The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-30
on The BRINK Of VAR.
Il is Said That the Question Will
Soon be Settled IN the Balkans.
Turkey Promises 10 Protect Bull
qarian Refugees From Macedo-
MIA and Reinstate Them in
Their Homes.

Their HoMes.
Sofa. Bulgaria. Sept 22.-Within
forty-eight hours the question OF
peace or war will probably be settled.
according to authoritative opinions
here. Premier Petrof had an inter
view today with Ali Feruh Bey, at
which the whole situation in Macedo-
MIA was discussed. AS result OF ms
conference much better feeling pre-
walls and confident hopes are express,
ed that satisfactory adjustment Wall
be reached. This view is strengthened
by q report from Constantinople to
the effect that the council OF MINIS
fers after some days discussion, is
within measurable distance OF an
agreement on the chief points OF the
issue.
The premier complained to the
Turkish diplomatic agent OF the si5ua-
tion created by the arrival at BuJsas,
OF thousands Of destitute and sta wing
rafngeas from the district Of Losen-
Grade. After a discussion an under
standing was practically reached taas
Turkey should guarantee the safe pre-
lection OF the refugees and take steps
TO reinssate them In their homes.
: The general effect Of these confer
eaces in Conssantinople and Soma mas
iinduced 8 much more hopeful feeling
here. althouga IN Balkan afalrs at IS
saIWays. possible that the next days
happenings may change the entire Sit
uation.
The war ninistry has taken steps to
strengthen the Bulgarian frontlef
forces. and it is reported that troops
viii occupy all the commanding posi-
lions thus making it impossible Tor
bands TO cross shes fronsier. oolne
regiments Of the I'd and 80 DIVISIONS
have been ordered to the Adr1anopis
frontier, where the Turks have masseo
strong bodies of troops.
Later: The following Is the poslSlon
OF the Turco- Bulgarian negotiations !:
The Porte recently manifested DIS
nosi ton to consider proposals fora dl-
reet understanding, and Bulgaria ad-
Yaneed the following conditions:
First. the Forte to grant genera!
amnesty and stop the persecution OF
tha Bulearians in Macedonia; second,
. mixed commission to be formed, the
Rn Ioarian members Of which should
ba nominated by the Bulgarian
F,rarch. and rgeyer be in minority
on the commission; to elaborate ao-
ministratiye reforms arrange TOT an
extension Of local adminlstraSlYe
autonomy insure the safety OF the
highYays and the equality OF Chris
fans and Mussulmans before 5ne
Conrts: reform the taxation and gem
darmery and provide Tor personal
security.
These proposals seem to have been
aeeepted IN principle. although moth
inc defnitiYe has yet been decided.
The PORTE; sNUBs BULGARIA.
Conssantinople, Sept. 22.-The
Porte. afsar several meetings at the
YiIiiz Kiosk to discuss the Bulgarian
nranosal that an International COM
mission be appointed TO deal with
-Maeedonia, has dispatched reply,
poiinting out that it considers the mis-
Sion entrusted to Hilni Pasha, the
inspector general, to be equiyalens TO
the commission proposed by Bulgaraa,
and adding that if the Bulgarian Gov
eminent is powerless TO reestaDt!sn
and maintain order among It's popula-
ton It's suzerain is always ready TO
come to its assistance.
REFUGEES FROM LosENGRADE.
Sofa, Bulgaria. Sept 22.-Ten
thousand refugees from the district OF
SIosengrade arrived at B1rgals during
the last three days, according to OH
cial adyiees.
Sofa. Bulgaria. Sept. Pa less
hopeful feeling prevails TO-DAY III gov,
ernment circles regarding the genera
situation, although no actual change
IS reported. The events of the next
two DAYS are awaited with great an3-
iety and popular feeling is becoming
moro excited. a largely attended
meeting OF Macedonian sympath1zers,
held at Rustchuk, Bulgaria, has
adopted resolutions appealing to the
Bulgarian government to declare was
on Turkey Immediately.
In revolutionary circles, war IS De
lieyed to be imminent unless Turkey
stops massacreing Christians, OF which
there are no signs at present. Dr.
Christie Tatartchef, president OF the
Macedonian organization, has inform
ed the Associated Press correspondent
that the insurgent committees attach
no Importance to the reported negotia-
tions between Turkey and Bulgaria
because similar propositins were dis,
cussed in 1897 and later in 1899 and
1900. The porte, added Dr.. TatartcheH,
only entered into conference IN o!oer
to gain time to finish the extermina-
ticn of what it regards as the danger
Gus element in Macedonia, and have
the troops at Monastir free to move
against Bulgaria and bring more sold
iers from Asia. While discussing pre-
parations for reforms in Macedonia
the troops continue to massacre the
Christians and devastate the country.
Special significance attaches to the
Of PrctohnE no.