common sense, which no doubt the Bulgars do possess in a much larger degree than any of their neighbors, will help them to work out a reasonable plan for economic expansion and national progress.

America has given to the Bulgarians two priceless gifts: the translation of the Bible into the vernacular and the educational inspiration of Robert College and the American College for Girls (now called Constantinople College.) The excellent translation of the Bible, made by a joint committee of American missionaries and native associates, all of them scholarly and experienced linguists, has wrought a strong influence in the renascence of the Bulgarian language.

[graphic]

Lesson of the Last Biennial

By Marie L. Walton

T

HE Eleventh Biennial of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, at which were present the accredited representatives of 800,000 American women that met in San Francisco in July of this year, furnished an object lesson of gigantic import to the thinking men and women of the country.

The delegates, alternates and their guests represented the wealth, culture and refinement of our land more definitely than they could be represented by an equal number of women gathered together for any other cause or from any source other than that of the Woman's Clubs. They were, as a rule, the heads of homes, and influen

Mrs. Percy V. Pennypacker, of Texas, elected
President of the Federation of Woman's Clubs.

tial in their respective localities with important duties to perform and responsibilities to carry, and it is reasonable to believe that they had made provision to the end that those duties and responsibilities were not neglected during their absence at the convention. That such an arrangement was possible to so large a number of women signifies a remarkable advance in civilization and sounds a new note of feminine progress, mental ability, general independence and trustworthiness.

The presence in a strange city of so many unescorted women was a tribute to the confidence that the American has in his wife and in the chivalry of his fellow countrymen.

Probably nowhere but in America could such safety have been assured. There was a quiet, effective dignity about the work of the convention that must have commanded the attention of any thinking man who followed its progress.

[graphic]
[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« PrejšnjaNaprej »