The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-28
Bulgarian Comment on Note.

Sofia. Bulgaria, September % The
diplomatic agents Of Russia and Austria .
Hungary have Informed the Bulgarian
government that they have been instruct
ed to communicate that their govern
ments. In agreement with the other great
powers, are resolved never to depart from
the published programme of reforms in
Macedonia. and that Bulgaria must not
count on any support for any other pur-
pose. The agents further announced that
the same declaration would be made a.
Constantinopie
The imperial ottoman commissioner has
informed the Bulgarian government that
the sultan has promulgated an trade sane
tioning the programme Of reform which is
to be carried out by mixed commission
and that he has deputed H1lIni Pasha t.
superntend the execution OF the pro-
gramme with orders to suspend the pei Sc
cuuon OF the Bulgarians, AS no Indication
is given concerning the constitution of
the proposed mixed commission, or as u
an amnesty OF political offenders. demand
ed by Bulgaria, there IS no disposition
here 10 believe that the negotiations Will
be effective.
When the Turkish diplomatic agent ,a's
morning communicated the sultans trade
to Premier petroff the latter is reported
to have answered that SO long as Turkey
did not withdraw her troops from the
frontier and did not ful6ll all her prom
ises Bulgaria was justified In believing
that Turkey was talking merely for talk $
sake The Sofia press refers to the lTaue
I'm similar terms and declines to consider
it seriously
Notwithstanding reports 10 the CON
trary, perfect tranquility, almost APP
preaching apathy, prevails throughout
bulgaria There IS not the slightest out
ward evidence that the country Is on
the verge OF war Even in military clrcies
there Is no excitement. though unccasing
preparation IS gong on
War the Only Solution.
The reports emanating from Turkish
quarters that the government IS in dan
ger of being carried away by popular ex-
element and that Bulgaria is likely to
take the first hostile steps, may be re-
garded as ridiculous Inventions. 1t IS
however. a fact that all hope Of good re
suits from the Turkish promises of re-
form has long disappeared and the feel
ing is growing that war is the sole solu-
ton to the Macedonian problem, the Only
question being whether it Will come this
autumn or be postponed until spring.
Preparations for the mobiliza ton of the
bulgarian army have been carried out
with singular completeness as to detail
and declaration of war will find the
Bulgarians sufficiently prepared me
equipment for the soldiers is ready. Large
Quantities of ammunition are on hand and
the stocks of general supplies are remark
ably comprehensive. The appearance of
the troops and their soldierly qualities are
q revea ton to foreigners.
The details of atrocities by the Turkish
troops IN Monastir daily reaching the
bulgarian government. equal and even
exceed those already published.
According to uncontirmed reports. the
Insurgents have captured the town OF
Melnik. e5 miles form Salonica. Severe
lighting is also reported from the neigh
borhood of Nevrokop, while kilograms
from Burgas describe the ptiable condi-
ton of the refugees who have arrived
there.
The insurgent general staff in the Mo
nastir vilayet has compiled an ella bOrate
report of events in the district of kasto-
ria between August 2 and September 2.
1t comprises a list of twenty-four villages,
which were plundered. A great number
of houses were burned and 572 villagers
killed