NEWS OF THE WEEK • T HE Standard of Wednesdaypublished, in
a prominent place, the following sentence :—" We have reasons for believing that Germany has been sounded with regard to Prince Alex- ander's return to Bulgaria, in case he were re-elected by the Great Sobranje, and that Prince Bismarck replied, that if Russia re- fused to put forward or to accept a candidate for the Bulgarian Throne, which could not remain vacant for an indefinite period, she would not be justified in opposing any further Prince Alexander's return." This statement—which, if true, would imply that Prince Bismarck would insist on Russia allowing the Sobranje to elect a Prince—was at once telegraphed to Berlin, where it excited so much attention that by 11 a.m. an official denial had reached London. The denial may or may not be true ; but it is certain that the German Chancellor did not wish the statement to reach St. Petersburg uneontradicted. His object is evidently to soothe the Czar ; but it remains to be seen whether concessions will help him to his end.
