New-York tribune., 1903-08-13
BULGARIA NEAR WAR.
TENSION At SOFIA.
discomfort Rife IN Coumtry-Anr-
iety of Officials.

Sofa Aug 12.-It is everywhere declared that
the present Ministry is doing its utmost TO check
the revolutionary movement but the situation
is reaching a point where circumstances may
prove too strong for the Cabinet. The growing
economic depression in the country constitutes o
dangerous factor in the situation. The mer
chants are unable 10 obtain credit abroad and
are forced 80 pay cash The influx OF thou
sands of Macedonians across the border has dis
organized the labor market and has become
source OF great discomfort. The commercial
classes declare that the present condition of af-
fairs Is longer endurabe-even war, what
ever might be the result would be preferable, as
il would be followed by period of rest.
The entire government takes a decidedly
peHsimistic view OF the situation, and the Of
hctals openly express their fears that general
massacre % the Christians in Macedonia is in
evitable-possibly, within four days and almost
certainly within a fortnight. Meanwhile the
government believes that sudden development
Of affairs across the border may at any mo-
nlent render the authorities powerless TO pre-
vent war.
The reports from Bulgarian official agents in
Macedonia show that affairs rapidly grow
ing worse. The fact that the Mussulnan ropu
iatIon is becoming excited and congregaring iE
the mosques is regarded a bad feature, in
oicating the possibility that massacre may
such a massacre would cover a wide area and
Include both the large towns and the villages.
and that the Turkish soldiers would Eiove inca
pable OF restraining the fanaticaI Mussunans,
even If they desired to do Monastir now con-
tains only four battalons Of Turkish troops.
two consisting OF raw recruits, unreliable in
serious trouble. II is thought possible that the
troops may aid the 8iussulH:ans in saughtering
the Christians.
The officials hera blame Turkey for the present
sudden outbreak. attributing II largely TO the
action Of the Porte in instituting search for
arms in the villages. The Macedonian leaders,
finding that their followers were being deprived
of guns and ammunition realized that they
might soon be rendered powerless to open
campaign. and decided TO rise Immediately. The
signal for the revolt was given by firing hay
and straw ricks The Bulgarian villagers then
took to the hills III body.
The government Is said to be particularly dis
pleased with Turkeys action because 1t had
urged the Porte 70 leave the villagers in peace.
believing that this would result in staving of
the trouble till next year, as the insurgents
seemed 10 entertain hopes that the powers
would soon intervene.
The government also charges Turkey with do
ing less to prevent the insurgents from crossing
the frontier than Bulgaria, though Turkey
maintains four times as many troops along the
border. The Turkish soldiers invariably retire
70 barracks at sunset and remain there until
sunrise. leaving free egress to the Macedonian
insurgents during the night. The Turks fight
hravely in daylight, but dislike skirmishing in
the dark.
Representatives of the Macedonian Committee
say that the Rumanian and Greek inhabitants
Of a number of villages have Joined the insur-
gents and that the Mahometans are taking
yef,ee in 4he cities and towns 4 KrusheVo the
revolutionists have seized the repeating rifles
and ammunition stored in the magazine.
1t IS stated that Ferdinand will spend next
Saturday, the anniversary OF his accession TO
The throne with his family in Hungary. No
time is set for his return TO Bulgaria