Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-09-25
OFFICIAL NOTE ISSUED.
Austro-Russian Reform Scheme For
Macedonia Unchanged.

Austro-Russian Reform Scheme For
Macedonia Unchanged.
st. Petersburg, Sept 24.-The Rus
sian government has issued an Off
cial note reiterating that the position
Of the powers In regard to the Austro-
Russian reform scheme for Macedonia
Is unchanged, and that consequently
neither Turkey nor Bulgaria can ex-
pect support from any quarter in the
event of open or secret resistance to
that scheme.
The government, after pointing out
the fact that the reforms at the outset
were attended with good results, con-
Gnues:
These, however, did not satisfy
the Macedonian committees, which
have sprung up in the Slav states.
The probability that has become ap-
parent that the Christian population
would calm down under the influence
Of reforms deprived these committees
Of all favorable ground for the reali-
cation of their revolutionary plans.
w
vas the protection OF their country
reAgionists against Turkeys oppression
these committees in reality seek to re-
tain their selfish aim Of modifying
the administrative system In the prov
inoe SO as to convert IL into Bulgarian
Macedonian TO the detriment of the
rights and privileges of the other
Christian peoples, whose ipterests are
equally dear to orthodox Russia"
AS the leaders. found. no support
AMONG the non,Bulgarian element in
Macedonia, they exerted themselves
to raise general insurrecrion by the
cruel outrages apd terrorism in order
to hinder the Introduction of the pro-
jected reforms. Unnappily, in spite
of the precautions Of the Sifa govern
ment the Macedonian agitation spread
considerably In Bulgaria itself In find
ing support among those who mistak-
@nly reckoned that the outbreak thus
caused would compel Russia to alter
her program and proclaim herself the
champion of the unreaHzable plans of
the leaders OF the revolution. This
fatal conception against which Russia
gave incessant warnings, has brought
upon the Christians In the Turkish
vilayets grievous oppression, which
only will end when the incursion of
insurgents from Bulgaria and the rev.
olutionary avtivity of the committees
cease. Not until then can the imme-
diate application Of reforms needed by
the population and by which they will
be protected from Turkish atrocities,
be insisted upon by the most energetic
endeavors having failed to bride the
fanatictgn Of the Mussulmans. In
view Of the thickening complications
the Russian and Austrian governments
have reiterated their views to this of.
feet, beth at Sofia ana at Constantine
pie, and acting on the suggestion Of
Austria and Russia, all the govern
m@nts of the powers which signed the
treaty of Berlin have instructed their
representatives to Turkey and Bull
garaa to emphasize their full unanij
ty in the Austro- Russian work OF paci.
tying the Balkans SO rs to remove all
misconceptions OF possible assistance
in the event Of dangerous enterprises.
These representatives have been in.
struotd to make a declaration to the
governments OF Turkey and Bulgaria
as follows
The present state of affairs in the
Turkish vtiayets which is due to the
criminal Intentions of committees and
evolutionary bands does not alter the
attitude of the powers in regard to the
program Of action advanced early in
TIE year by the two powers most in.
tsrested. Consequently neither Tur.
&sy nor Bulgaria can rely on the sup.
port Of any power in the event of open
ossssoret opposition to the realization
Of this scheme
The imperial government hopes
this new warning will convince Turkey
as well as Bulgaria of the futility of
any attempt to avoid the fulfllment
Of demands made upon them, and cause
them to take all the measures In their
power for the repression of the dis
turbances In the Balkan peninsular
which can only have the most serious
consequences for both the Ottoman EN-.
pire and Bulgaria"