The Indianapolis journal., 1903-09-25
No Credence Put In the Proposed Re-
form Measures and Bulgaria Goes
ON Preparing for Conflict.
REPORTS OF MORE ATROCITIES
DEAD N KAsTORIA NUMBERED ST.
IN FORTY-ONE DAYS.
Six Hundred Turks Killed i'm n Fight
at Kofchani Last week-COndftiOn
of the Bulgarian Army.

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Sept. 2i.-The diplo-
matte agents OF Russia and Austria Hun
gary have informed the Bulgarian govern
ment that they have been instructed to
communicate that their governments, in
agreement with the other great powers, are
resolved never 10 depart from the pub
lshed programme of reforms in Mace
dona. and that Bulgaria must not count
on any support for any other purpose The
agents further announced that. the same
declaration would be made at CONSTANT
nople.
The imperial Ottoman commissioner has
informed the Bulgarian government that
the Sultan has promulgated trade sane
tioning the programme Of reform which is
to De carried oot by a mixed commission.
and that he has deputed Hilmi Pasha TO
superintend the execution OF the pro-
gramme with orders to suspend the perse
cutIOn OF the Bulgarians. As no indica-
tion is given concerning the constitution
OF the proposed mixed commission or as
TO an amnesty OF political offenders, de-
manded by Bulgaria. there is disposition
here to believe that the negotiations will
be effective
When the Turkish diplomatic agent this
morning communicated the Sultans trade
20 Premier Petroff the latter is reported to
have answered that so long as Turkey did
rot withdraw her troops from the frontier
and did not fulfill all her promises Bulgaria
was justified I'm believing tnat Turkey. was
talking merely for talk' s sake The Sofia
press refers TO the trade in similar terms
and declines to consider IL seriously.
According To unconfirmed reports the in
surgents have captured the town of Mel
nix, Sixty-fiye miles from Salonfca. Severe
6QntfnC also rpnorted from the nelQhDOr-
hood OF NevrOkOp, while kilograms from
Burgas describe the pitiable condition OF
thousands of refugees who have arrived
according to a telegram received here to-
day from kostendil, forty-three miles from
Sofia, SO Turks were killed in night at
kotchani Sept Is The Turkish forces num-
oered 100. After the Tight the troops,
enrased at their losses. pillaged and
burned a number of Bulgarian villages.
Advices from Uskub say that five bat
talions of Turkish troops left Sovovitch
yesterday for Merotsoro from where q band
OF revolutionists has been threatening
PeElepe- Three other battalons have pro-
ceeded 10 Neveska, where insurgent bands
have reappeared-
from the burned village OF klissurti. and
al attempts TO recover them have been
unavailing. the soldiers refusing TO obey
their officers
Notwithstanding reports TO the contrary
perfect tranquility. almost approaching
apathy. prevails throuk1 Bulgaria There
the country is on the verge Of war Even
In military circles there is no excitement,
trough unceasing preparation is going on.
The reports ernanating from Turkish quar-
ters that the government Is in danger of be-
Ing carried away by popular excitement
and that Bulgaria Is likely TO take the
first hostile steps may be regarded as
ridiculous inventions. IL is. however. a fact
that ali hope OF good results from the Turk
ish promises of reform has long disap-
peared and the feeling is growing that
war is the sole solution TO the Macedonian
problem. the only question being whether
II Will come this autumn or be postponed
until spring.
Preparations for the mobilization of the
Bulgarian army have been carried out with
singular completeness as to detail. and
declaration of war will find the Bulgarians
sufficiently prepared. The equipment for
the soldiers is ready. Large quantities of
ammunition are on hand. and the stocks OF
general supplies are remarkably compre-
hensIve. The appearance of the troops
shows attention to details. and their SOL
dierly qualities are a revelation TO foreign
ers. The officers are fully equipped for
their profession. and the men willingly un-
dergo hard drill daily.
The details or atrocities by the Turkish
troops in Monastir, daily reaching the Bull
gar1an government, equal and even exceed
those already published.
The insurgent general staff in the Mon
astir vilayet has compiled an elaborate re-
port OF events IN the district of Kastoria.
between Aug. and Sept. Il. Ii comprises
list OF twenty-four villages which were
plundered. A great number of houses We're
burned and So villagers killed. The report
gives the names, ages and manner OF death
At the victims.