The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-23
PEACE OR WAR IN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS
Whole Macedonian Situation Gone Over at a Conference
FEELING IS MORE HOPEFUL
In the Agreement About to Be Pre- sented the Porte Is Asked to Grant General Amnesty and Stop
 the Persecution.

Sofia, Bulgaria, September 22.-Within forty-eight hours the question of peace or war will probably be settled, accord ing to authoritative opinions here. Pre- mier Petroff had an interview this morn ing with Ali Feruh Bey at which the whole situation in Macedonia was discuss ed. As a result of this conference much better feeling prevailed, and confident hopes are expressed that a satisfactory adjustment will be reached. This view is strengthened by a report from Gonstan- tinople to the effect that the council or ministers after some days discussion Is within measureable distance of an agree ment on the chief points at issue.
 The premier complained to the Turkish diplomatic agent of the situation created by the arrival at Burgas of thousands of destitute and starving refugees from the district of Losengrad. After a d!s- cussion an understanding was practically reached that Turkey should guarantee the safe protection of the refugees and take steps to reinstate them in their homes.
 Much More Hopeful Feeling.
 The general effect of these conferences in constantinople and Sofia has induced a much more hopeful feeling here, al- though in Balkan affairs it is always pos sible that the next days happenings may change the entire situation. The war mlh- istry has taken steps to strengthen me Bulgarian frontiers and 1t IS fepor'eu that troops will occupy all the commando ing positions, thus making it almost nm possible for bands to cross the ironiier Some regiments of the second and thlrd divisions have been ordered to the Ad- rianople frontier where the Turks have massed strong bodies of troops.
 Revolutionary bands are reported to be ective in the district of Raslog, province of Seres. where they hold all the noun tain passes. The Turkish population S fleeing towards Salonica
 The following is the position oi the Turco- Bulgarian negotiations
 The porte recently manifested a dispo- sition to consider proposals for direct understanding and Bulgaria advanced the following conditions:
 l. The porte to grant general amnes- ty and stop the persecution or the bui- earians in Macedonia.
 A mixed commission to be formed, the Bulgarian members of which should be nominated by the Bulgarian eXarch and never be in a minority on the com mission, to elaborate administrative re- forms: arrange for an extension of local administrative autonomy; insure the safe ty of the highways and the equality Of Christians and Musselmans before the courts: reform the taxation and gendar- mic and provide for personal security.
 Would Become Council.
 After the accomplishment of these tasks the commission. which would probably sit at Salonica. would become the council of the inspector general, and would de- pute one of it's Bulgarian members to re- port to the sultan on the progress of af- fairs
 Bulgaria also asked that the burned vil- lages be rebuilt with government assist ance. the refugees repatriated. and an especial ordinance issued providing Tor the organization and administration of the Bulgarian schools and churches. These proposals seem to have been ac- | cepted in principle. although nothing | definite has yet been decided. Even in the | event of an agreement being arrived at. | proofs of good faith would be required as a guarantee of the execution of the | reforms. and if not forthcoming. the Macedonans would continue their agita- tion list compiled from official sources Is l published giving the names of and details regarfspg twenty-three villages in the sststrict of Malkoternovo, eighteen in the | district of Kirk Kilisse four in Vasiliko and three in Vezene, which have been the scene of pllage. murder and outrage | by Turkish troops.