The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-22

ConStantlnOple, Friday, September Is.
Within the last twenty-four hours a
more reassuring feeling has prevailed.
due to the assurances received that the
Bulgarian mobilization is only applied
to few regiments and is intended for
reinforcement of the frontier posts
WANTED TO HASTEN REFORMS.
Paris, September 19.-At the meeting
Of the council of ministers today For
eign Minister Del Casse announced that
Russia and Austria had declared that
they would only intervene in Macedonia
in order to hasten reform They had
suggested, NJ. Del Casse added, that the
other powers might support the cabi-
this end.
POWERS WANT TO RESTORE Or
DER IN EUROPEAN TURKEY.
London, September 19.-The Associat-
ed Press learns that war between Tur-
key and Bulgaria is not now regarded
as imminent by the foreign office or
other diplomatic centers in London. 1t
is stated that under no circumstances
will the powers permit Turkey to occu-
py Bulgarian territory, hence Turkey
has nothing to gain by hostilities.
Regarding the renewed rumors that a
British fleet is going to Turkish waters,
the Associated Press is officially in
formed that as Balkan matters have
been left in the hands of Russia and
Austria. such action is not contemplate
ed by Great Britain, or, so far as known
hxy<l tIn Iro f1,or
the powers are daily exchanging COM
munications with the view of determin-
ing on some possible means of restoring
order in European Turkey, but so far
they have devised no plan that would
not be likely to increase. rather than
diminish the gravity Of the situation.
REVOLUTIONARIES ARE PREPAR-
ED FOR A GENERAL RISING.
Sofia, Bulgaria, September 19.-The
revolutionaries are now concentrating
all their operations in Eastern Macedo-
mia, the latest dispatches from which
locality a report comes that general
rising which was fixed to begin today.
The insurgents claim to have accum-
mulated vast stores of arms and ammu-
milton and dynamite to be prepared to
enter upon a serious campaign.
Fighting already is proceeding at
Melnik, Province of Series, which place
is besieged by bands of insurgents un-
der the leadership Of StOyanoff, Panko6.
Zografoff, and Darvinhoff, all of whom
formerly were officers in the Bulgarian
army. The town Of Melnik is a very
| important strategic point in the noun
| tains, commanding the road between
Demirhissar and RaZlog. Those be-
sieging it number 1,5OO, while the Turk
| ish garrison is believed to consist of
only one battalion. The result of the
| attack upon the town is not yet known,
| but a telegram from Kencharinovo says
| that additional Turkish troops are 60
| ing thence to Melnik.
| Severe fighting IS reported to have
| taken place at Okrida. A band of rev.
| olutionaries operating near Brijeni sur
| rounded a force of Turkish troops and a
| fight ensued which lasted throughout
| an entire day. In the evening the in
| surgents, reinforced by bands under
Sarafoff, attacked the Turks on all sides
and routed them. The Turks lost nine
| ty killed. 1t is reported that the troops
| will now move only in bodies Of from
| three to four thousand.
| Turkish soldiers are reported to have
| burned five villages in the district Of
| KaStOria