§ EARL DE LA WARRI rise to ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government can give any information with regard to the alleged abdication of the Prince of Bulgaria, and the steps which have been taken by the European Powers?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (The Earl of IDDESLEIGH)My Lords, I do not know that I can give any further information with regard to the abdication of the Prince of Bulgaria than what has appeared generally in the public newspapers. The communications we have received are very much in the same sense, and they show that at the last, the Prince, having satisfied himself by inquiries which he made that his position in Bulgaria was one that he could not satisfactorily maintain, appointed a Regency, to whose hands he made over his dignity. He was received at and conducted from Sofia with great respect and with marks of great affection, and there is no doubt that the manner of his leaving the country was dignified and worthy of the great reputation which he had won for himself. This close to the incident is in worthy contrast to the terrible outrage which 1711 shocked so thoroughly the public mind. As to the future, I am not in a position at present to say anything. No doubt the arrangements that will have to be made in consequence of the abdication of the Prince will be made in accordance with the Treaty of Berlin, and with arrangements made subsequently at the Conference dealing with the matter; and I do not apprehend that there will be any advantage in entering into any speculations with regard to the course which may be taken.
§ Subsequently,
LORD STRATHEDEN and CAMPBELL, who had a Notice on the Paper, "To call attention to the occurrences in Bulgaria; and ask Her Majesty's Government, Whether they are yet prepared to make a statement with regard to them?" said, the noble Earl opposite (Earl De La Warr) had in some degree—in a manner which was exceedingly obliging—rather anticipated his Notice, and had succeeded in drawing a reply from the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He would in no way press the Question he desired to ask unless it seemed to the Government that it would be conducive to their policy to extend the statement which had been made. It was with no idea of embarrassing the Government that he had placed the Notice on the Paper.
§ THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGHI appreciate the courtesy of the noble Lord in not pressing his Question, and in the observations he has made. It is quite natural that there should be a desire that some words should be said in this House to show the interest taken in the recent occurrences in Bulgaria, and also to explain the position occupied by Her Majesty's Government. After what I have already said in presence of the House, I do not think it is necessary or desirable that I should go further into the matter at the present time. Very full accounts have been given in the newspapers of what has passed, and I am able to confirm the information they contain. We are now approaching the time when some arrangements will have to be made for the appointment of a Successor to Prince Alexander; but I think at the present moment it would be rather inconvenient than otherwise to make any further statement on the subject.