Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, September 26, 1903.
WAR IN THE BALKANS.
Turks Mobilizing More Asiatic Troops.
INSURGENT CAMP SURROUNDED.
Forty Men and 80 Women and Children Killed—Another Defeat of an Insurgent Band—Engagement in Monastir in Which the Turks Lost 100 Killed and Wounded.
Sofia, Sept. 26.—Simultaneously with the issue of the irade appointing the mixed Macedonian commission, the report comes from Constantinople that the porte has ordered the mobilization of two additional divisions of Asiatic troops.
The belief prevails here that the sułtan is acting solely in view of the approaching meeting between the Russian and Austrian emperors and with the hope of convincing them that he is anxious to maintain peace.
A dispatch from Rila says that the insurgents, encouraged by their recent successes, are abandoning a strictly defensive attitude and are preparing to take the offensive. The insurgents are reported to have ample stocks of provisions in their camp in the Perin mountains.
A large Turkish force surrounded an insurgent camp near Prespa and the insurgents had 40 men and 80 women and children killed. The Turkish loss was heavy. Another fight in the same district resulted in the defeat of an insurgent band, 10 of whom were killed.
In an engagement near Kesela, Monastir vilayet, the Turks lost 100 killed and wounded, while the insurgents had 15 killed and 29 wounded.
A telegram from Varna announces that 600 old men, women and children, starving and nearly naked, have arrived there from Burgas, where they were unable to find shelter.
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| Arthur J. Balfour. |
A CONFLICT OF RACES.
Premier Balfour Explains England's Policy In the Balkan Disturbance.
London, Sept. 26.—Premier Balfour, in a lengthy letter to the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Davidson, discusses the Macedonian situation. The letter is a reply to the archbishop's action in drawing attention to the growing uneasiness among churchmen at the apparent apathy of the powers "while unspeakable atrocities are perpetrated in Macedonia."
Mr. Balfour says he is in entire sympathy with the feelings of horror and indignation and fully understands the desire to give expression in public meeting to the sentiment of reprobation which recent events have justified.
Mr. Balfour then proceeds to analyze the situation. He says: "We have not now to deal with a simple case of misgovernment or oppression by Turkish officials, but with a problem complicated by the fact that the Christian population of Macedonia is rent in fragments by differences of race aggravated by differences of religion, and in addition to the ills inflicted by corrupt and incapable administration and by an ill paid and undisciplined soldiery and by a detestable system of taxation, we have to reckon with all the ills which in a population not imbued with western ideas of humanity rival nationalities and sects do not scruple to inflict on one another."
Mr. Balfour adds:
"The instrument whereby the situation may be dealt with is the concern of Europe. But this, even were they all in harmony, is necessarily slow and may easily be ineffective if the problem is complex.
"It was a matter of congratulation when Russia and Austria, acting with the authority of Europe, proposed to press the scheme of reforms which, while lacking in theoretical perfection, came within the circuit of practical politics and would, if more earnestly pressed by the porte and more frankly accepted by the Macedonian population, have spared the world the horrors it has since witnessed.
"Neither of these conditions was fulfilled. The porte, as usual, was dilatory and failed to see that a policy of humanity was a policy of wisdom. The revolutionists have deliberately done their best to drive the Turks to excesses and furnish them with an excuse for deferring the execution of reforms, meeting horrors with horrors and brutality with brutality, for the deliberate purpose of driving the Turkish crimes against the innocent and thus play upon the sympathies of the world.
"Such methods as these are no more morally tolerable than the misgovernment which is their excuse."
Coming to the question of the attitude of Great Britain, Mr. Balfour points out that Russia, Austria and Turkey cannot be indifferent to a territorial redistribution in the peninsula, while Greece, Bulgaria, Servia and Roumania are all interested in the fate of the province, whose Christian population is made up from all the nationalities.
"These external complications are doubled by internal ones, because of religious differences, the Mohammedans fearing Christian rule, while the Exarchists and Christians persecute the Patriarchists. The Greeks, who are Patriarchists, would sooner find protection under the rule of the sultan than be left to fight the matter out with the Bulgarians, who are Exarchists.
"It is with a problem such as this that one has to deal," says Mr. Balfour, "and I cannot but believe that the best hope of dealing with it lies in the continued co-operation of Russia and Austria, strengthened with the support and aided by the advice of the other signatories of the treaty of Berlin."
"Great Britain has not been precluded by the policy outlined from offering suggestions," continues Mr. Balfour, "which has already been done, and she will continue to do so. But it would be folly to forget that there are occasions when two powers are stronger than three."
"These principles," concludes Mr. Balfour, "direct the policy of the British government in the Near East."
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| Sultan Abdul Hamid II. |
ABDUL'S COSTLY SLEEP.
Big Price For Slumber That Is Paid by Turkey's Sultan.
Sleep that costs $900 a night seems pretty expensive, but that is what the sultan of Turkey, who is right in the public eye at the present time, is now paying for the privilege of more or less tranquil repose, writes the Constantinople correspondent of the Washington Post. The money is received by the members of the special military staff which guards Abdul Hamid's bedroom and which consists of two generals, a colonel, a major, a captain and several soldiers. For their nights work each of the two generals gets 50 Turkish pounds, or about $235; the colonel 40, the major 35, the captain 30 and each soldier 1, the entire amount aggregating slightly over $900 in American money. The officers and men get their fee every morning immediately they have been relieved and don't have to wait for it like some pretty big nations to whom Abdul Hamid owes money.
This expensive night guard of the sultan's has been maintained by him only since the recent assassination of the royal couple of Servia. Of course the timorous ruler of Turkey always has been particularly well guarded at night, but the murders at Belgrade scared Abdul Hamid almost out of his wits, and he immediately determined that he would surround his bedchamber with the most vigilant men who could be secured and make it to their interest to protect him. The command of the special night guard is entrusted to eight of the sultan's most faithful generals, two of whom are on duty every night. Owing chiefly to this and other precautions that the ruler has adopted recently it is estimated that the weekly expense of running Yildiz kiosk is over $80,000.
LOST FIFER FOUND.
Belonged to the 157th Regiment—Now Lives in Clinton, N. Y.
To the Editor of The Standard:
Sir—In one of Captain Saxton's letters concerning the One Hundred Fifty-seventh regiment he speaks of a colored fifer who was with our regiment for a time and wonders where he is now. This fifer is Garrett Russell (usually called "Gat") and he resides in Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y. He is a member of N. B. Hinkley Post, No. 22, Dept. N. Y. G. A. R. On Memorial Day and whenever there is occasion to do so "Gat" is always on hand with his fife. He is an honored and respected citizen and has several times held important offices in the Post.
Respectfully, Ira O. Ellenwood, Co. K., One Hundred Fifty-seventh Regiment, New York Volunteers, Clinton, N. Y.
AERONANT INJURED.
Parachute Caught in Wires and Let Prof. Stanley Down too Quick.
Professor J. I. Stanley, the aeronaut who has been doing the slide for life act and making balloon ascension and descent by parachute daily during the street fair, has met with a run of hard luck during his stay in Cortland.
The first time he performed his slide for life he came in contact with live wires which gave him some severe burns and nearly cost him his life. The second time he tried the act he was not stopped quick enough and struck the curb which resulted in his being somewhat shaken up and bruised.
His worst luck came yesterday afternoon, however. He made the balloon ascension from Athletic field at about 6:15 o'clock as usual. There was a slight breeze which carried the balloon slowly northward and it was over Port Watson-st. when he cut loose for the descent. The parachute opened after he had dropped about 50 feet and continued to drift slowly to the north. As he descended Prof. Stanley saw that he was apt to strike the spire of Grace church and began to work his parachute so as to make the landing in Court-st. He worked a little way to the north and landed on two telephone wires strung across the street. As the parachute settled the wires gave way and after falling slowly about a third of the way the parachute failed to give any support and he dropped rapidly, striking the ground on his back. Frank Hilligus, who was passing on his wheel, went to his relief at once. He pulled away the parachute, which had covered him as it came down, and spoke to him, but received no answer. He then saw that the man was unconscious. Mayor Brown and others, who had witnessed the accident, had come up by this time. The injured man soon regained consciousness and was taken to his room in the Brunswick Hotel.
He was made as comfortable as possible at the hotel but, as he complained of pain in his back and had no use of his left leg, Dr. Reese was summoned. He found the patient suffering considerably from shock, and on examination found that the spine seemed to be injured. Just how serious the case was he was unable to tell at the time.
Today Prof. Stanley is resting comfortably, but does not regain the use of his leg, some of the nerves being paralyzed. Dr Reese says that it will be at least two or three week before the patient can recover and it is impossible as yet to tell just how serious and lasting his injuries may be or whether or not he will ever entirely recover.
Prof. Stanley is naturally somewhat disheartened. He says that he has never had such a run of hard luck before and has hardly ever even and the semblance of an accident and never anything as serious as any of these three have been here.
BOARD OF HEALTH
Orders to Clean Up—The Public Dump—Bills Audited.
The regular monthly meeting of the board of health of the city of Cortland was held in the office of the city clerk last evening and was attended by the following members: Mayor C. F. Brown, President W. A. Stockwell, City Physician E. A. Didama, Dr. E. M. Santee, Fred Ryan, H. S. Bliss and Dr. C. D. VerNooy.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brown and the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.
The following bills were audited and ordered paid:
Harvey Baker, $1.40
Dr. E. A. Didama, $75.00
Cortland STANDARD Printing Co., $12.60
Daniel Hurlihe, $21.00
On motion, the property at 77 North Main st., owned by Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, was ordered placed in a sanitary condition.
Dr. Santee and Mr. Bliss were appointed as committee to investigate hiring a man to work at the dump.
On motion, the board adjourned.
BREVITIES.
— Rev. E. W. Huelster of Sparta, Wis., will preach at the Congregational church tomorrow morning and evening.
—The annual Central New York conference of the Methodist Episcopal church will begin at Canandaigua next Wednesday morning. Bishop David A. Goodsell will preside.
—The regular weekly sing will occur this evening at the Y. M. C. A. rooms. All men and women cordially invited. Bring banjos and guitars and song books. Sing begins at 7:30 sharp.
—The Central and Normal second football teams lined up against each other for practice yesterday afternoon. The Central proved the stronger making two touchdowns to a blank for the Normals.
—Rev. W. W. Way of Grace Episcopal church of Cortland and Rev. J. H. Sterling of Calvary Episcopal church of Homer will make an exchange tomorrow at both the morning and afternoon services.
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