THE BALKANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 996, 15 September 1903, Page 3

THE BALKANS.

'A BIG HUMAN “ DRIVE.”

.TURKS PREPARING FOR MORE

AWFUL BUTCHERIES

■ By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Constantinople, Sept. 13. Tho prisons of Constantinople are crowded with Bulgarians and Macedonians arrested on the evo of tho anniversary of the Sultan’s accession. Eighty-four Christian villages in Monastir district have been destroyed during the recent operations. Tho Turks aro preparing a big “ drive ” in the Yenidgo district. In a rocent fight at Rosun ono hundred and threo insurgents woro killed. The Powers support America’s demand for tho dismissal of tho Vali of .Boyrout. Paris, Sept. 13. Admiral Jauro Quibircng is in readiness to toko two French battloships and threo cruisers to tho Levant to protect Prench interests.

BULGARIAN SOLDIERS .JOINING THE INSURGENTS. 25y Telegraph—Press association —Copyright Received 10.45 p.m,, Sept. 14. Constantinople, Sept. 14. A quantity of explosives discovered in Bulgaria in a merchant’s office is supposed to bo connected with intended attempts on the British and Austrian post offices and Band of Salonika, The Albanian forces were dofeatod near Vasiliko, losing 100. The Macedonians woro defeated in tho Kirchevo hills, 90 being killed. There is increasing uneuainoss in Bulgaria owing to the close proximity of tho Turkish troops. Many Bulgarian soldiers aro deserting under cover of darkness and joining the insurgents. Received midnight. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 14. Soldiers fired upon and killed seven and wounded twenty-seven Armenians who were protesting against tin: transfer of the church to the civil authorities at Elizabcthpoi, Russian Transcaucasiis. VIENNA, Sept. 14. An official Stamiboul telegram roceived here mentions an incompletely verified report that the troops beheaded two hundred and twenty .Macedonians and Bulgarians' at Almadzik, near Kirkklisse, in the presence of their families. The report emphasises the Albanian excesses and devastation at Erekler, Almadzik, and other villages. LONDON, Sept. 14. The Times Vienna corrcspondeno states that Russia and Austria repeatedly warned the Sultan against using Albanians in repressing the rising. The Bishops of Durham, Hereford, Worcester, and Gibraltar urge Britain to take action to stop the outrages in the Balkans. The Times expresses the hope that the Western Powers will support any ' Irefjti Austro-Russian scheme to mitigate the evils of Turkish rule. ] Received 1.28 a.m., Sept. 15. j BUDA-PESTH, Sept, 14. , The well - informed newspaper, , Ncues Pester Journal, says whole i shipments of Russian arms and ammunition repeatedly reached the Macedonians, with the object of depriving Austrian influence in Balkan developments. Bulgaria acted as middleman Golschowski became uneasy and asked Count Lamsdorfi .whether he was protecting the despatch of weapons.

(Per R.M.S. Sierra at Auckland.) San Francisco, Aug. 27.

The Bulgarian aud Turkish crisis is aoutti, aud there is every indication of complication. A despatch to the London Times, dated Sofia, August 26th, says “ The repressive measures by the Turks in Macedonia huvo reached the utmost limits of barbarism. It is evident their intention is to accomplish by degrees tho extermination of tho Bulgarian population. In the last low days 12 more Christian villages have been naudod over to fire and the sword. Women, children, and the aged have been massacred indiscriminately. Convoys of prisoners despatched to Monaatir were murdered by their oscorts on the way.” A private lettor from tho foreign residents of Monastir says tho local Turks are disgustod, aud meditate ussusaiijating the Consuls to provoko European intervention. The insurgents aro doubtloss taking a terrible revenge, aud executing the revolutionary progruuimo to the lettor. The reported concentration of largo Turkish forces in Adrianuple district aud at other points on the Bulgarian frontier, is regarded with much apprehension in Sofia. It was well known that in tho case of war invasion would come in that direction. In speoial despatches from tho Eaßt a gloomy view is taken of the crisis in the Balkans. According to a report from Constantinople a rumor current there that war had already been doclarod against Bulgaria proved unfounded, but tho popular feeling is such thut no other issuo is regarded as possible. It is further stated that although the Russian squadron has boon withdrawn it will continue to cruise near the Bosphorus.