Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
WAR IN THE BALKANS
FIGHTING BETWEEN TURKISH
AND BULGARIAN TROOPS.
Russia and Austria Issue Instructions
to Their Representatives at
Constantinople.

A dispatch from Sofia. Bulgaria, dated
October 4, SAYS:
Serious news has been received here from
the frontier of fighting between Turkish and
Bulgarian troops at Bemir-kapia. both
! sides sustaining losses.
In official quarters all knowledge of the
affair is denied. but the crcumstantial de-
tails given seem to indicate that there is
some foundation for the accounts of the
conflict. According to one report. the
Turks attacked the Bulgarian frontier
post. Another version says the Turks pur-
sued a number of refugees across the
frontier.
1t is asserted that the Turks have fire.
quently attempted to provoke hostilities,
firing into Bulgarian territory and cross
ing the frontier to steal horses and sheep.
The war Office here IS working at high
pressure. and 24.600 recruits will be called
out three months before the ultime.
Prince Ferdinand has sanctioned nu-
merous other measures of a warlike ma
ture. All the cavalry. with the excep-
ton Of a single regiment. which is sta
toned at Sofia. has been sent into the
frontier districts. where are also strong
forces of artillery.
Vigorous efforts are being made to pre-
vent bands from crossing into Turkish
territory. Two bands which were sent
back have reached Sofia since yesterday.
Dispatches from the frontier received
at the revolutionary headquarters report
that the refugees in the mountains are
in a terrible condition through their pur-
suit by the Turks and cold and hunger.
Many are dying.
Measures are being taken here to re-
lieve the worst cases of suffering among
the fugitives from the frontier districts.
Nine. Bakmeteff. wife of the Russian
agent here. is taking prominent part In
this charitable work.
From insurgent sources 1t is reported
that the Bulgarian villages of Obiditt and
Kremen have been pillaged and burned.
Many Of their inhabitants were saugh-
tered. The Bulgarian quarter of BelitZa
is in flames. Seven hundred refugees from
Belitza are reported to have been killed in
Turkish ambuscade near Samakoff.
province of kirk-kilisse.
SALONIKI. European Turkey, October
4.-The Bulgarian notables here went to
the governors palace today and informed
the authorities that q series of fresh out
RACES in Salonki is being planned. All the
guards have. consequently. been doubled.
1t is reported that twenty Turkish vii
lagos in the Razlog district have been
burned. The large village of Bonisko is
said to have been destroyed and its 1900
Turkish inhabitants killed
A dispatch from Vienna says: AS an out
come of the conference between the car
L
the governments of Austria and Russia
have sent identical kilograms to the ambas-
sailors of those countries in Constantinople.
The kilograms were couched in the follow
ing language:
You were recently instructed to declare
that Austria Hungary and Russia adhere
to the task of pacification. which they have
undertaken, and are resolved to persevere
with the program drawn up at the begin
ming of the year. Notwithstanding the diff
ficulties hitherto opposed to its execution.
For indeed, while on the one hand the rev.
dictionary committees have provoked dis
turbances and deferred the Christian pop
ulation of the three vilayets from co-operat-
ing in the execution of the reforms. on the
other hand, the representatives of the sub
lime porte intruSted with their application
have been generally wanting in the neces-
Sary zeal and have not been 1mbued with
the idea which inspired these measures.
Both powers are united in the deter
mination to show that it is their firm re-
solve to insist on the execution in their
entirety of those reforms which were ac-
cepted by the porte and which are calcu-
lated to guarantee general security. In
this connection you will receive detailed
instructions without delay.
while the powers recognize to the full
the porte's right and duty to suppress the
agitation of the Macedonian committee,
they at the same time deDlore the fact
that this suppression was accompanied by
excuses and cruelties from which the
fore. appears to them to be their urgent
duty to come to the assistance of the vic
tins of these regrettable occurrences, and
the above mentioned instructions will ac
quaint you with the details of the humani-
tartan action which they deem necessary,
with the object Of supporting the inhab
itants who have been deprived of all means
of existence, facilitating their repatriation
and restoring the villages churches and
schools destroyed by fire.
1.-THE Hungarian and Russian
governments entertain the firm hope that
their continued endeavors to establish
lasting peace in the sorely tried provinces
will attain their object, and they are con-
WINGED that their impartial advice will be
needed by all to whom 1t is addressed in
their own interests.
by command of his majesty. my au-
gust master, I request you to communicate
after you have arrived at understand
ing with your Russian Cor Austrian) col
league, who has received identical instruc-
TONS"
A dispatch from London says: The re-
ports of the conflict al Demir-K KAPPA be-
tween Turkish and Bulgarian troops have
not yet been confirmed but the news is
confirmed that the insurgents have receiv-
ed a severe check as a result of their
opera lions in the Struma valley, where,
after decisive fight In the open with the
Turks. the insurgent chief. Gen. Zontcheff,
was compelled to send urgent messages
for reinforcementS.
Statements issued from the Turkish en-
bassy in London and dispatches from Con-
stantinople dem onStrate that the Ottoman
government is greatly incensed al the num-
Der of Bulgarian officers who are leading
insurgent bands across the frontier. from
Bulgaria. Several such officers in uniform
are said to have been killed in recent en-
counters. The direct negotiations between
Turkey and Bulgaria are making no pro-
gresS.