The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-20
Turks Besieged in the Town
of MeInik.
HOT FIGHTING AT OKRIDA
Ninety Turks Killed by the Insu'genis--' The
MosIems RouteG---They viii Now Only
Move in Very Large
Bodies.
(By the Associated Press.)

Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept. 19.-The revolu-
tionaries are now concentrating all their
operations in Eastern Macedonia, the lat
est dispatches from which locality report
general uprising was fixed to begin to-
day. The insurgents claim to have accum-
ulated vast stores of arms and ammuni-
ton and dynamite and to be prepared to
enter upon a serious campaign. Fighting
already is proceeding at Menik, province
of Seres. which place Is beselged by bands
of insurgents under the leadership OF
Stoyanoff Yankoff, ZograffOff, and Oar
vinhoff, all of whom formerly were officers
in the Bulgarian army. The town OF Mel
mix is a very important strategic point in
the mountains, commanding the road be-
tween Demirh!ssar and Razlog. Those be-
sieging it number 1.500 while the Turkish
garrison is believed to consist Of only
one battalion The result of the attack
upon the town is not yet know but
telegram from Ketcharinovo says that
additional Turkish troops are going thence
to Melnik
Severe fighting is reported to have
| taken place at Okrida A band of revo-
| lutionares operating near Brijeni sur
rounded Il force of Turkish troops and a
| fight ensued which lasted throughout an
entire day. In the evening the insurgents,
reinforced by bands under Sarafoff, at
| tackled the Turks on all sides and routed
! them The Turks lost ninety killed. 1t
! is reported that the troops will now move
only in bodies of from three to four thous-
and.
Turkish soldiers are reported to have
/ burned five villages in the district sof Kas-
ltoria.
London, Sept. 19-The Associated Press
| learns that the war between Turkey and
Bulgaria is not now regarded as immi-
nent by the Foreign Office or other dip
| lomatic centers in London. 1t Is stated
that under no circumstances will the pow
ers permit Turkey to occupy Bulgarian
territory, hence turkey has nothing to
| gain by hostilities.
Regarding the renewed rumors that a
British fleet is going to Turkish waters,
the Associated Press is officially informed
! that as Balkan matters have been left IN
the hands of Russia and Austria, such ac-
tion is not contemplated by Great Brit
ain. or so far as known, by any other
| power In the meantime, the powers are
daily exchanging communications with the
view of determining on some possible
means of restoring order in European
Turkey, but so far they have devised no
plan that would not be likely to- increase,
rather than diminish the gravity of the
situation.
Paris, Sept. 19.-At the meeting of the
council of ministers today Foreign Minis
ter Delcasse announced that Russia and
Austria had declared that they would only
| intervene in Macedonia in order to hasten
reforms. They had suggested, NJ Delcasse
added, that the other powers might sup
port the Cabinets in st. Petersburg and
Vienna to this end
Constantinople, Friday, Sept. 1S.-With-
in the last twenty-four hours a more re-
assuring feeling has prevailed, due to the
| assurances received that the Bulgarian
mobilization is only applied to a few reg
iments and is intended for the reinforce
ment of the frontier posts.