THE MACEDONIAN CLOUD

Evening Star, Issue 11776, 5 January 1903, Page 3

THE MACEDONIAN CLOUD

CHRISTIAN GOVERNORS WANTED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, SOFIA, January 5. Bulgaria has notified the Powers of the termination of the 1905 commercial treaties. The Government are preparing a general tariff. LONDON, January 5. The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ states that tho result of Count Lamsdorff's interviews with Count Goluchowski, Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, shows that Russia and Austria are quite agreed in demanding Christian Governors for Salonica and Cassova. ‘The Times’ states that a joint scheme of important Macedonian reforms will shortly be submitted by tho Powers and pressed on the Sultan. A CHRISTIAN RISING FORETOLD. ST. PETERSBURG, January 4. I Received January 5, at 8.41 a.m.) Count Lamsdorff has returned to St. Petersburg The Russian pan-Slavists are irritated at his visit to the Balkan States, and urge the impossibility of settling Macedonia pacifically, They prophesy a general Christian insurrection in the spring, supported It the Bulgarians and Servians. ‘The Times’s’ Vienna correspondent recently wrote:—A representative of the ‘Neue ITeie Presse’ has elicited an interesting statement from M. Stojan Michailowski, president of the Macedonian Committee, who have their seat at Sofia. M. Michailowski has come to Vienna as the first stage of a tour which he intends to make through Europe with the object of enlightening the Continental public cm the state of affairs In Macedonia. He began by observing that the situation is intolerable. Tho demand of tho Committee simply is that, the Macedonian Christians should be placed on an cnunlity with tho Turks. A!! that they ask is that Article 25 of the Berlin Treaty should ba carried into effect. But it is impossible lo obtain that concession from the Sukau. In Europe people believe that the Macedonian movement proceeds from Bulgaria, but as a matter of fact the Government of the principality have nothing whatever to do with it. It. is true its centre lies in Bulgaria, but that is merely due to the large numbers of Macedonian emigrants in tho country. They constitute almost half the population of Sofia, and nearly 250,000 of those emigrants reside on both sides of tho Danube. The bulk of them belong to the educated classes. Tho internecine strife in the Balkans has continued uninterruptedly for 550 years, hut, according to M. Michailowski, never has the situation been more serious than it is at present. The Macedonian insurrection must not be regarded as a general rising of the population, after "the model of the French Revolution. In Macedonia an insurrection manifests itself in the formation of small bands of twenty to twentyfive men. led by voivodes, who wage guerrilla warfare against, the Turks. Many cf these voivodes are excellent strategists, such as General Zoutcbeff and Colonel Nikoloff, Bulgarian officers who retired from J Le army in order to devote themselves to the Macedonian cause. Captains Stojentschoff and Protogeroff, who command a force of about, 500 men, have first-class arms ,nd the best equipments. Many of the bands hold important strategic positions which sre quite, invincible. The strength and steady progress of the insurrection are based on the sympathy of the jKipulace. There sre people in Macedonia who look on with folded arms, others who support the movement materially and morally, and finally there are those who openly join it. The last two categories- are growing in numbers and power from year to year. In Constantinople, according to M. Michailowski, they pursue a policy of silence, and desire to conceal from Europe the existence of the insurrection. But the real opinion of the Turks as to the Macedonian demands is shown in an answer given by a high Turkish dignitary to Colonel Janfc'off, one of the leaders of tbe bands, who recently explained to him tbe requirements of the Macedonian Christians. He said : "We cannot grant you equality. Nou are too intelligent, and in two or three years vou would surpass the Turks themselves.” Yet, added M. Michailowski, that equality is exprCFslv eiiaranteed by the Treaty of Berlin. It ‘is solely a question of humanity. The Christians in Macedonia are persecuted, and their nrv for justice isleft unheard. They seek the realisation of Gladstone's formula—Macedonia fur tbe Macedonians. The European i owlts may take all the precautions they consider necessary, only they should secure for tbe Macedonians their rights as human beings That is all they ask. They do not desire to set Europe in a blaze by opening u " tfa « Macedonian question. They bed that the Powers should unite in orrler to oblige the Porte to keep its word. 8o lonas the present Turkish administration-that systematic anarchy—continues there will be no improvement. M. Michailowski coneluded by saying: “ The voivodes and their bands are preparing for tbe winter campaign. Jn the spring the insnrrection will assume greater activity than ever before. i' n 410 . ] . nt ? reßt , of E “rope that peace should prevail m the Balkans. In Macedonia peace would be restored if Turk-v a t TrS^" Wt thc rr °™ S 0f