The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-24

st. Petersburg, Sept. 24.-The Russian
government has issued an official note re-
iterating that the attitude Of the powers
in regard to the ,Austro- Russian reform
scheme for Macedonia is unchanged and
that, consequently, neither Turkey nor
Bulgaria can expect support from any
quarter in the event Of open or secret re-
sistance to that scheme.
The government. after pointing out that
the suggested reforms were at the outset
attended with good results, continues:
These, however did not satisfy the
Macedonian committees which have
sprung up in the Slav states. The prob
ability, which had become apparent, that
the Christian population would calm down
under the influence Of reforms deprived
these committees of all favorable ground
for the realization Of their revolutionary
plan.
Committees Are Selfish.
While proclaiming that their object was
the protection of their co-religionists
against Turkish oppression, these commit
tees in reality seek to attain their selfish
aim Of modifying the administrative sys-
tenn In the province so as to convert it
into a Bulgarian Macedonia, to the det-
riment of the rights and privileges of the
other Christian peoples, whose interest Is
equally dear to orthodox Russia. AS the
leaders found no support among the nom
Bulgarian element In Macedonia they ex-
erted themselves to raise a general insur-
rection by cruel outrages and terrorism
in order to hinder the Introduction Of the
projected reforms.
On Bulgarian Soil.
"Unhappily, in spite Of the precautions
Of the Sofia government, the Macedonian
agitation spread considerably in Bulgaria
itself, finding support among those who
mistakenly reckoned that the outbreak
th11a t0
her program and proclaim herself the
champion Of the unrealiZable plans of the
leaders Of the revolution. This fatal con-
ception against which Russia gave in
cessant warnings, rs brought upon the
Christians in the Turkish valayets grievi-
Gus oppression which will only end when
the incursion Of insurgents from Bulgaria
and the revolutionary activity ofathe cons
mittees cease, Not until then can the
immediate application of reforms needed
by the population, and by which they will
be protected from Turkish atrocities, be
insisted upon; the most energetic endeav-
ors having failed to bride the fanattc1sm
of the Mussulmans.
I'm view Of the thickening complications
the Russian and Austrian governments
have reiterated their views to this effect,
both at Sofia and at Constantinople and
acting on the suggestion Of Austria and
Russia, all the governments of the pow
have instructed their representatives to
Turkey and Bulgaria to emphasize their
full unamity in the Austro- Russian work
of pacifying the Balkans SO as to remove
all misconceptions Of possible assistance
in the event Of dangerous enterprises
,, These representatives have been in.
structed to make a declaration to the
governments of Turkey and Bulgaria as
| follows:
Text Of the Declaration. ,-.....
1.-THE present state Of affairs in the
Turkish -vilayets, Is due to the crimina
| intentions of committees and revolutions
airy bands and does not alter the attitude
Of the powers in regard to The program
of action advanced early in the year by
the two powers most interested. Conse
quently, neither Turkey nor Bulgaria cal
rely on the support of any power in thu
event OF open or secret opposition to tn.
realization of this scheme.
THE imperial government hopes THU
new warning will convince Turkey as wei
as Bulgaria of the futility of any attemp
to avoid the fulfilment of the demand
made and cause them to take all the meas
ures in their power for the repression o
disturbances In the Balkan peninsula
which can only have the most seriou
consequences for both the Ottoman EN-
pire and Bulgaria.