The loans due to Russia for the cost of the occupation

The loans due to Russia for the cost of the occupation, and to the Porte in respect of the tribute in arrear, due from Eastern Roumelia at the time of her annexation to Bulgaria, are very nearly paid off, as the last instalments become due within a couple of years. The total amount of the other loans are being rapidly diminished by the operation of the Sinking Funds.

The largest item in the estimated expenditure of the year is the sum allotted to the Ministry of War, amounting as it does to close upon £900,000. Considering that there has been no call for military preparation in Bulgaria during the past year, and no likelihood of any such call being made within the present year, this amount may seem large. Examination, however, will show that a very large portion of this expenditure is exceptional. It is the custom of the Government to accompany the Budget with very full explanations as to the modes in which the sums allotted to the various Ministries are to be expended; though, as a matter of fact, each Ministry has power—without the previous consent of the Chamber—to modify the distribution of the special funds voted for its use. The explanations given in connection with the Budget are understood to represent the sums which, in the opinion of the Minister responsible for the outlay, are likely to provide fully for every kind of expenditure in his department; but they are not considered to be absolute engagements precluding the employment of funds designed for one purpose on some other and more pressing object.

I am from the generation that witnessed communism. I had my good moments, I had my fears but I love Bulgaria the most. Many interesting things can be learnt and seen on a communist Bulgaria tour. Definitely, this is something to be experienced – a tour in an ex-communist country.

The military expenditure

The military expenditure is divided under several heads. The pay list amounts to ,£427,312; canteens, barracks, and uniforms come to £312,000 ; sundry charges, comprising an infinite variety of expenses, from officers’ travelling expenses to subscriptions towards military clubs, reach a total of £64,600. Expenses of administration are £60,000; arrears due on last year’s account, and cost of new buildings, contribute £15,000; and £17,599 is set apart for the reserve fund. There has been no material change in the War Budgets during the seven years which have elapsed since the war with Servia, the largest expenditure being £956,325 in 1890, and the smallest £824,657 in 1891. In addition to the amounts voted for the War Department in the ordinary Budgets, supplementary credits have been granted in well-nigh every year, the funds for which have been provided partly out of the proceeds of the various loans, partly out of the annual surpluses. Last December the Sobranje voted an extraordinary credit of £58,000 for the purchase of repeating rifles. The whole of the exceptional expenditure required to place the army in an effective state is now pretty well completed ; and if there is no disturbance of the peace, a very material reduction in the military estimates will, it is expected, be made in a year or two. The Bulgarian army, on a peace footing, consists of about 40,000 soldiers and officers, so that the cost per head would be about £22 a year. Of course, the permanent staff organization has to be far more elaborate than it would be otherwise, so as to provide for the contingency of the reserves having to be called out.