The situation has become more serious this week. It has
always been feared that whenever Russia was ready to give the signal, military disturbances would break out in Bulgaria ; and accordingly this week they have broken out in the frontier fortresses on the Danube. The details are most confused, for the Regents suppress messages, while the Viennese autho- rities admit only the facts they please ; but accounts from Bucharest have usually proved correct. According to these, Colonel Kristeff, Commandant of Silistria, on Saturday declared for Russia and a free Bulgaria. S01110 200 soldiers followed him, but the remaining 750 in the fortress, and 2,000 Reservists in the town, adhered to the Government. The Regents acted with energy ; troops were despatched from Shumla and Sofia ; and on their arrival, Colonel Krist eff left the town, and attempted to rouse the neighbouring villages. He failed, and on his return was shot, either in a skirmish or by an order, and Silistria returned to tranquillity. Ia Rustchnk, the rising was headed by the Sappers, and there was severe fighting ; but on Thursday, after the insurgent officers had been killed, the fortress submitted to authority. Events at Shumla and Widdin are still uncertain ; but it is clear that a general mili- tary insurrection in the fortresses was planned, and that it nearly succeeded. We think it will be found that the ring- leaders have been executed at once, to avoid complications with Russia, which, however, will come. Fighting in so many places will be held at St. Petersburg to presage anarchy ; the Czar cannot abandon men whose appeal is openly to him ; and a Military Council is now sitting to consider plans for the occupation of Bulgaria. That would be war.
