The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-21
500 KILLED,
Turks Sustain a Severe Defeat
Near SaIonica.
Insurgents Occupy Most of the
Villages in MeInik.
MANY TOWNS AFIRE.
Three Greek Battleships Have
Arrived at Venice.
Have Been Watching Macedonia
from Adriatic Waters.

Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept 21-According to
fugitives who have arrived at RiIa from
Djoumaia, a serious engagement has oc-
Cured at Pelxin, near Melnik, 65 miles
from Salonica. in which the Turks are
said to have lost 500 men killed, includ-
ing two colonels. Most of the villages in
the district of Melnik are in the lands of
the insurgents. Many villages are in
flames.
Venice, Sept. 21.-A Greek squadron
consisting of three battleships has arriv-
ed here. The vessels have been naneu-
vering in the Adriatic sea. watching the
developments in Macedonia.
Constantinople. Sept. 21.-The Serv-
ian governments reply to the porte's
representations says measures have
been taken to prevent bands from
Macedonia and that a strong band
which was preparing to cross the from
tier has already been dispersed.
The Servian reply adds, however,
that if the persecution of Christians and
the excesses of the Turkish troops con-
tinue and serious reforms are not in
troduced the government will be unable
to restrain the popular agitation in
Servia
The unfavorabIe comment aroused by
the appointment of Reshid Pasha, the
former vail of Beirut, to be vail of
Brusa, which is really a promotion con-
tinues. The action of the porte in this
connection is regarded here as a chal-
lenge to the representatives of the pow
ers, especially to the American minister
who it is thought is likely to protest
and may possibly demand Reshid Pa
sha's recall from Brusa. in the interests
of the American educational establish
ment in that villayet.
Reports from Beirut say the appoint
ment of Hahn Pasha to be vail OF
Beirut has caused much disaD DDoint-
ment The inhabitants expected that
Nazim Pasna. the vail of Syria, who
inspired confidence by his conduct
when he became acting vail after Res
hid Pasha's removal, would be made
vail.
INTERVENTION URGED.
Washington, Sept. 21.-Communica-
tions have reached the state department
urging this government to say or do
something that will put stop to the
atrocities in Turkey.
1t is said this pressure does not em-
anate from the missionaries.
Officials at the state department are
reticent about the proba ability of the
United States giving expression to the
feeling with which the alleged atroci-
ties in Turkey are viewed by the people
of the United States but they say re-
ports from Turkey show that the deeds
daily perpetrated in sections of that
country are of such a character as to
shock civilization and necessarily are
Of a deep concern to the United States.
The state department today received
a cablegram from Minister Leishman.
at Constantinople. but nothing was
given out regarding it except the in
formal statement that it contained no
alarming news and was in part con-
cerned with routine business. With
drawal of the American squadron from
Beirut. it was said, has not yet been
determined upon and no intimation has
been received from Oyster Bay as to
the presidents intention in the matter.