New-York tribune., 1901-10-08

the brgands. The man whom the money is
to be sent certainly has some method of COM
munication with them, and some way could be
found to- trap the receivers of the money, and
perhaps. bring about the liberation of the cap
tive. We have no missionaries there. none
OF our people can suffer from a like condition.
The precedent is bad. of course; but | do not
care to criticise the action. Suppose we had a
missionary in similar predicament. Wen. we
VIII cross that bridge When we come To IL
know nothing of the case except what L have
seen in the newspapers.
The Rev. Dr. A. B. Leonard. secretary of the
Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, said the
condition deplorable.
''Humanitarianism pleads for the ransom,
he said. but the payment of 1T may lead to Sc
rious consequences. The plane of civilization in
Bulgaria is low beyond the conception of the
American I was there last summer and was
myself surprised by the condition of the people.
They are absolutely devoid of any civilized sem
timents, and when it becomes known that
ransom has been paid for the release of Miss
Stone II may lead to the establishment of
lucrative business in the Balkan Mountains.
Many lives may be placed in jeopardy by our
desire not TO lose this one. because the place is
full of brigands. and the Balkans afford ex-
ceent hiding places for them in carrying on
such work as this.
Il deplore the apparent necessity for paying
this ransom, and if IL must be paid. then the
affair should not stop there. Our government
should hold the Bulgarian Government respon-
sibe for the return of the money 1t Is the
duty of government to protect the people IN
it's territory. II may seem arbitrary for our
government To insist this. but if II does not,
who can say how much more of this business
will occur? II the Bulgarian Government knew
that the United States would hold II responsible
for the return Of the money, il certainly would
effect the capture of the brigands, at least. and
furnish better protection To MISSIONARIES ana
other Americans in future.
OF the money raised in this city for the ran
som $500 came from the Central Congregational
Church Brooklyn. Miss Bliss. daughter of Cor
nelius y Bliss. contributed 500. DR. Creegan,
who received the contributions In TINS city,
telegraphed the entire sum in his hands 10
Kidder Peabody & Co. of Boston YESTERDAY
TCr Creeean said that II the board of which he
is secretary had been able to inform the pas
tors Of the different churches in time the fund
,rould have been much larger. Some of the min
listers did not receive the kilograms that had
been sent to them on Sunday until after their
evening services.
MISS STONES HEAD MAY BE SET ON POLE
cleveland Ohio oct 7.-'-If the ransom Of Miss
Stone is not paid firmly believe her head VIII De
scr upou pike pole in the nearest village was
the statement Of Il. T. Sweeny. of Columbus Ihu''
ex-Consul- General to Turkey. at the Young Men
Christian Association to-day. Continuing MI
Sweeny said:
/ think the kidnapping Of Miss Stone was Done
for noitical purposes. Her captors wish tne
IN their promise the brigands will release MISS
Stone IL her is paid. III IL Is not 5hey VIII
cut a finger OFF and send it 10 her friends Ihen
an ear and, finally, her head VIII De put uPoh d
nike mole in some little village OF Turkey
| know them. know their metnods OF opeidtiIs'
and know their history. nave had Jus shsir
periences with them. and Whatever may pe their i
faults they are honorable men as far as their