The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-25
TALK IS NOT
 CONVINCING Turkeys Game a Double
 One. WAR THE ONLY SOLUTION The Powers Serve Notice Up- on Bulgaria. Published Program of Reforms in Macedonia Will Not Be Departed :.
 From-Army Ready to
 Take the Field.
WAR THE ONLY SOLUTION

Sofia, Sept. A.-The diplomatic agents of Russia and Austria Hungary have in. formed the Bulgarian Government 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. gram of reforms in Macedonia. and that Bulgaria must not count on any support for any other purpose. The agents further announced that the same deciara- tion would be made at Constantinople. The imperial Ottoman commissioner has informed the Bulgarian Government that the Sultan has promulgated an trade sanctioning the programs of reform which is to be carried out by a mixed commfs- sion and that he has deputed Hilmi Pasha to superintend the execution of the pro- gram with orders to suspend the persecu. tion of the Bulgarians.
 As no indication Is given concerning the constitution of the proposed mixed commission or as to an amnesty of poli- tical offenders, demanded by Bulgaria, there is no disposition here to believe that the negotiations will be effective.
 PetroF Not Convinced.
 When the Turkish diplomatic agent this morning communicated the Sutan's trade to Premier Petroff the latter is re- IOnE Turkey did not withdraw her troops from the frontier and did not fulfill all her promises. Bulgaria was justified in be- lieving that Turkey was talking mereIy for talks sake.
 The Sofia press refers to the trade in similar terms and declines to consider it seriously.
 Notwithstanding reports to the contra- ry, perfect tranquility almost approach ing apathy, prevails throughout Bulgaria. There Is not the slightest outward evil dence that the country Is on the verge of war. Even in military circles there Is no excitement. through unceasinH preparationjs going on.
 The reports enlnnating from Turkish quarters that the Government is in dan- ger of being carried away by popular excitement and that Bulgaria is likely to take the first hostile steps may be re- garded as ridiculous inventions. It is, however. a fact that all hope of good re- suits from the Turkish promises of re- form has lorg disappeared and the feel ing is growing that war Is the sole so- lution of the Macedonian problem, the only question being whether it will come this autumn or be postponed until spring.
 Army in Readiness.
 Preparations for the mobilization of the Bulgarian army have been carried out with singular completeness as to detail. and declaration of war will find the Bulgarians sufficiently prepared. The equipment for the soldiers is ready. Large quantities of ammunition are on hand. and the stocks of general supplies are re- markedly comprehensive. The appear ance of the troops and their soldierly qualities are a revelation to foreigners.
 The details of atrocities by the Turkish troops In Monastir daily reaching the Bull garian Government, equal and even ex- ceed those already published.
 According to unconfirmed reports. the insurgents Fave captured the town of Melnik. sixty-five miles from Salonica. Severe fighting is also reported from the nefghborhood of Nevrokop. while tele- grams from Burgas describe the pitiable condition of the refugees who have ar- rived there.
 The insurEent general staff in eiMon- astir vilayer has compiled an elaborate report of events in the district of Kasto- ria between August and September F. It comprises list of twenty-four villages which were plundered. A great number of houses were burned and 572 villagers killed.