Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-09-11
WAR REPORTS
ARE CONFLICTING.
Open Hostilities Predicted at
Constantinople, But View
at Sofia Disagrees.
THE KILLING IS KEPT UP
Work Of determination in Macsdo-
MIA Proceeds Without Any Check
Russia and Austria Propose Ac.
tlon BY Powers.

Berlin, Sept. 8.Russia and Austria
have proposed that the powers take
coercive action at Sofia, with the aim
OF severing the relations now existing;
between Bulgaria and the Macedonian
insurgents. Germany has assented,
but several Of the powers have object
ed and the Russian and Austrian pro-
posal, the Associated Press is officially
informed, has probably fallen through.
London. Sept. Especial dispatches
from the far east published here this
morning add little fresh news regard
ing the situation in the Balkans. All
the correspondents at ConstantinOple
emphasize the apparent danger Ot war
with Bulgaria, while the Sofia CORE
sp0ndents are equally insistent as to
the prudent and correct attitude OF
Prince Ferdinand and his government.
Accounts from both Turkish and in
surgent sources Of the operations in
Macedonia show that the work Of ex-
termination Is proceeding unchecked,
and, although apparently realizing
the danger Of confagration, the
powers, are making some attempts to
Interfere, 1t is believed that nothing
of serious nature will be done until
after the meeting of the car and
Emperor Francis Joseph at Vienna,
when it may be too late.
The insurgents are now said to mum.
Der $4,000 well armed and efficiently
commanded men. The leaders seem
ingly will stop at nothing to secure
resources for their equipment.
The Sofia correspondent Of the
Daily Telegraph says:
Il am in close touch with the insur.
gents and am enabled to affirm en-
phatically that unless acceptable
proposals are made within two
or three weeks Europe will be
startled by q record Of deeds un.
equaled in the blood stained history
Of the east
The Morning Leaders correspond
ent at Sofia says the Turkish policy is
to draw the insurgents into action at
all points. The bands, however, are
avoiding conflicts until their prepare.
tons are completed. They are gather.
ing in strong masses at various strate-
gic positions with view to compre-
hensive move inside of ten days.
An unconflrmed report from Vienna
states that the Bulgarian exarch has
been shut up in his palace because of
his refusal to issue further pastoral
letter asking the Bulgarians to lay
down their arms. A dispatch from
Monastir, dated September 5, says:
"In Turkish circles war with Bull
garia is considered to be imminent.
Himli Pasha, inspector general Of Mac
edOnia, himself says he sees no other
solution. The final reserves are being
warned to hold themselves in readi.
ness and orders have been issued to
the principal towns to supply horses
and money and otherwise make mill
tary preparation
"In the attempt to stamp out the in.
surrection in this quarter SO as to re.
lease the troops for operations else.
where, there is, unfortunately, every
reason to suspect that an attempt is
being made to induce the indiscriminate
slaughter of the Bulgarian element, in
which Christians of all denominations
are in danger of being treated alike.
Should this prove true, there can be
no hope of saving the greater part of
the Christian population In the remote
districts of western Macedonia"