The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-09-16
REVOLUTION PROCLAIMED
Macedonian Insurgents Issue Their
Loug-Expected Document
CHRISTIAN VILLAGES BURNED

Turks Massacre the Entire Population OF
Armensi and velcsi - A War Tax is
Being Imposed Upon All the sultan's
Subjects-BuIsarians Lose 1900 Men
The Insurrcctionary Leaders.
Sofia. Bulgaria. the anniver-
versary of the Sultan's accession was
being celebrated throughout the Otto
man Empire the Macedonian leaders is
sued the long anticipated proclamation
of general insurrection in Macedonia.
The signatures of all the members OF
the insurgent general staff are at
tached to the document.
The new outbreak is headed by the
famous Macedonian leaders, General
Zontcheff, President Of the Macedonian
Committee. and Colonel Jankof. who
was wounded in the rising of 1902.
The new territory covers the district
in the valley of the Struma. at the base
of the Rhodope Mountain chain, and to
the north of the River Fardar. ColOnel
Jankoff is directing the movement or
the insurgents in the southern part.
News of severe fighting is still COM
ing in. At the village Of Armensi. af-
ter a days fighting. the Turkish troops
in the night time massacred the entire
population of 1S0 men and 200 women.
The Turks have also massacred the in
nabitants Of the village of FeleSi.
1t is reported that Hilmi Pasha. the
Inspector General for Macedonia. fears
to leave his headquarters in the konak
at Monastir. The insurgent leader.
Grueff. in letter to Hilmi Pasha, de-
manded that he prevent the barbarous
acts of the Turkish soldiers and BaShi-
Bazouks, otherwise the revolutionaries
would massacre all the Turkish inhab-
itants. The insurgents have occupied
the mountain pass of Gergele, on the
main line from Salonica to USkub, and
Turkish troops have been sent to dis.
lodge them.
The town of Malkoternovo is report
ed to be in a state Of anarchy, the
Turks plundering the houses and COM
mitting unspeakable atrocities on the
women.
A strong force of Turkish infantry.
cavalry and artillery recently attacked
the village of Stoilovo. northward Of
Malkoternovo, which had been occu-
pied by insurgents. The latter retired,
after which the Turks entered the
place. massacred the entire population
and destroyed the village.
According to the latest Turkish Off.
soI fn q
were killed in the recent fighting at
Smilero, Neveska and Klissura. The
Turkish losses are not stated. This es-
innate does not include further losses
In the Smilero district. 1t Is reported
that $50 Bulgarians were killed in this
two days battle.
Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria has ar
rived at EuXinograde. Bulgaria. where
he has been joined by Premier Petroff.
The Prince is expected to remain there
for some time.
Constantinople.-The Porte has sent
a memorandum to the Austrian and
Russian Ambassadors here pointing
out that at the recent mass meeting Of
Macedonians in Sofia. Bulgaria, it was
decided to send fresh bands into Mace
donia. and also calling attention to the
fact that committees in Bulgaria were
supplying the Insurgents with arms
and ammunition by means of ships
which land their cargoes on the coast
in the vicinity OF Iniada.
The Government has imposed per.
sonal, or land tax. on the entire popu-
lation Of the empire over the age Of
eighteen. The tax is on different
classes and ranges from about eighty
cents to $500 each annually. This is
regarded in some quarters as being in
the nature of provision for war.
In spite Of the apparent gravity of
the general situation optimism prevails
in Turkish official circles.