The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-08-16
NO CAUSE FOR ALARM
Premier PETROL Thinks the
Macedonian Situation Well
in Hand.

Sofia, Bulgaria. Aug. 15.-Premier
PetroR has just returned from a visit
to the Macedonian frontier. where it
touches the district Of Dubnitza. and
he takes a somewhat optimistic view
Of the situation in Macedonia. He be-
Iieves that the outbreak viii be con-
fined to the village OF Monastir, where
the Turks viii probably succeed in
suppressing the instruction.
When interviewed today on the con-
ditions he discussed the affairs frankly
Regarding the reports that Bulgaria
was responsible for the outbreak, he
pointed out that the center Of the dis
turbed area is nearly 200 miles from
the Bulgarian frontier and is separated
from it by a country largely inhabited
by Turks. Consequently. he said. il is
foolish to say that the movement is
aided by bands from Bulgaria, and IL
is equally unreasonable to suggest that
the arms Of the insurgents came from
Bulgaria.
He asserted that as a matter of fact
the guns used by the insurgents are
all of French manufacture, and that
most of them were bought from Turk
ish officers and men who, receiving no
pay, had resorted to the sale OF their
guns and ammunition TO obtain money.
The insurrection, he declared, was en-
tirely a national Macedonian move
ment, organized by the Macedonian in
ternal committee. which in itself was
proof Of the shocking condition of af-
fairs due 20 the excuses OF Turkish
soldiers, who, on the preteXt Of search
ing for arms. entered Macedonian vii
le ges to plumber and destroy. The sit
uation in the unhappy villages he
thought had been rendered more des-
perate by the refusal of the Turks TO
permit the unemployed to leave in or
der to secure work elsewhere. This
goaded the population to the most des-
| perate measures. Premier Petrof de-
clared that the Bulgarian government
Is doing its utmost to maintain peace.
Not only is the frontier carefully
! guarded to prevent the crossing Of in
dividual bands" said he, but a rigid
inspection also exists at interior points,
I and it is absolutely certain that no
bands, large or small, are passing the
| frontier at this time. a few individuals
may. of course, be crossing. Little ex-
citement or enthusiasm is evident in
Bulgaria now. but should the unex-
| pected happen and a massacre of Bull
/ garians occur, or should the move
I ment assume alarming proportions. the
/ population of Bulgaria would naturally
| become greatly excited, and while the
/ government is most anxious to main
tain peace. it would. OF course, be
| forced TO consider Bulgarian popular
| sentiment. Thus most critical situa
! ton might arise. IT appears now.
| however. as if the movement would be
| confined, notwithstanding the reports
/ of fits extension"
| M. Petrof says that the Turks are
/ pouring overwhelming forces into
/ NonastiT. and that they are sufficient
I not only to suppress the present rising.
4 but to destroy the entire revolutionary
! movement unless the powers intervene
/ to prevent Turkey from taking rigor-
/ Gus measures Upon the whole the
! premier believes there is no immediate
/ Cause for alarm. On the contrary he
/ - Of the opinion that the situation will
! soon change for the better