The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-27
CRY FROM MACEDONIA
COUNTRY THAT HAS LONG SUFFERED
FROM TURKISH MIsRULE.
sultan Abdul Hamid the Instfgator of
Shocking BrutaIities Inflicted
on Christians.

The abduction OF Miss Stone may posi-
bly, be the means Of attracting the attention
of Christendom to the cry from Macedonia
that has been ignored with criminal indif-
ference. U~nspeakable horrors have been
constantly occurring in this corner Of the
earth, and will continue TO occur so long
as Turks are permitted TO govern Christian
communities. Although TENDERS Of local
organizations of Macedonian sympathizers
are involved in the abduction, beyond a
doubt, the cause should not be prejudiced.
The present management of the Macedo-
man committee is patriotic, unselhsh and
honest. The previous administration was
currupt and vicious, but no one will suggest
that the sufferings of the Christian citizens
of Turkish provinces should be prolonged,
even though bandits and blackmailers may
be interested in their redemption.
The world owes a duty to the people of
Macedonia. So far as Armenia is concerned
anything more than diplomatic Intervention
is impracticable, and civilized nations can
only continue to exert moral pressure on
the Sultan in its behalf. But Macedonia is
in an entirely different position. There will
be no difficulty in reaching the sufferers
with a fleet or an army of rescue if neces-
SoAg bCNduSt I'D pOIlS are vi ILLS SAuC VI
the D~ardanelles, and the continued viola
ton of treaty stipulations will justify forci-
bic interference. Every day the situation
becomes more and more serious, and the
necessity for action more urgent. The OPP
preston OF the people has become so un
bearable that bands of insurgents are be-
ginning to collect in the mountains just as
they did before the instruction of Bulgaria
in 1877. Turkish troops nave been sent out
to disperse them. and orders have been
given by the Sultan that they should be
punished with the utmost severity.
The copy of the Record-Herald which
came this morning contains a telegram
from COnstantinOple, as follows: Great
brutality exists in the district between Ba-
n1ska and the frontier. Turkish officials
have arrested over one hundred residents
OF Bulgarian nationality and subjected
them to torture in order to wiring from
them as to Miss Stones where
abouts. Several of them died under tor
ture."
MASSACRES ARE COMMON.
This is not unusual, but a common &C.
currence, and the number of Bulgarians
and other Christians massacred in Mace
donia and other Turkish provinces will
never be known. There is no hope that
time will effect any change for the latter.
The motives for murder. torture and OPP
preston are too deep-seated for moral sua-
sion or diplomatic negotiation to reach.
SO long as the Christians submit patiently
to every wrong that may be inflicted upon
them, so long will they be permitted to live,
but in the eyes of the MOhammedans they
have forfeited their lives by accepting the
faith of the Greek or the Roman Catholic
Church, and as often as an excuse is Of
fered 1t becomes a religious duty to eX-
terminate them.
To a the massacre of an
1n1Gel is not a crime, but a religious OBJ
legation. Just as Saul was hidden to smite
/ N 49, 1 &c a nd Z II both man n and
woman, infant and sucking, OK and sheep,
camel and ass, so does the Koran admon-
ish the faithful to remove unbelievers from
the earth. Hence it is absurd for the pow
ers OF Europe TO wrangle with the Turks
concerning the principles of good govern
ment and the Introduction of reforms.
The news dispatches say that the ambaS-
sailors of the powers at COnstantinople are
preparing a joint note to the sultan, de-
handing immediate and energetic 'Te-
forms" in Macedonia, as promised by the
treaty of Berlin of 1878. This paper is prob
ably the result of a recent meeting of the
MacedODian committee in Bulgaria, at
which a memorial was addressed TO the
powers, calling attention to the refusal of
the sultan to fulfill the obligations assumed
by him at the Berlin conference, under
which the province of Macedonia was re-
stored to his control. But all the resolu-
tiOns that could be written from now till
dOOmSday; all the diplomatic notes that
could De prepared by all the powers oil
earth cannot touch the evils or remedy the
wrongs that have been suffered by the
Macedonian people, and the cruel and GRIM
inal refusal Of Great Britain, France, Ger
many, Australia, Italy and the other Chris
tan nations of Europe, which are pledged
to protect them, leaves little hope for
change of policy in the future. 1t would
seem that these governments should have
learned by their experience up to this time
that the sultan is not to be trusted; that
his promises might as well be written upon
the water, and that his failure in twenty
three years to fulfill a single one of many
pledges made at the Berlin conference in
1873, offers a sufficient reason for them to
compel him to forfeit a territory which
was restored to him in consequence of those
pledges. Macedonia can be either divided
between Bulgaria and Servia or placed un-
der a protectOrats like Bosnia, which is a
striking example of the manner in which
Turkish provinces can improve and enjoy
peace and prosperity under a rational gov
eminent.
N A STATE OF ANARCHY.
We do not know definitely what is being
done in Macedonia to prepare for a revolu-
ton, but it is no secret that the situation is
critical. There may be no outbreak until
next year, but the entire province is prac-
tically in a state of anarchy. and whenever
an opportunity is offered it will occur. The
Macedonians are looking sharply at the
controversy between Turkey and France,
and their Bulgarian sympathizers cannot
restrain expressions of qualification over
the reports that a French fleet is on its
way to the Turkish capital to enforce the
claim of the contractors who have been
refused payment for work done under or
ders from the Turkish government. If
France should strike Turkey an uprising
in Macedonia viii Immediately follow, al
though, from all / can learn, the revolu-
tionists are poorly prepared for a struggle.
As / told you the other day, the treasury
of the Macedonian was stripped
last spring of every dollar by the rascals
who had charge of it's affairs, and the diff
6culties of raising funds have seriously in
creased since the ~scandalous disclosures
made at that time. Nevertheless the COM
mittee has renewed its activity and is max
ing energetic preparations in anticipation
of trouble between Turkey and France.
No secresy is attempted with regard to
revolutionary operations in Bulgaria. The
propaganda is carried on with the greatest
publicity. But all movements on the Mace
DOMAIN side OF the mountains are covered
with mystery. Conscious of danger, the
Turkish authorities i'm Macedonia have been
engaged in active efforts to suppress the
proposed revolt. For many months the
Macedonians have been organized and arms
and ammunition have been distributed
among them. They drill in the forests by
among the roots of the trees. This is an
ancient custom, and strangers riding
through the country often have their at
tention directed TO ancient oaks which bear
signs TO mark the spot where arms have
been concealed.
When the struggle does come the Mace
domains will fight to the finish. After five
centuries of Turkish bondage they have be-
come convinced that it is better to die than
farms and heaps of ashes indicate where
the Turks have been administering diSciD-