24 MAY 1879, Page 2

The text of General Obratscheff's speech at Philippopolis has arrived,

and it is found that he did state publicly that the Sultan would be in no hurry to occupy the Balkans. More- over, a letter has been published from Prince Vogorides (Aleko Pasha), the new Governor-General of East Roumelia, in which he states that the Sultan and the Porte are so disposed with regard to the question of the Balkans, that " the dangers which alarm the population are purely imaginary." Prince Vogorides. adds :—" I am, of course, resolved never to appeal to any other bayonets than those of the province for the mainten- ance of order, and will, in case of not succeeding, abandon the arduous task which I have imposed upon myself. From my love to my fatherland, and from respect for the memory of my ancestors, I will not commit the mistake of arriving on the spot with a number of officials, but will choose even my servants from the people of the country." The Prince will enter Rou- melia in European costume, and never fails to remind Bulgarians that he is of their nationality and creed. In fact, it must be difficult for him to forget that whenever Lord Beaconsfield is overthrown, his chance of ruling the reunited Bulgaria is at least as good as that of Prince Battenberg. The latter is semi- royal, but the former is native.