The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-30

KEY and Bulgaria to emphasize their
full unanimity in the Austro-Russian
work of pacifying the Balkans, so as
to remove all misconceptions of posi-
bic assistance in the event Of danger
ous enterprises. These representatives
have been instructed to make a de-
claration to the Governments of Tur-
key and Bulgaria as follows:
g The present state OF affairs IN the
Turkish yilayets, which is due to the
criminal intentions of committees and
revolutionary bands, does not alter
the attitude of the Powers in regard
to the programme of action advanced
early in the year by the two Powers
most interested. Consequently. neither
Turkey nor Bulgaria can rely on the
support of any Power in the event OF
open OF secret opposition to the reailza-
tion of this scheme -
Z esThe Imperial Government hopes
this new warning will convince Tnr-
key as well as Bulgaria of the futility
of any attempt to avoid the fullhlment
of the demands made upon them, and
cause them to take all the measures in
their power for the repression of the
disturbances in the Balkan peninsula,
which can only have the most serious
consequences for both the Ottoman
Empire and Bulgaria. -
THE NEWS CONFIRMED.
Sofa, Bulgaria, Sept. 24.-The
diplomatic agents of Russia and Aus
tria- Hungary have informed the Bull
oarian Goyernment that they have
been instructed to communicate that
their Governments, in agreement with
the other great Powers, are. resolved
never to depart from the published pro-
gramme Of reforms in Macedonia and
that Bulgaria must not count on any
support for any other purpose. The
agents further announced that the same
declaration would be made at Con-
stantinople.
The Imperial Ottoman commissioner
has informed the Bulgarian Govern
ment that the Sultan has promulgated
an trade sanctioning the programme
of reform which is to be carried out
by a mixed commission, and that ne
mas deputsd Hilmi Pasha to superin-
tend the execution OF the programme,
with orders to suspend the persecution
of the Bnlgarians.
THE BATTLE OF KREsNA PASS.
Constantinople, Sept. M.-The bat
tie Of Kresna Pass, according to the
latest advices received here, is still
in progress. The insurgents are sue
cessfully holding strong positions and
their casualties are slight, only score
being killed or wounded, while the
Turks, up to the present, have lost fye
officers and SO men, killed or wounded.
A part of. the British Mediterranean
SQUADRON has arrived at Suda Bay, ISL
and Of Crete. and is held in readiness
in case of developments in the Balkan
situation.
THE BATTLE OF RoTCHANI.
Sofa, Bulgaria, Sept. 24.-Accord-
ing to a telegram received here today
from Kostendil, (forty three miles
from Sofa, 600 Turks were killed in
a fight at Kotchani September Is. The
Turkish force numbered 7,0G0. After
the fight the troops, enraged at their
losses, pillage and burned number OF
Bulgarian villages.
BULGARIA BENT ON VAR.
Sofa, Bulgaria, Sept. 24.-Notwith-
standing reports to. the contrary, per-
feet tranquility, almost approaching
apathy. prevails throughout Bulgaria.
There is not the slightest outward eyi-
dence that the country is on the verge
of war. Even in military circles there
is no excitement, though unceasing
preparation is going on. The feeling
is steadily growing that war is the sole
solution to the Macedonian problem,
the only question being whether IL
will come this autumn or be postponed
until spring.
The preparations for the mobilization
of the Bulgarin army have been carried
out with singular completeness as to
detail, and a declaration of war will
find the Bulgarians sufficiently pre-
pared.
The details of atrocities by the Tur-
kish troops in Monastir daily reaching
the Bulgarian Government equal and
even exceed those already published.
The insurgent general staff In the
Monastir vilayet has compiled an Ella
borate report of events in the districts
of Kastoria between August 81 ana
Sept. l2. It comprises list of TWEEN
ty-four villages which we're plundered.
A great number of houses were burned
and 572 villagers killed.