The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-16
Order for the Mobilization of Troops
Follows the Appeal to the Great
Powers of Europe.
PREMIER PETRoFF EXPLAINS
TURKEYS REASONS FOR TRYING TO
DEvASTATE MACEDONIA.
Attempting to Hinder Development of
the Bulgarian Race by Massacring
the Women and Children.

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Sept 15-Twenty thou
sand Bulgarian reserves, belonging to three
divisions on the Turkish frontier, have been
called to the colors. This action followed a
presentation of a note to the powers yes
terday.
No other important step is likely to be
taken at the present critical juncture. pend
ing the return to the capital of Prince Fer
dinand and a reply from the powers or
some intimation from them in response to
Bulgaria's note.
The air here is filled with rumors of mob
ilization. 1t is alleged that the first three
divisions of the army. having their centers
at Sofia, Philippopolis and Slivnav. have
been called out. In official quarters. how
ever, it is declared that the only step
actually decided upon is the summoning to
colors of the first three divisions who re-
tired from the army during the last three
years. This will give a force of some TO-
600 men who will be chiefly employed in
strengthening the troops along the from
tier.
Premier Petron was interviewed to-day
on the reasons which induced the Bulgarian
government to issue the note to the powers.
He said: 1T has been from the first
plainly evident that the policy of Turkey
was to hinder the development of the Bull
garian race in Macedonia which was the
strongest national element there. With this
end in view the Turks proceeded to de-
vastate the country and kill the Bulgarian
Christians, driving the survivors into the
mountains and forests, where they would
either perish of hunger or else cross the
Bulgarian frontier and become burden to
the Bulgarian nation. In the meanwhile
the powers paid not the slightest attention
to the Bulgarian note of June g. but rather
encouraged the Turks, who adopted the
most severe measures TO suppress the out
break. The Bulgarian government is now
compelled not only to protect Bulgaria it
self, but also the Bulgarian element in Ma
cedonia.
1T is further evident that Turkey has
directly encouraged the revolution. as with
ten times as many guards on the frontier
as Bulgaria employed the Turks never
stopped single revolutionary band, nor an
individual crossing the frontier. The Porte
was only too anxious TO have a pretext for
continuing the massacres and the extermi-
nation of the Bulgarian people. Turkey has
now concentrated 100000 troops in Mace
donia, only about $1,000 of whom are en-
There is no attempt to fight the insurgents,
but the troops attack innocent women and
children. The Bulgarian government is
forced to perceive in this excessive mobiliz-
she has succeeded in suppressing the out
break in Macedonia, to attack Bulgaria and
exterminate the Bulgarian race All our
latest information from Macedonia and
Constantinople confirms this view. Hilmi
Pasha, the vail of Salonica, has openly de-
clared that war with Bulgaria is the only
way of settling the Macedonian question.
The Constantinople press, which is under
the most severe censorship, was recently
allowed 10 publish the most sensational re-
ports with the object of increasing the
garian Christians.
THE latest news from Constantinople
says that. that the Porte lis is mobilizing the
GLIDING men of about fifty years Of age.
Yesterday came telegram from Burgas
saying that a company of Turkish troops,
while passing near frontier post, was
saluted by the Bulgarian guard, but the
Turkish officer did not acknowledge the
salute, turned his back and afterward re-
marked to the Bulgarian officer in COM
mand of the post: When we have finished
here will come and you Reports
have also been received of Turkish troops
crossing the Bulgarian frontier carrying
off sheep and committing other depreda-
tons. Confronted by such conditions, Bull
garia is forced to the conviction that Tur-
key intends to attack her. and the Sofia
government has taken this last step of ask
ing the powers to intervene. Otherwise
Bulgaria must take measures for her own
protection"
The revolutionary headquarters have re-
ceived news of a terrible situation at
Losengrad. The whole district is filled with
Turkish and Albanian troops and Bashi-
bazouks. Twelve villages have been burned
and over 100 families have been massacred.
Many of the women and girls captured
have been sent to various harems. About
100 widows and orphans have arrived at
the frontier village of Tekendge from
Losengrad.
All the Bulgarian prisoners In the town
Jail at Losengrad have been killed by
Mussulman prisoners, aided by the prison
guards.