New-York tribune., 1903-05-06
FOR HOLY WAR INBALKANS
TO 4VENGE BLOOD FEUDS.
What Public Crier announces IN
Macedonian Capital.

Cable from Special Correspondent OF The IFlouheJ
Copyright: 1903: BY The Tribune Associaton)
Uskub. Macedonia via London, May 81 was
not allowed to leave this stronghold OF peace
when the A1banians were marching on Nitro
vita. am now kept here. when the Turks are
massing in Albania. The inspector general tells
me that thee is no state of and nothing
more exciting than the suppression of an 1nsur-
rection, and that he is always ready to tell me
all the news He is courteous to correspondents,
and talks with them morning and night while
he is debating dispatches and even eating
meals, and - looks after their safety only too
well. for he will not allow anybody to go west
with the Turkish battalons from the railway
line running from Nisch to Saionica-
The consuls suggest that while the Turkish
officials maintain that there can be trouble in
so peaceful a country as Albania they really
apprehend more danger in that quarter than
from the Macedonian bands, and consequently
will not suffer European or American writers to
accompany the army. They add that no Chris
tian. especially foreigner. would be safe among
the Turkish battalions in Albania when the SOL
diers are smarting under the sense of wrong in
fighting against those of their own religion.
The consuls assert that it would be impossible
TO protect the pluckiest and most vigiant corre
spondent who might be exposed to an assassfns
bullet even from his own bodyguard. This view
is confirmed when the public crier Of the COM
mune publicly proclaims:
Listen, my brothers! You must be ready for
holy war. When you hear the second time the
voice of the public crier. Mecho, gather, great
and small, all ages between seven and seventy,
and range yourselves under the banners of those
who have blood debts. who have nothing to fear
Cod and country will pardon them. Seven
kings of Europe are banded together. but we do
not fear them, nor would they frighten US II
they were seventy many more.
Blood debts mean private or family or clan
feuds. These words seem ominous, yet the in
spector general remains placid and undisturbed.
and the Turkish officials assert that the AL
banians are bold until they fall, that they dread
the cannon Of regular troops and are not armed
for prolonged resistance. The Bulgarian consul
takes a broad view of the situation. He says:
Everybody comedies that the Turks must
leave Europe sooner or later; they realize them
selves that they must ultimately go, but are
anxious to remain long as possible. The
wind is not now blowing in the direction of
Russia. If the ripe apple of discord should
fall, there would be a general scramble for
It, but the great Northern Slav empire would
be at a disadvantage and have small
chance of seizing Constantinople 1t would
be many years before the Sultan would be
forced to cross the Bosporus If there were
greater Bulgaria in place Of the present princi-
oality The Sultan wants all his European terri
tory or none and has chosen to place his lot in
The hollow Of the Cars hand. Servia now acts
as kavass for Russia, in the hope of getting
good share of the prize when the Car is able to
slice up European Turkey
This Bulgarian view. expressed without BIT
erness, is confirmed from many sources. II
here were Ignatief's Great Bulgaria, which |
Lord Beaconsfield reduced in size and power |
and it were supported by Great Britain and the |
3ther powers, it would not allow Russia to |
occupy Coustantinople, and would thwart the |
ambitious Northern Slavs The Turks now con- |
sider the possibility of the immediate loss OF /
Macedonia, which costs more than the |
-eyenues are worth. If there were powerful |
Bulgaria with Macedonia added, the Sultan |
would have an ally against Russian aggression
n the future Meanwhile Russia is against the |
Bulgarian cause, and bent upon having the
3osporus for herself in the fulness of time