By Gregory Clark, September 26, 1914.

Toronto Archimandrate1 Says Bulgarians Are Looking to Great Britain to Save Independence Of the Small Nations From Victorious Russia – Bulgaria a Democratic Nation.

If the great war goes as it should go – in favor of the allies, a problem as great, if not greater than the struggle itself, will arise out of that much-troubled and troublous region, the Balkans. If the Germans are defeated, Austria will have to give back the territory it has taken from the Balkan States, and Russia’s insistent demands for a Mediterranean port may have to be accorded more than the usual attention they have had in the past.

The gravity of the situation may be gathered from the explanation of it given by the Archimandrate Theophilact, the Greek Orthodox priest-missionary for Toronto and the district about it.

“The feeling in the Balkans,” said the Archimandrate, “is first, pro-Russian, and second, pro-British. Russia comes first, because of the ties of Slav blood. Although there had been, previous to the war, some hard feeling between the Balkan States, it took but little time for them to agree on friendly relations with the allies, though menaced by Austria on their borders.”

“The complexity of the situation does not arise, however, until the issues of the war are considered. Bulgaria is the most important State, because of its progressiveness and its firm, immoveable policies. Now, Bulgaria has set forth these two issues:

“The powers must agree to the revision of the Bucharest Treaty, must agree to the formation of a Balkan League, giving Macedonia to Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina to Servia, Transylvania to Roumania, and Epeira to Greece; thus setting the States of the league on their old and sound basis.”

“Or, as the second issue, if the Bucharest Treaty is not revised, and there is no Balkan League, then Bulgaria, as the pivotal state, must form a strong alliance with those powers that most favor her national aspirations. And those powers, there is little doubt, will be Britain and France.”

“For, although the Balkans are now pro-Russian first of all, they see quite well the menace of Russia – the menace of a conquering Russia, empowered to make great demands, one of which may be an extension of her territory southward through the Balkans.”

They Look to Britain

To Britain, then, who does not want our territories, but who does want our independence, to checkmate the moves of other world powers, we look for our guarantee of liberty. In fact, we place utter confidence in Britain, because we feel sure Britain could do nothing else but guard our independence, to protect her in the Suez.

“We feel that while Britain is helping us, she is helping herself. Good! We say! That smacks of plain-dealing, of honesty. But Russia whispers to us of Pan-Slavism. And Germany and Austria pats us as a man pats a horse on the back preparatory to straddling it!

“We Bulgarians are what might be called realists! The business-like attitude of Britain appeals to us. Race ideals and race movements do not sway us. We are looking for real, material things. After centuries of being battered and torn and our garments apportioned, we cannot be blamed for seeking material good.

“And so,” said the archimandrate, “on my last visit to Sofia, I found English ideas uppermost. English is the principal study in the colleges. England’s history and politics usurp the public attention. I found myself in general respect because I spoke English. I had the entree to the best circles.

“It is somewhat disconcerting to me to see the extent of the ignorance in Europe and America regarding Bulgaria. Of course, the ‘atrocities’ printed largely during the Balkan wars were shown to be ignorant lies by the Carnegie report. But it is not generally known that women’s suffrage has a stronghold in Bulgaria, that not even the most inaccessible hamlet is without a school, that elections are as fair as in England-that the whole tone is utterly democratic.

Governed by the People

Why, the Greek Church in Bulgaria is governed by the people. From priest to bishop, the clergy is elected. For instance, I studied for the priesthood, and then, upon qualifying, I offered myself as candidate for one of the towns or churches. There is an election every four years. Bishops and more famous priests, however, are usually elected for life.

“In the Parliament of 205 deputies, 37 are Social Democrats, 14 are democrats, 47 are agriculturals, or representatives of the farmers.

“Our literature has only been on a firm foundation for about 100 years. Turkish influences were too powerful against it in preceding centuries. Even now our literature is profoundly influenced by Russian and French literature.”

Editor’s Note: This is just a news story by Greg after the first world war started, and before he signed up.

  1. The Archimandrite is a leader in the Orthodox Church. ↩︎