Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-09-03
OUTRAGES OCCUR
ALL over TURKEY
Many Christian Villages Have
Been PiIlaged and Burned
of Late.
PORTE IS INCONSISTENT
Declares No Attempt Was Made to
Murder Maaelssen, but is Looking
UP the Observation-Disclosures
Approve Sending Ships.

Sofia, Sept. "A local newspaper an
Hoimeed This afternoon that general
insurrection was proclaimed today in
the districts of Turkey across the
southern frontier of Bulgaria. The ris-
ing is headed by the famous Mace
doeian leaders, General Zonticheff,
president Of the Macedonian commit
ice. and Colonel Jankoff.
ceastantinople, Sept. 3.-The porte
has notified Minister Leishnlan of five
arrests made at Beirut in connection
with the shooting which led to the re-
port ti2at Magelssen, United States
vice consul there, had been assassin
ated. Turkish officials continue to
insist that no attempt was made ON
the vice consuls life, and reassert that
the whole story originated in a feu-
Gc-.iae fired on the occasion of a ma
tive marriage and in accordance with
customs. Mr.. Leishman. however, re-
fuses TO accept such an explanation
Without conclusive proofs and the
juaicial investigation continues.
IN attempt TO burn the American
roiaese ut Kharput occurred five weeks
ago, and apparently was the work of
an iadividual who considered he had.
n grievance against the college au-
thorities.
when Mr.. Leishman was informed
of the attempt he demanded that the
ro.tc protect the American institution,
aud In consequence of the representa-
lions instructions were sent the au-
thols;ies al kharput to try i'm the reg
ular courts the charges against Atty
armenians accused of trafiicking in
lpims and engaging in other seditious
acts. Among the accused is Professor
Tsnekedjian of the American college,
whose treatment In prison pending his
Triad WAS also ordered improved.
i.eishnian is pressing for definite set
dement, of q number of matters on
which agreements We're reached with
the Turkish authorities last year. but
which in spite of frequent promises on
the part of the porte have never been
eXecutod.
Diplomats Approve American Move
Yesterday Mr.. Leishman received a
telegram from Rear Admiral Cotton,
dated C;enoa, Sunday evening, an
.nounciis the United States warships
brooklyn and san Francisco Will ar
tive Off Beirut ut the end of the week.
American officials here attribute the
dispatch of the warships to Turkish
waters not solely to the Magelssen aft
of the authorities at Washington at
he nonfulfillment of the porte's prom
Uses in regard to pending questions.
and to the determination of the presi-
dent to show Turkey that she cannot
triila with American representations.
Diplomatic circles here generally APP
prove the energetic action of the United
States, which. 1t is pointed out, is JUS
titled by the bad faith of Turkey. 1t Is
her of Yrifa ~
States warships in Turkish waters will
lead to an immediate settlement OF
pending disputes. Nothing so inn
presses the porte as naval demon
stiation, and diplomats claim this will
be specially noticeable in the present
Ease. as America Is not fettered like
other powers by agreements regulating
the International political affairs of
Turkey.
Porte Makes Protest.
Official reports gay that 300 insur.
gents We're killed or wounded during
the fighting which occurred last week
in the village of Monastir. The porte
has sent Il memorandum to the Amer
lean and Russian ambassadors here
pointing out that at recent mass
meeting of Macedonians in Sofia ii was
decided TO send fresh bands into Mace
lonia: also calling attention to the fact
plying the insurgents with arms and
ammunition by means of ships which
land their cargoes on the coast in the
vicinity of lniada
Consular dispatches from Prishtina,
near the Servian frontier. confirm the
reports that nearly all Christian VIII
lagos In the districts of Didra, fifty
four miles from Monastir, and Cicevc,
have been pillaged and burned and the
Inhabitants fled 1t is not stated
whether Albanians or Bulgarians We're
the perpetrators of the outrages.
In spite of the apparent gravity of
the general situation, optimism pre-
wallis in Turkish official circles. In the
course of audiences which the German
and Russian ambassadors had with the
sultan for the purpose of recommends
Ing more energetic action and intrust-
ing 10 Turkish commanders in chief
full direction of military operations,
the sultan replied that he preferred to
retain control at Constantinople
The government has imposed per-
sonal, or a land tax. on the entire pop
ula ton of the empire over the age of 49,
The tax is on different classes and
ranges from so cents to $500 each an
nually. This is regarded in some quar-
ters as being in the nature of provis-
'on for war.
MASSANPEn A NiIlAHE