• NEWS OF THE WEEK
RUMOURS are coming in from Sofia of an approaching movement for the fusion of the two Bulgarias. It is stated that delegates from Bulgaria and East Roumelia have met, and have agreed to hold themselves in readiness for a signal; that 16,000 rifles have been distributed, and that Bulgaria has lent East Roumelia £40,000. It is also as- serted that Priuce Alexander has declared the situation unen- durable, and that either he must supersede Aleko Pasha, or Aleko Pasha must supersede him. All these stories, except that of the loan, lack confirmation; but it is possible that should Greece be compelled to declare war to obtain her territories, Bulgaria may seize her opportunity. With Greece, Bulgaria, Eastern Roumelia, and Montenegro in the field, and Macedonia in insurrection, the Porte would be hardly pressed, more espe- cially if the Italian Volunteers began to swarm across the Adriatic. It is believed that fear of a combined movement of this kind has had its effect in inducing the Porte to hint that it may yet cede Jannina without fighting. It is quite possible that the Pashas, who are hopeless about Europe, may witness the union of the Principalities without resistance. They are confident that, united or separate, they can obtain no cash from them, and they want the revenue, which, according to the Times Correspondent, is coming in pretty freely from Asia, for other purposes than war. They will be the more inclined to peace, because the Powers will not be inclined to see the Eastern Ques- tion reopened, in order to prevent an arrangement which has been inevitable from the first. The only thing to be regretted is that Bulgaria will not have a port on the .Egean, which would enable Great Britain to act as her protector against Russia.
