The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-09-23
TO Be PEACE OR WAR
sorIA WILL DECIDE question IN
As HOURS.
OUTLOOK FAvoRs PEACE
RUT A DAY NAV CHANGE WHOLE
BALKAN SITUATION.

-xyhoIe Macedonian situation Has
Reen Discussed-TurIxish Ministers
in Reach of Agreement ON Chief
Points of Issue Turks Promise to
Protect Refugees mt Burgas and
Give Them Back Their Homes.
RuIRaria Strengthens Forces on
Frontier.
Sofia. Bulgaria, Sept. 22.-Within
forty-eight hours the question of peace
or war will probably be settled, accord
ing to authoritative opinions here.
premier Petroff had an interview to-
whole situation in Macedonia was dis
cussed. AS a result of this confer
ence a much better feeling prevails,
and confident hopes are expressed that
a satisfactory adjustment will be
reached. This view is strengthened by
a report from Constantinople to the
effect that the Council of Ministers aft
er some days discussion, is within
measurable distance of an agreement
on the chief points of the issue.
The Premier complained to the Turk
ish diplomatic agent of the situation
created by the arrival at Burgas, of
thousands of destitute and starving
refugees from the district of Losengrad
After a discussion, an understanding
was practically reached that Turkey
should guarantee the safe protection
of the refugees, and take steps to
reinstate them in their homes.
The general effect of these confer
ences in Constantinople and Sofia has
induced much more hopeful feeling
here, although in Balkan affairs, it
is always possible that the next days
happenings may change the entire sit
uation
The war MINISTRY has taken steps to
strengthen the Bulgarian frontier forces
and it is reported that troops will oc-
cupy all the commanding positions,
thus making it almost impossible for
bands to cross the frontier Some regf-
ments of. the second. and third divi-
sions have been ordered to the Adrian
ope frontier, where the Turks have
massed strong bodies of troops.
How Negotiations Stand.
Sofia, Bulgaria. Sept. 22.-Later-The
following is the position of the Turko-
Bulgarian negotiations: The Porte re-
Gently manifested disposition to con-
slider proposals for a direct understand
ing and Bulgaria advanced the follow
ing conditions: First, the Porte to
grant a general amnesty and stop the
persecution of the Bulgarians in Mace
donia; second, a mixed commission to
be formed, the Bulgarian members of
which should be nominated by the Bull
garian Exarch and never be in mi
nority on the commission, to elaborate
administrative reforms, arrange for an
extension of local administrative saIl-
tonorny, insure the safety of the high
ways and the equality of Christians
and Mussulmans before. the courts, re-
form the taxation and genaremerie and
provide for personal security.
These proposals seem to have been
accepted in principle although nothing
definite has yet been decided.
Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept. 22.--Ten thus
and refugees from the district of Los
engrad arrived at Burgas during the
last three days, according to official ad-
vices.
Turkey Ready to Help.
Constantinople, Sept. 22.-The Porte,
after several meetings at the Yildiz
Kiosk to discuss the Bulgarian pro-
posal that an international commission
be appointed to deal with Macedonia,
has dispatched a reply, pointing out
that 1t considers the mission entrusted
to Hilmi Pasha the inspector general
to be equivalent to the commission
proposed by Bulgaria and adding that
If the Bulgarian government is power
less to re-establish and maintain order
among it's population, it's suzerain is
always ready to come to its assistance.