believed that the Turks, who are deeply irritated by the
approaching loss of their ascendency in Macedonia, and who are trying to begin a diplomatic struggle about the new gen- darmerie, will declare war on Bulgaria, and endeavour to punish her severely for the shelter she has afforded to the insurgents. The Bulgarians, who are not afraid of the Turks, are therefore arming, are purchasing artillery and cartridges in France and Germany, and hope by the early spring to be ready to resist any Turkish rush. The great difficulty on both sides is want of money, which is much more embarrassing, however, to Bulgaria than to Turkey, where during a war everybody is left unpaid, and all available supplies diverted to the purchase of munitions. The Bulgarians say that for a defensive war they have two hundred thousand tough soldiers ; but they are afraid that if they win they will reap no advantage from their victory. The Russians do not wish them to be aggrandised, or to see any Power take a decided lead in the Balkan Peninsula.
