The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-25
WILL ADHERE ID
 PLAN OF REFORM Russia and Austria-HuRgary
 VIII Not Help Bulgaria SULTAN ISSUES 4 NEW IRADE
He Says the Persecution of Chris tians Will Be Stopped, But None of the Macedonian Leaders
 Believe He Is Sincere.

Sofia, Bulgaria, September A.-The dip lomatic agents of Russia and Austria Hungary have informed the Bulgarian government that they have been instruct ed to communicate that their governments in agreements with the other great pow CTS, are resolved never to depart from the published programme of reform in Mace donia, 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 Con stantnople.
 The Imperial Ottoman commissioner has informed the Bulgarian government that the sultan has promulgated an trade sanctioning the programme of reform which is to be carried out by mixed commission, and that he has deputed Hill mi Pasha to superintend the execution of the programme with orders to suspend the persecution of the Bulgarians.
 As no indication is given concerning the constitution of the proposed mixed com mission, or as to an amnesty of political offenders demanded by Bulgaria, there Is no disposition here to believe that the negotiations will be effective.
 Talking for Talks Sake.
 When the Turkish diplomatic agent this morning communicated the sultan's an swer to Premier Peteroff, the latter is re- ported to have answered that so long as Turkey did not withdraw her troops from the frontier and did not fulfill all her promises. Bulgaria was justified in be- lieving that Turkey was talking merely for talks sake. The Sofia press refers to the trade in similar terms, and declines to consider 1t seriously
 Notwithstanding reports to the contra ry perfect tranquility, almost approach ing apathy, prevails throughout Bulga- ria There Is not the slightest outward evidence that the country is on the verge of war. Even in military circles there is no excitement, though unceasing pre- paration is going on. The reports ema- mating from Turkish quarters that the government is in danger of being carried away by popular excitement, and that Bulgaria Is likely to take the first hostile steps, may be regarded as ridiculous in- ventions. It is. however, a fact that all hope of good results from the Turkish promises of reform has long disappeared, and the feeling is growing that war is the sole solution to the Macedonian problem, the only question being whether it will come this autumn or be postponed until spring.
 Mobilization Continues.
 Preparations for the mobilzations of the Bulgarian army have been carried out with singular completeness as to detail, and a declaration of war will find the BuIgarians sufficiently prepared. The equipment for the soldiers Is ready. Large quantities of ammunition are on hand and the stocks of general supplies are re- markedly comprehensive. The appearance of the troops and their soldierly qualities are a revelation to foreigners.
 The details of atrocities by the Turk sh troops in Monastir daily reaching the Bulgarian government, equal and even exceed those already published.
 According to unconfirmed reports the insurgents have captured the town of Melnik, sixty-five miles from Salonica, Severe fighting Is also reported from the neighborhood of Nevrokop. while tele- grams from Burgas describe the pitiable condition of the refugees who have ar lived there.
 The insurgent general staff in the Mon- lstir vilayet has compiled an elaborate report of events in the district of Kas- .oria, between August and September 12. 1t comprises list of twenty-four villages which were plundered. A great number of houses were burned and 572 villagers kill sd.
 Especially Significant.
 London, September 25.-An official note hnilar to that issued today by the Rus ,an government has been published in Vienna These warnings to Turkey and Bulgaria coming on the eve of the visit of the Czar and of Count Lamsdorff to Vienna, are especially significant.
 The Daily Mails correspondent al Ser Hn hears that the Russian foreign minis Ter Is bringing to Vienna a new scheme If Macedonian reforms. and also a plan ,or consideration according to which Fur rev will be allowed to fight Bulgaria and servia and having beaten them, she ,hall exercise sovereignty under the su- oervision of Austria and Russia who will find the money and ammunition for Turkey.
 Dispatches from Sofia report the arrival Ghere of war correspondents from all ,arts of the world and say that the in- urgent leaders have given orders to the ,ands not to resort to retaliative opera ions for several days.
 Great meetings of protest against the Turkish atrocities in Macedonia were ield in London and Manchester last light, in the former case at the city tenn ,le, where the Reys. R. J. Campbell, John Clifford and F. B. Meyer were among the packers.