Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-23
.F0RTy-EIGHT HOURS
Will Decide Question Of a Bull
garian-Turkish War.
The Diplomats at Sofa Still Pretend
to Have Hopes Of Peace.
Other Indications Say That Trouble
Has Just Commenced.

Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept. 22.-Within As
hours the question of peace or war will
probably be settled, according to au-
lucrative opinions here. Premier Pc
troff had an interview, this morning.
with Ali Feruh Bey. at which the whole
of the situation in Macedonia was dis
cussed. AS a result of this conference,
much better feeling prevails and con-
iident hopes are expressed that a sat
isfactory adjustment will be reached.
This view is strengthened by report
from Constantinople to The Associated
Press that the council of ministers, af-
ter several days of discussion, are
within measurable distance of an
agreement on the chief points at 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 re-
fugees from the district of Losengrad.
After discussion an understanding
was practically reached that Turkey
should guarantee the safe protection of
the refugees and take steps to REIN
state them in their homes. The gen.
eral effect of these conferences in Con-
stantinople and Sofia has induced a
much more hopeful feeling here, al
though in Balkan affairs it is always
possible that the next days happenings
may change the entire situation.
The war ministry has taken steps to
strengthen the Bulgarian frontier
forces and it is reported that troops
will occupy all the commanding posi-
lions thus making it almost impossible
for bands to cross the frontier. Some
regiments of the second and third
Levants have been ordered to Adrian
ope frontier where the Turks have
massed strong bodies of troops. .,.
Revolutionary bands are reported to
be active in the district of Razlog,
province of Sores, where they hold all
the mountain passes. The Turkish
population is fleeing towards Salonica.
A list compiled from official sources
is published giving the names of and
detailing details regarding % villages
in the district of Malkoternovo, Is in
the district of Kirth, Kilisse, Vasiliko
and three in Nezene which have been
the scene of pillage, murder and out
RACES by Turkish troops
London, Sept. 13.-The Balkan situa-
ton, today, presents a somewhat puZ-
zling aspect. Turkey is showing signs
of yielding to the Bulgarian demands
and it is evident from the daily meet
ing of the council of ministers at Yildiz
Kiosk, that some sort of negotiations
are in progress with the object of avert
ing war. According to a dispatch to
The Daily Mail from Constantinople,
either to make an arrangement salts
factory to the Macedonians or obtain
from the great powers promises of neu-
traity if it is found impossible to avoid
war. Apparently both Turkey and
Bulgaria are anxious to repudiate hay
ing taken the initiative in the negotia-
tons.
The Sofia correspondent of the Daily
Telegraph asserts that the overtures
came from Turkey and was welcomed
by the Bulgarian ministers on the con-
dtion that deeds were substituted for
words and that the cessation of whole
sale massacres should become an ac-
complished fact. He adds that pa
cific solution if it comes, will emnate
from Constantinople where the Bull
garian representative is invested with
full powers, and negotiations are said
to be proceeding satisfactorily.
The assertion is made in another So
fla telegram that the Sultan will issue
AN trade, Thursday, granting the de-
nand for a mixed commission, but this
statement is not confirmed and would
seem to be negative by the dispatches
from Constantinople.
Monastir CORRESPONDENT of the
Daily Chronicle, writing Sept. Il. says
the Bulgarian list of villages pillaged
and burned reached total Of 104. Ac-
cording to a dispatch from Odessa the
| whole Russian Black Sea fleet Is kept
| on war footing in readiness for any
eventuality.