THE BALKANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 976, 24 August 1903, Page 2

THE BALKANS.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Aug. 21. The Turks captured a large insurgent band at Fiorina. It is reported that the peasants of the district arc laying down arms. Another band crossed the Bulgarian frontier towards Drama, where Ibrahim Pasha has had reinforcements sent. Greece has appealed to the Powers to terminate the excesses, and complains that the Greek Church and schools at Kutchevo have been dynamited and 322 Greek houses burned. Several Greeks were killed. There are indications that Greece P trying to concludo a military, ’reaty in accordance with the secret clause of the offensive and defensive inter-Consular Convention to ena'njto Greece to annex Crete in return for her services.

TWELVE VILLAGES DESTROYED.

RUSSIAN DEMANDS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 0.22 a.m., Aug. 23. Constantinople, Aug. 21.

Insurgents burned Vasoliko, Eastern Adrianoplo, and twelve villages. Tho officials of the place were captured and conveyed to Bulgaria, whoro tho captors wero arrested and imprisoned. Severe fighting has takou place at Geogolo. Heavy losses wero sustained on both aides.

Russian domands on Turkoy includo concession of a oablo in the Black Soa, heretofore the property of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company.

i London, Aug. 22. Tho Standard’s correspondent at Odessa reports that after the Russian Admiral Krueger left Odessa with the squadron, Admiral Syrydloff was instructed to hold the remainder of tho entire squadron in instant readiness in ease of noed.

In addition to movements in the navy, Russian military commands in southwestern military districts uro again under provisional mobilisation orders. The Times says that the Sultan has promised to employ Russian, Austrian, and Hungarian officials to reorganise his mothods of government in disaffected districts,

DREADFUL MASSACRE,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 8.42 a.m., Aujj. 23. Sofia, Aug. 22. A revolution has begun in the eastern part of the vilayot of Adrianople. The opinion expressed at Sofia is that the arrival of the squadron encouraged the Revolutionists. Honastir advices state that Turks massacred two hundred surrenderors in a village in that district. Constantinople, Aug. 22. The Porte is engaging four Belgian officers of Gendarmerie, and hopes to reform the Gendarmerie, these officers, together with two Swedish officers already appointed, to be entrusted with the task.