Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-08-20

schoolmasters the Bulgarian schools were
closed before the end of the school year.
The authorities vigorously enforced the
same order against the Bulgarian priests.
Encouraged by the Ottoman authorities
the Greek bishops and archmandrtcs
forced their way into the Bulgarian
churches, burned the prayer books and
employed menaces to compel the people to
acknowledge the Greek patriarch. The
archmandrte of Salonica declared in a
recent sermon that the Sultan did not
want Bulgarian eXarches in his empire
If they remained they would be extermi-
mated.
In addition to the decree banishing the
Bulgarian tradesmen from Constantnoplc
and Salonica, the Porte adopted meas
ures to ruin the traders elsewhere. Every
possible means was used to install Mus
sulmans in Bulgarian villages.
REDUCED TO sERFDOM.
On tho slightest pretext the Bulgarians
were forced to sell their lands to the
Turks at any price the latter chose to
pay. Burdcned with taxes. liable to per
form statute labor for the Turkish land
owners, the population is reduced to 2
state of serfdom. This is one OF the prin-
cipal causes OF discomfort and when is
added the eXaCtions of tho taxgathercrs
it is not difficult to understand why the
despotic government and servitude.
In conclusion the memorandum asserts
that the foregoing exposure once more
condemnes Ottoman administrative gov
eminent in Europe. II says:
From sad experience the Porte must
learn that systematic persecution, cruel
injustice and bloody repression do not re-
store order and peace in a country The
Porte accepted in principle the project
Of reform which it has not put into effect
It has declared that the project is insult
hcient. Lastly. the Porte formally prom
.sod the bulgarian government to cease
the arrests of Bulgarian priests and
schoolmasters, reopen the churches and
schools, release the prisoners and punish
he officials guilty of exactions; in short,
to adopt policy of justice and ameliora-
lion.
Not only has the Porto failed to OBJ
rye single one Of these promises hut
has enacted sterner measures OF re-
"rcSSion. What must he the result of all
This" Tired of waiting the fulilment Of
| promises of better conditions and driven
to despair the Bulgarian population
| nave thrown themselves into a revolution
| Hhich is now spreading In an Ottoman
rovincc, 80 miles from the Bulgarian
rontier.
| The causes Of this revolution are to
| ~ known. The responsibility is fed anc
1 80 VI ~ 'tIl no longer accuse the lsri.
| trian prncipalty."
| MAKES DIPLOMATS UNEASY.
| the memorandum has made a stront
| impression in diplomatic circles. 'rh,
| Austrian diplomatic agent has alrcad,
| called ON tho premier to express his any
| iety regarding the results that NAV en-
| sue from its publication. The Frencl
and Italian agents also expressed un
easiness although they took les
| gloomy view.
INSURRECTION IS SPREADING.
| Rome, Aug l6.-Rcports from Bull
! garian sources received here confirm
the statement that the instruction fl
| the Balkins is spreading and dali,
gaining ground. The Headquarters o
the revolutionary forces is the higI
plateau OF Bahia Pelister, which is con
sidered the key to the vilayet of Mon
astir and tho insurgents are strongl,
posted at all the strateEical points or
the roads at all strategical points OF
! SalOniCa.