It is better to wait and see what Turkey really
means, but our suspicion is that the alarm is a little exaggerated. The Sultan will run a great risk if he enters South Bulgaria, for the Regents will fight, and call Macedonia to arms. It is more probable that Germany and Austria; having agreed that Russia may do anything except, occupy, Bulgaria, the Sultan has con- sented to that arrangement also, and has agreed to assist the Czar in applying pressure at Sofia. If the Regents yield and disappear, the two Powers will form a: new Government ; but if they do not, and persist in summoning the Sobranje, both will insist upon the election of the Russian candidate—probably Prince Nicholas of Montenegro— under penalty of a joint occu- pation. The Sobranje may assent, the Bulgarians believing they can manage any Prince ; and in that case, the pride of the Czar, who will then appear victorious, will for a time be i soothed. If, however, the interference of Turkey irritates the Sobranje—as is quite possible, the Bulgarians not having forgotten Battik—and the Deputies elect a candidate of their own, the Czar will have no alternative but occupation. He cannot employ Turkey as an instrument, for Slav feeling will not allow Mussnlmans to reconquer Slays.
