BULGARIA: Another Tragi-Comedy

Act I saw Colonel Krastitch, Yugoslavian Military Attaché, being badly ” beaten up ” by three unidentified men. From Sofia, the Bulgarian Government telegraphed to the Yugoslavian Government at Belgrade its sincere regrets, stating that the deed had been executed by political scoundrels to embarrass the Government.

Act II is in Belgrade. The Government, not unmindful of Signor Benito Mussolini’s successful little coup against the Greeks (TIME, Sept. 3, Oct. 1), rebuffed the apology and sent an ultimatum in two parts to Sofia:

1) Demands to be accepted within 48 hours: a) The Bulgarian Government to present its excuses and regrets to the Yugo-Slav representative in Sofia; b) The Bulgarian Minister of War to express his personal regrets to the Yugo-Slav Military Attaché; c) A detachment of 250 Bulgarian soldiers with a flag to render honors before the Yugo-Slav Legation.

2) Demands without a time limit: a) Punishment of guilty parties when found; b) Payment of indemnity— amount to be fixed by the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

The Yugo-Slavian press backed up these demands and to a moderate extent reflected the animosity of the people to the Bulgars. The Novosti said: ” We ought to go find and punish the guilty parties ourselves. We lost a chance when Stambuliski was assassinated, but assassination and political aggression have become systematic in Bulgaria. We cannot remain indifferent, now that it is a question of the attempted assassination of our representative.”

Act III shows the receipt and acceptance of the Yugo-Slavian note. In reply to Belgrade it was made clear that the Bulgarian Government in no way considered itself responsible for the outrage. Official comment added that Bulgaria was obliged to bow to superior force.

Act IV took place at Sofia. A company of soldiers bearing the Bulgarian national flag marched to the gate of the Yugo-Slavian Legation. The regimental band played the Yugo-Slavian national anthem and the soldiers saluted the Yugo-Slavian flag. M. Rakitch, Yugo-Slavian Minister to Bulgaria, and his staff, stood on the porch and watched the proceedings, which lasted ten minutes, with evident satisfaction.

It was understood that the Bulgarian Government had also carried out the remaining conditions as set forth in the 48-hour ultimatum.