Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-11-06

Threatened War between Turkey
and Bulgaria May BE Hn.seaed ny
the Kidnapping Incident Similar
Atrocities Caused Turko-Rux.iau
Wharf.-The Macedonian Problem.
The Chicago Record Herald prints a
special cable from its Well known staff
CORRESPONDENT William T. Curtis now
In Bulgaria. which clearly and most
admirably sets forth all the complicat.
ed conditions underlying the remarka-
BILE case of Miss Stone. the American
missionary now in the hands OF Bull
garian or Macedonian brigands Mr..
Curtis statement, written from Sofia,
is as follows:
The war which is threatened be-
tween Bulgaria and Turkey may be
hastened by the Stone Incident Mace
donia, or Roumelia. now a Turkish
province. formerly was a part of Bull
garia. Its inhabitants, who are Chris
tians, are descended from the same
stock and have largely intermarried
with the Bulgarians. They are now
suffering from the prosecutions of the
Turks.
Similar Bulgarian atrocities caused
the Turko-Russian war of 1877. BY
peace treaty the sultan granted to the
Macedonians independence similar to
that enjoyed by the Bulgarians, but a
c; florence of European powers held
at Berlin restored the province to Tur-
key upon guarantees Of the appoint
ment of a Christian governor and re-
OF
taxation.
AS usual the sultan's promises remain
unfulfilled. The prosecutions are grow
ing worse. and murder, robbery and ra-
pine are continual The eXaspera ted
Christians are preparing for retaliation,
and revolution will take place as soon
as conditions are favorable.
The so called Macedonian committee
of Bulgaria was organized for the pur-
pose of providing money and arms and
assisting in the preparations for an out
break
The Macedonians are now well organ
lied. The peasants have guns conceal
ed and drill at night in the forests I'M
der Bulgarian officers. Almost every
citizen of Bulgaria bepngs to the or
ganization and contributes literally to
the cause.
The government of Bulgaria encour-
ages the movement and has organized
a large army to assist the Macedonians
when the revolution begins. Indirect en-
couragement and sympathy are extend
ed by Russia. which practically con-
trois the Bulgarian government.
Any unusual provocation is likely to
cause an outbreak. The Macedonian
committee is anxious TO involve Turkey
and the United States by means of the
Stone Incident. 1t needs the ransom
money to buy ammunition.
The Macedonian committee is a part
of the national existence. Both support
ers and opponents of the government
unite in the movement, hence the gov
eminent is powerless to control or pun
ish the bandits. The Turks are equally
powerless, as the captors are Bulga-
rians. The payment Of the ransom,
therefore. is absolutely necessary.
The former officers of the committee
were deposed last summer because of
rascality The president. Boris Saraoff.
disappeared two days after the kidnap-
ing of the missionary. His Whereabouts
is not known, but he is believed to be
with Miss Stone.
Saraon is notorious desperate. He
was recently acquitted of murder. al
though undoubtedly guilty. and has
been engaged in a general system of
blackmail to raise funds for the pro-
posed revolution.
He has extorted money from high
government officials and wealthy citi-
zens by means of anonymous letters
t,--ceatening to abduct their children.
The government is afraid to arrest him
because the common people consider
him a great patriot.
The present officials of the Macedo-
MAN revolutionary committee. who are
honorable men. abhor the kidnapping Of
Miss Stone and publicly disavow SYM
patty with the brigands.
Slogan Mikhailovsky. the new presi-
dent. is highly respected literary man
and poet. He recently published an
article denouneing the act and express
ing regret lest it prejudice the Europe
an public against the movement for
Macedonian independence.
All the communications that have
been received from Miss Stone have
been written in the Bulgarian Ian
guage. which proves that her captors
are Bulgarians- If the latter We're or
binary bandits, they would be satisfied
with small ransom, but the revolu-
tionary committee is in need Of a con-
siderable sum of money.
The last case of the kidnapping of
foreigner occurred near the same place.
The victim was an agent Of the Brit
ish Bible society. and no politics was
involved In the affair. He was detain-
ed for three months and then ransom
ed for $1,000.
The Macedonian sympathizers believe
that If the full amount is paid they can