Macedonia Documents

Philip of Macedonia - MD Banner

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:14:00 -0700

Philip II of Macedonia - banner

Ancient Macedonian as a Greek dialect

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:17:00 -0700

"Ancient Macedonian as Greek dialect: A critical survey on recent work" by Julián Méndez Dosuna - 2012.

[Julián Méndez Dosuna, Ancient Macedonian as a Greek dialect: A critical survey on recent work, First edition, Ancient Macedonia: Language, History, Culture. Edited by Georgios K. Giannakis (2012), pp. 133-145]

Derveni Krater - Lete (Mygdonia)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 1 Jan 2014 20:58:00 -0800

The Derveni krater is a volute bronze krater, most elaborate metal vessel of the ancient world yet known. Kraters were used for mixing undiluted wine with water, the drink then being ladled out to fellow banqueters at ritual or festive celebrations. Inside, krater from Derveni, contains burnt bones that belonged to a man aged 35-40 and to a younger woman. The man was Thessalian aristocrat Astiouneios from Larissa (quite possibly Alexander's veteran) and the younger woman, probably was his wife. The krater is spectacular, decorated with Hellenic mythological figures and animals. The top part of the krater is decorated with ornamental motifs. On the krater are depicted: Dionysus (God of Wine), Ariadne (Mistress of Labyrinth), Silenus (tutor of Dionysus), thiasos (band of worshipers), five estatic maenads (female worshipers of Dionysus) and armed hunter wearing one sandal, whose identity is disputed (Pentheus of Thebes, Lycurgus of Thrace or Jason the Argonaut). On the handles are depicted masks of Achelous, Heracles, Dionysus and Hades. Animal details on the krater are lions, panthers, griffins, fawn, ram, and deers.

Side A, Side B.

The funerary inscription on the lip of the krater reads:

Ἀστιούνειος Ἀναξαγοραίοι ἐς Λαρίσας

Makedonia (Mygdonia) — Lete: Derveni — ca. 350-300 BC — AD 18 B2 (1963) 195 — SEG 24:571
English translation - "Astiouneios, son of Anaxagoras, from Larisa"

The inscription is written in the Thessalian dialect used in Larissa, Pherai, Krannon, Atrax, and elsewhere in that region of northern Greece.

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia 5

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 16:45:00 -0700

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia; as Presented in European Diplomatic Correspondence (5)

Introduced by Basil C. Gounaris

Edited and Annotated by Angelos A. Chotzidis, Basil C. Gounaris, Anna A. Panayotopoulou

IMMA (Thessaloniki), 1993

21. The reaction of the Patriarchists. The commitees apply economic pressure on the Moslems.

Thessaloniki, April 25th, 1903

[HHStA PA XXXVIII/Konsulat Thessaloniki 1903, vol.407, No.28].

...Ein gewisser Stoiko aus dem Dorfe Kukles hat am 21 l.M. seinen Landsmann Pehlivan Vassili aus dem Grunde ermordet, weil letzterer angeblich vor einiger Zeit der tuerkischen Behoerde Spuren von Banden angezeigt haette. Wahrscheinlich aus dem gleichen Grunde hat Stoiko unmittelbar darauf im Dorfe Ormanlue einen Tuerken, Namens Redschel getoetet; dieses Mal aber musste er die Unthat mit seinem eigenen Leben bezahlen, er wurde von den Tuerken dieses Dorfes ermordet. Stoiko war seinerzeit als eines der fanatischesten Organe des bulgarischen Bischofes von Strumnica, Gerasinos, bekannt, vor zwei Jahren zu lebenslaenglicher Festungshaft verurtheilt und in Folge der juengsten Amnestie freigelassen worden, worauf er sofort die fruehere agitatorische Thaetigkeit aufgenommen hatte.

...Jedenfalls dauert die Thaetigkeit der Comite's auch bezueglich der forcirten Waffen-Ankaeufe, selbst in patriarchistischen Doerfern an und ebenso die Ranconnirung um Summen von 20-100 Ltq. und mehr an Bemittelten aller Confessionen, selbst Muselmaennern, welche sich aus Furcht thatsaechlich insgeheim zu executiren pflegen, weil sie ihr Leben im gegentheiligen Falle nach zahlreichen Vorfaellen fuer verwirkt erachten...

Hickel

22. The committees perpetrate Foreign Ministry on atrocities against Patriarchists. Deliyannis’ memorandum.

Paris, April 14/26th, 1903

[AMAE/NS Turquie-Macedoine, vol.33, f.70r, On the note submitted by Mr.Delyanni on April 28th 1903 on order of the Greek government].

Le Consul General de Grece a Salonique telegraphie a son gouvernement qu' une famille grecque Saramento, composee de quatre membres, dont deux femmes, a ete assassinee la veille... Saint... au village Babiani, par la bande Bulgare Jovani, qui, ensuite, obligea le seul survivant de la famille a apporter au Caimacam une lettre annoncant etre l'auteur des quatre meurtres.

Cette nouvelle venant apres celles que le Gouvernement hellenique a eues dernierement de Serres, Castoria, et Florina sur la situation devenue de jour en jour plus grave par suite des meurtres commis contre les Grecs a produit sur le Gouvernement hellenique la plus penible impression...

23. Participation of the Bulgarian army in the preparations for the uprising.

Thessaloniki, April 30th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, f.420r].

[Band?] of 500 partly in Bulgarian uniform crossed the frontier yesterday surrounded a party of 30 soldiers near Radovishta -detachments from Radovishta and Stroumnitza came up and fighting lasting all day- two lieutenants seven [men?] thirty Bulgars killed the rest being hotly pursued. Perfect [tranquillity?] at Salonica.

Biliottis

24. Bulgaria’s attitude to the expected uprising.

Philippopolis, May 6th, 1903

[AMAE/NS Turquie-Macedoine, vol.33, f.147r].

Les journaux de la Principaute relatant les attentats commis a Salonique par les agitateurs macedoniens sont lus ici parmi les Bulgares avec un interet voisin de l'enthousiasme et j' ai pu constater qu' aucun sentiment de pitie n' a ete manifeste a l'egard des victimes innocentes qui ont succombe dans cette circonstance, il n' y a pas eu de surprise, personne n' ignorait les intentions des comites et leur programme de represailles; au meeting signale dans la depeche que j' avais l'honneur d'adresser a Votre Excellence le 22 Fevrier dernier, un de leurs representants n' avait-il pas dit" rendons nous memes la vie impossible aux etrangers" cette menace ne devait que trop tot se realiser. Les partisans de la cause macedonienne et le nombre en est grand maintenant tant l'idee a fait des progres, se preoccupent peu des lamentables resultats de l'acte commis a Salonique car ils esperent qu' il aura pour effet d'obliger les Puissances a intervenir directement au lieu de recommander des reformes dont ils persistent a proclamer l'inefficacite.

L'abandon si brusque de leur cause par la Russie a provoque une irritation qui n' est pas calmee et dont on semble dans les comites decide a donner la preuve en dirigeant un attentat contre son ambassade a Contantinople.

Quant aux officiers jusqu' a ce jour renfermes dans une silencieuse reserve, ils dissimulent a peine leur mecontentement; ce que la Bulgarie devait de reconnaissance a la Russie pour le sang verse est largement, disent-ils, aujourd' hui compense par les consequences nefastes de sa diplomatie; ils reprochent au cabinet d'avoir suivi les avis de St Petersbourg, d'avoir neglige les preparatifs militaires que necessitaient les circonstances et d'avoir enfin laisse au Gouvernement Turc le temps de concentrer en Macedoine et sur leurs frontieres des forces dont l'importance devient inquietante.

Les consequences de ce mecontentement n' ont pas tarde a se manifester: la surveillance est moins stricte et de nombreux partisans me dit-on s'acheminent vers la Macedoine par le Rhodope. Recemment parait-il le chef d'une bande operant en Macedoine est venu dans un village voisin de Peroustiza avec quelques uns de ses hommes pour demander des vetements. Él a en outre recu 400 francs quelques fusils et des munitions, puis a de nouveau passe en Turquie; on m' a assure que le Comite de Philippopoli etait parvenu a recueillir une nouvelle somme de onze mille francs.

Deux wagons de munitions sont partis de Tatar-Bazardjik pour Sofia, ils seraient destines a Kustendil; ici 18 chariots de munitions ont ete transportes dans un magasin militaire situe pres de la station...

Degrand

25. Atrocities by the committees in E. Macedonia.

Thessaloniki, May 12th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.563r-564v, No.147].

Sir,

Mr. Acting Vice Consul Theodorides reports as follows: May 5. The Greek Community of Serres have petitioned the Government to close the Bulgarian school in that town, because the absence of Bulgarian families makes the existence of a Bulgarian school unnecessary, and because recent events at Salonica prove the complicity of the masters and pupils in the Bulgarian disturbances. The latter have been concentrated by the Serres Authorities in one or two houses in order that they may be closely watched.

On May 4th a Bulgarian school-master of Banitza was arrested near Serres in possession of several Mannlicher cartridges. He was imprisoned and made certain statements which led to the blockading of Banitza and the subsequent conflict (reference to my telegram No. 31 of the 5th instant). The women and children were withdrawn from the village of which a greater part was burned. The band consisted of twenty Bulgarians proper and thirty natives, and was annihilated with the exception of Gheorghi of Vrondou. Among them were the chiefs Deltzeff, (the man who planned Miss Stone's capture) whom the Missionaries describe as the most capable and most honest of the Komitajis, Dimitrioff and Kostanoff.

On the 7th there was an encounter at Goleshiovo (Demir Hissar). The Vali informs me that, while a flying patrol was watching the village, they were taken in the rear by a band of some twenty Bulgarians who were allowed to come up owing to their being dressed in Turkish military uniform. Another detachment, however, coming up, they were put to flight with slight loss on each side.

As a result of the Banitza fight, the village of Vrondou was subjected to a thorough search and about forty of the inhabitants were arrested. The villagers gave up to the authorities all the arms, ammunition, bombs, moneys, subscription lists which they had from the Committee and, declaring that they had been duped by it, begged to be taken back into the Patriarchist fold.

If this is true and if there is a retrograde movement on the part of villagers in the interior, it is one that should be encouraged by all possible means. For Exarchist means Komitaji, and no greater blow could be struck at the revolutionary organization than for the Exarchist Bulgarians to go back to their original sect.

One means of giving this movement a very strong forward impulse would be the settlement of the disputed churches question. In several parts of the interior, to mention only Vissotchan (reference to my Report No. 200 of Nov. 20th) and, I believe Koumanova, Greek churches were taken, more or less without fair reason, from the Orthodox and given to the Exarchists; in others the churches were closed, pending an understanding, and have remained closed; and in others again the Orthodox and Exarchists worship alternately.

If these churches which have been, in part or wholly, taken from the Orthodox for no adequate reason, or which have remained closed, were formally handed back to the Patriarchists, there would in my opinion be a strong reaction, especially among those who have been compelled under threat of death to change their religious appellation, given that an anti-Exarchist movement has really sprung into existence among the peasantry of Macedonia.

Biliottis

To be continued...

Statue of Alexander the Great - Perga

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 19:04:00 -0700

Statue of Alexander III of Macedon, found in ancient city of Perga, present-day Turkey. Roman copy, 2nd century AD. Antalya Archaeological Museum.

Άγαλμα του Αλέξανδρος Γ 'ο Μακεδών, βρέθηκαν στην αρχαία πόλη της Πέργη, σημερινή Τουρκία. Ρωμαϊκό αντίγραφο, 2ος αιώνας μ.Χ. Αττάλεια Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο.

Click on the image to see in full size!

Κάντε κλικ στην εικόνα για μεγέθυνση!

Photo by Leonidas Argyraspid

Bronze trefoil oinochoe - Derveni

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 19:15:00 -0700

Bronze oinochoe or wine-pouring jug, with trefoil-lipped mouth and a handle shaped like the stem of the wild thorn. Under the handle, the jug is decorated with mask of the Hellenic god Pan. Found at Tomb B, Derveni, Central Macedonia, Greece. 4th century BC.

Click on the image to see in full size!

Κάντε κλικ στην εικόνα για μεγέθυνση!

Bronze Lantern - Vergina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 20:34:00 -0700

Bronze lantern found with a clay lamp inside, decorated with two heads of ancient Hellenic god Pan. Found in Royal Tomb II at Aigai (present-day Vergina), Macedonia, Greece. Third quarter of the 4th century BC. Exposed at the Museum of Vergina royal tombs.

Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

Click on the image to enlarge!

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia 4

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:25:00 -0700

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia; as Presented in European Diplomatic Correspondence (4)

Introduced by Basil C. Gounaris

Edited and Annotated by Angelos A. Chotzidis, Basil C. Gounaris, Anna A. Panayotopoulou

IMMA (Thessaloniki), 1993

16. Commitee activity in E. Macedonia. A letter from Kapetan Alexis in Poroia.

Thessaloniki, March 28th, 1903

[AMAE/NS Turquie-Macedoine, vol.32, ff.62^v-63^r, No.11].

...Le 23 un fil de service a ete coupe sur la ligne de Jonction entre les stations de Poroi et d'Hadji-Beylik. On a trouve a cet endroit une lettre en bulgare pleine de menaces et fixee sur un baton et dont j' envoie a titre de curiosite la traduction litterale a Votre Excellence. Cette lettre est signee du brigand Alexis de Poroi,de meme qu' une autre lettre trouvee sur la meme ligne le 15 Janvier dernier (voir rapport du Janvier no 2). Le Valy de Salonique suppose que la signature de la derniere lettre est apocryphe Alexis ayant, d'apres lui, du quitter le pays. On me signale cependant de sources differentes de nouveaux exploits de ce brigand aux environs de Poroi ou il aurait ranconne deux grecs et oblige un bey turc a lui fournir des vivres et des chaussures.

Les grecs se montrent assez emus du recent assassinat du primat grec d'un village du caza de Zihna ou les revolutionnaires bulgares n' avaient jamais penetre jusqu' a present...

L'opinion generale parmi les personnes en etat de suivre le mouvement revolutionnaire c' est que le vilayet de Monastir est la region ou se presenteraient en ce moment les plus grands dangers de soulevement. On signale de divers cotes le retour dans cette province d'un grand nombre d'ouvriers bulgares qui paraissent obeir a un mot d'ordre general soit qu' ils se prerarent a prendre part a une insurrection soit qu' ils veuillent etre aupres de leurs familles pour les defendre en cas de danger...

Steeg

17. Greek reactions in Monastir.

Thessaloniki, April 3rd, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.330^r, No.81].

Sir,

I have been told that the Greeks at Monastir, roused at last to action, have warned the Bulgarians resident in the same town that for every Patriarchist murdered by the bands in the country they will murder two Bulgarians in the town. Whether this news is true or not, the fact is that reports of murders from that Vilayet have been less frequent of late and that the bands appear to be limiting themselves to the more profitable employment of exacting money...

Biliottis

18. Sarafov’s activities in the Morihovo disstrict. Preparations for the uprising.

Monastir, April 17th, 1903

[HHStA PA XXXVIII/Konsulat Monastir 1903,vol.392, No.44, confidential].

Hochgeborener Graf,

Entgegen den Zeitungsnachrichtenk, dass Boris Saraffof42 sich am Wege nach Sofia zu einer Berathung befinde, weilt derselbe seit mehreren Wochen in diesem Vilajete und beabsichtigt nicht, Macedonien sobald zu verlassen.

Er kam ueber Morihovo, hatte in einem Dorfe oestlich der Crna (3 1/2 Stunden von Monastir entfernt) eine Unterredung mit Delegirten des hiesigen Provinzcentralcomite's43 und zog dann ueber Setina-Banica in die Kaza's Florina und Kastoria. Beim Verlassen Bulgariens war er von etwa 55 Officieren der bulgarischen Armee begleitet und fuehrte mehrere Pferdeladungen Dynamit mit sich. Die Officiere vertheilten sich au fur et a mesure; beim Betreten Morihovo's verblieben noch 15, jetzt nur mehr 3 an seiner Seite. Von Setina aus (Dorf s.w. des Kaimakcalan) waren bloss noch 3 Pferdeladungen Dynamit weiterzutransportiren.

Auch eine groessere Partie neuer Mannlichergewehre wurde vor nicht langer Zeit durch Saraffof wieder eingeschmuggelt, doch bewaehrten sich dieselben fuer die Banden wegen des leichten Rostens und der Schwierigkeit der Reparatur nicht. Am geeingnetsten fuer die Insurgenten sei nach wie vor das System "Gras".

Nach Monastir waere Saraffof -entgegen den Behauptungen zahlreicher Leute, auch von Consuln- nicht gekommen. Wahr sei hingegen, dass dies zwei seiner Officiere thaten, welche auch die naechstgelegenen Doerfer (Bukavo, Orehovo, Brusnik etc.) besuchten.

Kral

19. Chakalarof’s activities. Pressure on Patriarchist communities in the Kastoria district.

Monastir, April 20th, 1903

[HHStA PA XXXVIII/Konsulat Monastir 1903, vol.392, No.46].

...Auch die Serben haben in diesem Vilajete keine Ursache mehr, die Unschuldigen zu spielen, weil serbophile Doerfer, namentlich in Porec (Krcevo) die Banden aufnehmen -mag sein, manchmal widerstrebend- und sich bewaffnen. -Als besonders kuehner Fuehrer zeigt sich in juengster Zeit der ehemalige Lehrer Cilio Cekalaroff aus Smrdes, der die recherchirenden Detachements schon mehr als einmal als Frau verkleidet zu taeuschen wusste. Seit 14 Tagen besteht sein Sport in der planmaessigen Vertreibung der griechischen Lehrer, hie und da auch der Priester, aus den, dem Patriarchate anhaengenden slavischen Doerfern der Kaza's Florina und Kastoria, indem er ruft: "Nieder die Griechen, hoch Bulgarien!"...

Kral

20. The commitees’ political asprirations Bosnische Post of 14 April 1903 in Macedonia and the Turkish reprisals.

[AMAE/NS Turquie-Macedoine, vol.33, ff.6r-10^r, "Le mouvement macedonien", traslated extract from the journal Bosnische Post of April 14th, 1903, attached to report No.47 submitted by the French Consul in Serajevo on April 21st, 1903].

L'opinion publique europeenne malgre l'abondance des nouvelles qui de Macedoine inondent la presse depuis des mois, n' a pu se faire une idee exacte de l'essence et de l'etendue du mouvement revolutionnaire parce que, sans parler du tranvestissement des faits qui resulte du manque de critique ou d'un calcul fait a dessein, la longue chaine des symptomes de la rebellion pourait faire croire qu' il s'agit de l'emouvant spectacle d'un soulevement populaire contre la domination ottomane.

Cependant, ainsi qu' on le confirme de Salonique de source autorisee, une telle importance manque absolument a l'action fanatique de l'agitation bulgare. Les representations repandues dans une partie de la presse, surtout en France et en Angleterre qui voudraient faire croire qu' en Macedoine les masses populaires opprimees preparent un combat desespere entourent les entreprises d'une petite fraction de la population d'une aureole que sont loin de meriter les equipees de la propagande revolutionnaire. Cette propagande et les violences des bandes bulgares ne sont pas le debordement d'un courant populaire, mais ce sont, au contraire les chefs de cette agitation qui cherchent a creer un courant populaire dans cette direction. Il ne suffit pas pour decrire la situation dans les provinces macedoniennes de constater que les Serbes et les Grecs, dans toute la region dont il s'agit sont absolument eloignes de la pensee d'extorquer par la rebellion des ameliorations du gouvernement turc: pour etablir la verite complete, il est necessaire de signaler le fait que parmi les Bulgares egalement la partie atteinte par le mouvement revolutionnaire ne forme qu' une petite minorite. Les instigateurs de ces menees deploient les plus grands efforts pour produire un etat de surexcitation et de passion que pourrait conduire a la lutte a outrance et au moyen des violences inouies pour aiguillioner vers des represailles sauvages les troupes destinees a retablir l'ordre, aussi bien que les Musulmans en general, afin que la Macedoine offre le spectacle d'un conflit effrayant entre une population chretienne et "l'opresseur ottoman". Ils n' ont jusqu' ici atteint ce resultat, du moins en ce qui concerne la force armee. C' est au contraire un fait indiscutable que les troupes, a part quelques cas isoles, ne se sont pas en aucun endroit rendues coupables d'exces et que nullepart l'action repressive n' a pris le caractere d'une destruction sans distinction des coupables et des innocents.

Or rien ne peut etre plus mal venu pour les chefs de l'agitation bulgare que la moderation du cote turc, car, pour justifier la revolution aux yeux de l'etranger et pour produire en Europe un torrent d'indignation, ils ont absolument besoin d'atrocites turques. Les regisseurs des Comites se sont en consequence inquietes depuis des mois, de mettre en scene, la representation d'horreurs de ce genre, repandant incessament des nouvelles exagerees ou entierement inventees. Il leur arrive d'ailleurs egalement de temps a autre, de completer ces produits de leur imagination par de sanglantes realites, en amenant par des violences cruelles qu' ils commettent contre les Musulmans des represailles analogues de leur part. C' est ainsi que pour prendre un exemple qui jettera une vive lumiere sur les evenements, sur 30 meurtres commis pendant le mois de Mars dans le vilayet de Monastir en l'espace de 12 jours, plus de la moitie ont des Bulgares pour auteurs tandis que les autres ne sont que des actes de vengeance de la part des Turcs. Le fanatisme du comite et de ses emissaires ne fait d'ailleurs pas seulement des victimes parmi les Musulmans mais aussi parmi les Serbes et les Grecs, et on pourrait dresser une longue liste des crimes odieux exerces par les Bulgares contre leurs" freres chretiens" et qui rapelle les exploits de Boxers.

En outre, les comites exercent un vrai regime de terreur sur leurs compatriotes pour les contraindre a se joindre a la revolution ou du moins a aider a l'execution de leurs desseins.

L'arsenal des moyens de contraindre par lesquels les comites cherchent a produire un boulversement dans la Turquie d'Europe ne se borne pas la. S'ils ne reussissent pas a l'aide des attrocites turques a exciter l'indignation morale de l'Europe a amener par la son intervention dans les troubles de Macedoine, les revolutionnaires bulgares veulent essayer d'attirer la sympathie de l'etranger et de l'amener de cette facon a agir pour un dommage sensible cause a ses interets materiels. Avec une sceleratesse digne d'un complot anarchiste ils forment le dessein de detruire les voies de communication qui servent au trafic de toute l'Europe, et par la d'aneantir d'un grand nombre d'etres humaines qui n' ont rien a faire avec les evenements de Macedoine. Cette conduite criminelle a deja , comme l'on sait, commence a s'exercer contre la ligue d'Orient et selon toute apparence, le Comite ne manquera pas de matieres explosibles, car il est prouve que de l'etranger des quantites considerables de dynamite ont ete introduites en fraude a travers les frontieres turques. Le public europeen ne devrait par aucune espece de representation, se laisser conduire a l'idee fausse qu' il se livre pour le moment en Macedoine une guerre d'independance digne de la sympathie du monde civilise, mais au contraire considera les evenements qui s'y jouent sous leur veritable jour et en consequence les juger, comme les menees criminelles d'une tres petite minorite d'une des nationalites chretiennes. Les comites et leurs partisans ne veulent pas de reformes, ils ne veulent pas que le sort des chretiens en Turquie se presente peu a peu dans des conditions plus favorables, ils ne veulent pas d'une amelioration tranquille et progressive de l'administration turque, telle que l'action de la Porte commancee sur les conseils de l'Autriche et de la Russie, permet de l'attendre, si elle est poursouivie avec perserverance. Ce qu' ils cherchent a l'aide des procedes anarchistes c' est exclusivement la revolution politique, bien que l'effervescence qui forme la condition de ce genre n' existe, sans parler des Serbes, des Grecs et des Kutzovalaques, pas meme parmi les Bulgares.

To be continued...

Macedonian Shield - Vergina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 09:24:00 -0700

Gold-and-ivory Macedonian ceremonial shield with male and female device on the outer side. Probably the male figure is Achilles, and the female an Amazon. Shield is decorated with golden Macedonian eight rays suns, and Meander, also known as Greek key. Found in the Tomb of Philip II of Macedon at Aigai, present-day Vergina, Central Macedonia, Greece. Third quarter of 4th century.

Χρυσελεφάντινη 'τελετουργική' ασπίδα με σύμπλεγμα άνδρα και γυναίκας στο κέντρο της εξωτερικής όψης, από τον τάφο του Φιλίππου στη Βεργίνα, γ' τέταρτο 4ου αι. π.Χ.

Thucydides - Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 20:43:00 -0700

Quote of ancient Hellenic historian and Athenian general Thucydides, about the land of Macedonia and origin of Temenid dynasty:

"The country on the sea coast, now called Macedonia, was first acquired by Alexander, the father of Perdiccas, and his ancestors, originally Temenids from Argos...The whole is now called Macedonia, and at the time of the invasion of Sitalces, Perdiccas, Alexander's son, was the reigning king."

- Thuc. Book II.99.2,6 (The Peloponnesian War)

Gold Earrings - Lete, Mygdonia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 4 Oct 2013 19:45:00 -0700

Earrings have rodax ("Rodakas" - Mycenaean Greek motif) on eight rays sun, two oak acorns, and bullhead motif, associated with the ancient Hellenic cult of Minotaur. Found at Lete, Mygdonia, Central Macedonia. Dating from III century B.C.

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia 3

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 4 Oct 2013 06:03:00 -0700

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia; as Presented in European Diplomatic Correspondence (3)

Introduced by Basil C. Gounaris

Edited and Annotated by Angelos A. Chotzidis, Basil C. Gounaris, Anna A. Panayotopoulou

IMMA (Thessaloniki), 1993

11. The committees’ political objects in Macedonia.

Thessaloniki, March 11, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.224^r-224^v, No.54].

...The Committees have doubtless a political object, be it autonomy or annexation, and their leaders may be men of highest motives, but among those affiliated to their bands there are a great number of mere brigands whose only object is perpetrating murders etc. is their own personal gain. But whatever the motives each party has one and the same object in view, to keep the country in disorder and oppose by all means the introduction of any measure which could calm it. Had their object been the amelioration of the condition of the native Christians they would have tried to induce them from the beginning to join the movement and not have murdered and otherwise ill-treated them as they have done. And so deep rooted is the dislike of the non-Bulgarians of the bands, that notwithstanding their desertation of Turkish rule, the latter will not side with them although they suffer much for not doing so.

And -be it noticed- even now that the Committees are attempting to attract Greeks, Serbs and Vlachs to themselves by promises of better things, the improvement they say they are working for is not reform but always the supersession of the Turk.

Biliottis

12. Preparations for the uprising. Economic pressure and atrocities by the committees.

Monastir, March 11th, 1903

[HHStA PA XXXVIII/Konsulat Monastir 1903, vol.392, No.22].

...Die Gelderpressungen vollfuehrt das Comite mit unbeschreiblicher Kuehnheit bei Bulgaren, Griechen, Walachen, bei Christen und Mohammedanern. Den Christen droht im Falle des Nichtzahlens Ermordung, den reichen, gutbewachten und bewaffneten mohammedanischen Gutsbesitzern Brand ihrer Landgueter. Bei Geldeintreibung machen die Comite's unter den Christen schon deswegen keinen Unterschied, weil sie behaupten, ihre Bemuehungen seien auf Verbesserung des Looses saemmtlicher Christen in Macedonien gerichtet. Die Hoehe der zu fordernden Geldsumme wird in Anbetracht der Vermoegensund Einkommensverhaeltnisse des Einzelnen genau erwogen, doch laesst das Comite in beruecksichtigungswuerdigen Faellen mit sich reden. Weniger bemittelten Leuten wird manchmal selbst die Haelfte nachgelassen, vermoegenden nichts. Das Ausmass der Beitragsleistung bewegt sich zwischen 5 und 100 Ltq, selten mehr. Im Kreise Perlepe, wo die Mohammedaner in Minoritaet sind, soll fast ein jeder Aga gezahlt haben, desgleichen die meisten Griechen (resp. Walachen) Monastirs und der walachischen Doerfer wie Gopes, Mollovista, Tirnovo, Krusevo u.s.w.

Sogar eine Anzahl von Haeusern dieser nichtbulgarischen Staedchen ist -meist wohl durch Drohung- den Comite's gewonnen worden, da dieselben in jenen wichtigen und von den Tuerken weniger verdaechtigen Ortschaften ein pied-a-terre benoetigten.

...Die fortgesetzten, noch nie mit solchem Hochdruck wie gegenwaertig ausgefuehrten Erpressungen haben die Beunruhigung unter der nicht bulgarischen, namentlich der griechischen Bevoelkerung auf einen hohen Grad gesteigert, Alles schwebt in Furcht, Niemand wagt Widerstand. Gerade waehrend dieser Schreckenswirtschaft fuehlt ein Jeder doppelt die Schutzlosigkeit, welcher er durch die Unfaehigkeit, Schwaeche und Corruptheit der tuerkischen Regierung ausgesetzt ist. Die Sehnsucht nach Ordnung dieser unertraeglichen Zustaende und einer neuen starken Regierung wird immer brennender, und -wie ich schon oefter zu behaupten die Ehre hatte, man will gar keine Reformen, keine Autonomie oder was immer; die Majoritaet der Macedonier wuenscht sich nichts Anderes als -ich bitte um Verzeihung ob meiner Aufrichtigkeit- das Schicksal von Bosnien.

Die Strafexecutionen fahren fort, ein staendiges Kapitel in der Bandenthaetigkeit zu bilden, und waeren aus den letzten 14 Tagen zu erwaehnen die Rachemorde am griechischen Priester von Zelenic, am Lehrer von Strebeno, einem griechischen Parteigaenger aus Ajtos (saemmtlich im Kaza Florina), am serbischen Priester von Vrbjani und einem albanesischen Grundbesitzer aus Lenista (Kaza Perlepe), welchem der Hals durchschnitten wurde. Insbesondere das Verbrechen von Vrbjani hat Aufsehen erregt, weil schon zwei Jahre lang kein Attentat der Bulgaren gegen Serben zu verzeichnen war, und die Serbophilen sich den Banden nie gegnerisch erwiesen haben. Die Moerder waren -wie der serbische Generalconsul durch persoenliche Nachforschung an Ort und Stelle feststellte- drei, jetzt fluechtige Bewohner des Dorfes (darunter Einer ein langjaehriger Freund des Priesters), die den Mord als eine Art Aufnahmspruefung in das Comite zu vollfuehren gezwungen worden waren.

Kral

13. Assessment of Bulgaria’s attitude to the uprising brewing in Macedonia.

[AMAE/NS Turquie-Macedoine, vol.31, ff.214^v-215^r, "Rapport confidentiel d' un agent secret envoye en Macedoine pour sonder les dispositions de Sarafoff et des comites macedoniens", attached to report No.25, submitted by the French Consul in Vienna, Marquis de Reverseaux, on March 6th, 1903].

...Presque tout l'element intelligent de la Bulgarie professeurs, employes, officiers- est macedonien et que son irritation peut amener a des exces en Bulgarie meme.

Actuellement, l'explosion de ce mecontentement est retenu par l'espoir que, lorsque le premier appel des revolutionnaires se faira entendre en Macedoine, le Prince n'osera pas resister a ce sentiment populaire, et que, au lieu de permettre la rupture, de tous les liens de discipline et du pouvoir d'etat, il preferera ecouter son peuple plutot que les Puissannces, car il ne consentira pas a etre renverse , victime de la desillusion qui s'emparerait de tous les cercles bulgares.

14. Preparations for the uprising. Economic pressure and atrocities by the commitees.

Monastir, March 15th, 1903

[AMAE/NSTurquie-Macedoine, vol.32, f.22, No.56].

...Plusieurs grecs a Monastir meme, ont ete invites par le comite a lui verser de fortes contributions faute de quoi ils savent quel sort leur est reserve (...) Les comites les poussent de toutes leurs forces a la revolte et continuent activement leurs menees qui trouvent un terrain bien prerare. Il ressort des faits cites plus haut qu' ils assassinent impitoyablement les traitres et ceux qui refusent de se laisser ranconner. Les villages valaques de Milovichta, Nejepol, Tirnova-Magarovo et surtout Pissoder qui n'ont jamais ete perquisitionnes ni inquietes par les troupes sont sollicites de s'affilier au comite, beaucoup d'entre eux ont ete contraints de verser de l'argent et une vingtaine de personnes de Tirnova-Magarovo auraient ete gagnees a la cause revolutionnaire...

Gauthier

15. Pressure and blackmail by the armed bands in N.E. Macedonia.

Thessaloniki, March 24th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.269^r-270^r, No.69].

Sir,

Mr. Acting Vice Consul Theodorides reports, that Alexis of Poroia, the notorious Bulgarian chief, carried off two men, one Greek, and the other Vlach from that village, for whom he asks eighty pounds ransom, and cut the telegraph wires between Demir Hissar and Petritch; and that three aides-de-camp to the Sultan arrived at Serres on the 21st instant to institute an enquiry into the Vrondou incidents (See my despatch No. 46 of February 28).

Mr. Vice Consul Gregoriades38 reports that the Committees, greatly encouraged by the amnesty, are showing greater energy than ever in Drama. At Gornitza, a village which has remained completely faithful to the Patriarchate, they murdered the Khodjabashi, Dimitri Martsou, whom they have long threatened for his refusal to recant.

I hear, that amnestied Bulgarians have persuaded some of the seven hundred inhabitants of Gornitza to join the movement and that the murder was committed as an example to the rest; also that the murderers of Balabani, whose son, Mr. Gregoriades reports, is being threatened with death, if he does no desist from his prosecution of his father's assassins, live in the neighbouring village of Skrivotza, which is a hotbed of Committee intrigue.

Three Bulgarians entered the shop of a Bulgarian baker in Salonica some days ago and one of them fired four shots at him and his companion, wounding one of them severely. The baker refuses to give any explanation, but the reason for the crime is said to be the appropriation of one hundred pounds given to him last year or the year before to distribute in such a manner as to cause the release of certain Komitaji prisoners.

The would be assassin, a youth of eighteen or twenty, died in his house the same evening apparently of a fit brought on either by fright or by remorse.

While the police were searching for the other two in some vegetable gardens outside the town they found a man, with a bullet wound, who after repeated examinations, has finally confessed to being one of the Boemitza band (see my despatch No. 55 of the 12th instant), to have been wounded in the encounter and to have "come" here for medical treatment.

Biliottis

To be continued...

Gold Myrtle Wreath - Vergina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 19:07:00 -0700

Gold wreath of myrtle leaves and blossoms, from third quarter of 4th century B.C., also it is known as Meda's Wreath, Thracian princess and fifth wife of Philip II of Macedon. Photo 2, Photo 3.

This myrtle wreath has some 80 leaves and 112 flowers and it was found in the antechamber of the Great Tumulus (Megali Toumba), tomb of Philip II of Macedon, at ancient Aigai. Similar wreaths are found in burials in southern Italy (Magna Graecia), Minor Asia and the North Pontic areas, which indicates about a Pan-Hellenic cult.

Found in Vergina, Central Macedonia, Hellenic Republic. Excavated by Manolis Andronikos in 1977, exposed at Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.

Balkan Peninsula, 1920-23 (1970)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 05:47:00 -0700

Balkan Peninsula 1920-1923 - 1970, British Map.

Source: The New Cambridge Modern History. Vol. XIV: Atlas. Edited by H. C. Darby and H. Fullard.Cambridge: University Press. 1970.

Description: Map of Southern region of the Balkan Peninsula, after WWI.

Conclusion: On the map Macedonia is depicted as a part of Greece. Thessaloniki is depicted as Salonica (Greek toponym) and Thassos with his own Greek name. This is contrary of the claims of some Slavomacedonian historians, that present-day region of Macedonia in Greece, was never depicted with name "Macedonia", after 1912 and before 1988.

Click on the images, to enlarge!

Edward Anson on Ancient Macedonia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:13:00 -0700

"Why Study Ancient Macedonia and What this Companion is About" by Edward M. Anson - 2010.

[Edward M. Anson, A Companion to Ancient Macedonia, First Edition, Why Study Ancient Macedonia and What this Companion is About. Edited by Joseph Roisman and Ian Worthington (2010), pp. 3-20]

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia 2

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 19:51:00 -0700

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia; as Presented in European Diplomatic Correspondence (2)

Introduced by Basil C. Gounaris

Edited and Annotated by Angelos A. Chotzidis, Basil C. Gounaris, Anna A. Panayotopoulou

IMMA (Thessaloniki), 1993

6. Turkish atrocities are being used to stir up sympathy in Europe.

Thessaloniki, February 14th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.140^r-142^r, No.33].

Sir,

In dealing with the alleged Turkish atrocities in Djouma Bala, Melnik and Razlog, I have hitherto abstained from expressing any opinion on them contenting myself with collating the different sources of information at my disposal and remarking on the discrepancies and other details which it would have been impossible for anyone to grasp readily by merely reading the numerous papers on the subject. I consider myself, however, in duty bound to state my own personal view of the matter.

That the publication of the atrocities alleged to have taken place lately in Macedonia is a newspaper campaign with the object of rousing Europe to intervene actively in favour of the Bulgarians, is, I believe, denied by no one, not even by the interested parties and, since the more public opinion is stirred the more chance there is for the agitators' attainment of their ends, no pains are spared in working up comparatively trifling incidents and opportune rumours into really sensational stories while, as I pointed out in a previous despatch, the principle that to make the world believe one fact five must be stated is rigidly adhered to.

In a word the Bulgarians are doing what others have done before and what others will do after them in a struggle for national emancipation and no more reproach attaches to them than to their predecessors. No one can blame them for playing upon the emotions of Europe, especially since their statements will be received with the caution due to the utterances of one of two sides. But the case assumes a different aspect when individuals supposed to be impartial critics, in their desire to render a service to an oppressed race by the publication of sensational articles, pick up all the rumours spread abroad, without regard to the facts which they have neither the means nor the leisure to ascertain and go even beyond those whom they aim at assisting without taking into account the possible fatal effects of their line of action on, if not all the Christian races of this part of Turkey, at least for the greater part of them, Greeks, Vlachs, Servians.

The Macedonian question (as a Jewish banker remarked to me the other day) was raised on behalf of all the Christians inhabiting that country -and ought in fairness to include the Moslems, who have as much to put up with- but has gradually been allowed to assume the complexion of a purely Bulgarian concern in no way affecting the other Christians, who -and this is a fact not taken into consideration in Europe- are at the present moment suffering infinitely more from the action of the Committees than from that of the Turkish authorities, on the population. Putting aside, then the atrocities which are alleged by the Bulgarians and their friends to have been committed it is, I think, a fair conclusion to arrive at, that the excesses which the troops etc. and the Moslem villages committed in spite of the earnest endeavours which their officers and the civil authorities undoubtedly made to restrain them, were perhaps more serious than those which would have occurred under the circumstances in Europe, but that they were by no means as serious as they appear generally to have been supposed to be.

Even admitting this, are the Turks to take their cue from the atrocity mongers and, in order to avoid every semblance of excess to abstain from measures calculated to repress revolution? Evidently not, and I would, therefore, suggest that the military attaches of the foreign powers should accompany the headquarters staff on the frontier with the double object of acting as a restraint on the Turks and of testifying to the truth, next time the latter have to act against the Bulgarians, as may occur very shortly.

Biliottis

7. Preparations for an insurrectional movement. The organisation of IMRO’s local committees.

Thessaloniki, February 21st, 1903

[HHStA PA XXXVIII/Konsulat Thessaloniki 1903, vol.407, No.7, strictly confidential].

...Was die bulgarische Agitation anbelangt, kann ich meine im vorjaehrigen Berichte ausgesprochenen Behauptungen nur vollinhaltlich aufrechthalten, naemlich dass die hierlaendische macedono-bulgarische Dorfbewohnerschaft keineswegs aus eigener Initiative umsturzluestern und von hochfliegenden politischen Idealen beseelt und hingerissen ist, sondern von Connationalen und Stammesbruedern aus dem Fuerstentume herueber nur mit grosser muehevoller Beharrlichkeit und mit Terrorismus schwer genug aufgewiegelt und enrolirt wird. Das soll ja der im Oktober vor. Js. als Fuehrer von Banden vielgenannte "Oberst Jankov" in einem unlaengst in Sophia gehaltenen Vortrage selbst bestaetigt haben.

Die Organisation der Banden-Wirtschaft aber hat allerdings seither nicht unwichtige Fortschritte gemacht, und ist dementsprechend gefaehrlicher, jedoch auch fuer Repressivmassregeln unfassbarer geworden. Aus verschiedenartigen Nachrichten und Anzeichen ist zu entnehmen, dass die frueheren, der Mehrzahl ihrer Theilnehmer nach aus Bulgarien ueber die Grenze gekommenen Banden nicht mehr ebenso geschlossen beisammen blieben, sondern sich in die Ortschaften mehr und mehr vertheilt haben, indem die Mitglieder als Agitatoren und Chefs fuer die in den Ortschaften selbst dem Geheimbund angegliederten Localcomite's, welche nur wenige Mann ausuebender Anhaenger zaehlen (etwa 8-20 und mehr), fungiren. Diese Localcomite's stehen untereinander wahrscheinlich districtweise in Verbindung, halten haeufig naechtliche Zusammenkuenfte und bewaffnete Exercitien ab, und entziehen sich jeder Nachforschung oder Ueberraschung dadurch, dass sie bei Tage ihren gewoehnlichen Beschaeftigungen nachgehen. Ihr Zusammenhalten und die Wahrung des heimlichen Treibens ist lediglich nur das Resultat des systematisch von den wie frueher ambulanten Banden ausgeuebten Terrorismus, deren unbekannte, aber diesseits jedenfalls unter den exarchistischen Bischoefen, Geistlichen, Lehrern u.s.w. zu suchende Mandanten einen regelrechten Polizeiorganismus eingerichtet haben, und mit furchtbarem Ernst die jeweils verhaengten Strafen durchfuehren zu lassen verstehen. Man sagt mir, dass ein Uebermass im Genuss von geistigen Getraenken, welches dem Betreffenden die Zunge loesen koennte, beim ersten Betretungsfalle mit einer Anzahl von Hieben bestraft wird; im Wiederholungsfalle ist der Verwarnte schon dem sicheren Tode geweiht. Ueberhaupt wird jeder Fall von Verrat, sei es durch Anzeige an die Behoerden, oder sonstwie, er moege von wem immer begangen worden sein, unnachsichtlich mit dem Tode geahndet, und diess erklaert einerseits die sich wieder haeufenden Faelle von mysterioesen Morden an Mitbewohnern, andererseits die Hehlerschaft der an dem Geheimbunde Nicht-Betheiligten, wozu sogar nunmehr selbst die im Lande begueterten tuerkischen Bey's und sonstigen Tschiftlykbesitzer gezwungen sein sollen. Der herrschende Zustand erinnert durchaus an die beruechtigte "Maffia", und wie es den Anschein hat, ist dieses System in weit reichender Entwicklung im Innern des Landes, nun auch schon bis nahe an Salonich gediehen. Durchaus zutreffend wendete mir gegenueber der Generalgouverneur wiederholt diesbezueglich das kernige tuerkische Wort an: "guenduez kuelahlue, getsche silahlue", um die Schwierigkeit der Ausforschung zu kennzeichnen, was wegen des Wortspieles in "kuelah" nur unzulaenglich uebersetzt lauten wuerde: "bei Tage mit unauffaelliger Kopfbedeckung, bei Nacht zu unheimlicher That bewaffnet".

Nur ganz kurz moegen an dieser Stelle die am haeufigsten angewendeten Mittel skizzirt sein, mit welchen die ambulanten Banden die Theilnahme der laendlichen Bewohnerschaft erpressen, gleichviel ob sie sich zum Patriarchismus oder Exarchismus bekennt. In die Doerfer kommen mehr oder minder zahlreiche Organe von bereits bestehenden Comite's und lassen, nachdem die Gemueter durch Ueberredung, meist jedoch durch fuerchterliche Drohungen mit Ermordung, Einaescherung u.s.w. fuer das politische Ideal der Befreiung Macedoniens genuegend vorbereitet sind, die Bauern ganz theatralisch die Hand auf ein schwarzes Kreuz und einen Revolver legen und schwoeren, dass sie am naechsten Aufstande Theil nehmen werden. Hie und da wird ihnen sogar gesagt, dass es "dem Comite" gleichgiltig bleibe, ob sie sich auch fernerhin zum Patriarchismus bekennen wollen oder nicht, viel haeufiger jedoch geht damit auch der Zwang Hand in Hand, sich zum Exarchismus zu bekennen. Diese Propaganda ist bereits soweit vorgeschritten, dass die bisherigen Patriarchisten von Gumendsche, Gevgelue, Jenidsche-Vardar bis nach Vodena und Karaferia derart eingeschuechtert sind, dass sie ueber derlei Vorkommnisse selbst den patriarchistischen Bischoefen und dem hiesigen griechischen Generalconsul auf Befragen keine aufrichtige Antwort mehr geben, und sichtlich aus Furcht vor Racheakten wegen Verrat ausweichend angeben, sie haetten sich nicht zu beklagen und seien ganz zufrieden. Trotzdem ist es notorisch, dass sie nur unter moralischem Zwange aussagen, und desshalb befuerchten die eben genannten kirchlichen Funktionaere den successive fortschreitenden Abfall vom Patriarchismus, wodurch die thatsaechlichen Nationalitaetsziffern total entstellt zu werden drohen, da ja heirzulande mit dem Konfessionswechsel stets die Entnationalisirung parallel geht.

Ferner werden sodann den Bauern Contributionen auferlegt; naemlich Mehl u. gesalzenes Fleisch muss in die Gebirge gebracht und dort verborgen werden, da damit beim naechsten Aufstande die Approvisionirung vorbereitet wird; ebenso werden die Bauern gezwungen, dem Comite per Kopf und Monat je einen Piaster Abgabe zu entrichten; diese Contributionen werden durch den oben erwaehnten Polizeiorganismus strenge eingetrieben, und die Bauern muessen sich fuegen, ob Exarchisten oder Patriarchisten, denn jede Auflehnung wird frueher oder spaeter geraecht. So ist es denn begreiflich, dass die Propaganda thatsaechlich fortgeschritten ist, keineswegs aber durch allgemein freiwilliges Anschliessen der hiesigen bulgarischen Bevoelkerung.

...Meine Aufgabe kann es natuerlich nicht sein mich darueber auszusprechen, welches Mass von Verantwortlichkeit die fuerstlich bulgarische Regierung fuer die Fortentwicklung des von der Tagesordnung wahrscheinlich ueberhaupt nicht mehr abzusetzenden Problemes treffen muss. Aber ich halte es fuer meine Pflicht an dieser Stelle die Thaetigkeit und Haltung der "bulgarischen Handelsagenten" in Salonich, Serres und Monastir zu beleuchten. Hier herrscht in allen Kreisen, welche nicht mit den bulgarischen Machinationen sympathisiren, sondern die Lage unparteiischen Blickes zu pruefen im Stande sind, nur die Eine Ueberzeugung, dass die "bulgarischen Handelsagenten" die ruehrigsten Emissaerdienste im Interesse der bulgarischen Comite's bethaetigen, also unter dem Schutze und Deckmantel amtlicher Autoritaet, -denn beim Volke gelten sie als' Consulate- die Angelpunkte des Verkehres der Comite's untereinander und offenbar auch mit der fuerstlich bulgarischen Regierung sind. An ihrer Spitze steht der Agent in Salonich, Herr Schopoff, welcher den gegenwaertigen Agenten in Monastir, Herrn Koluscheff frueher als langjaehrigen "Secretaer" herangebildet hat; der fruehere Agent in Monastir, Herr Stoeff, hatte sich noch nicht als genuegend tuechtig und zu wenig schneidig erwiesen, darum wurde er vor kurzer Zeit hieher, im Austausch mit Koluscheff, als "Secretaer" berufen; in Serres fungirt als "Agent" Herr Jurukow, welcher seit der vorjaehrigen Affaire trotz des anfangs kraeftigen Auftretens der tuerkischen Regierungsorgane in Amt und Wuerde wieder eingesetzt wurde.

Von diesem letzteren ruehrt ein Ausspurch her, (dem serbischen Generalconsul gegenueber vertraulich gemacht, als ihn dieser nach den Verhaeltnissen in Serres befragte), welcher die Situation allerdings frappant zeichnet, und uebersetzt lauten wuerde: "die Tuerken haben den Tag, wir aber die Nacht; den Tuerken lassen wir das Thal, uns bleiben die Berge."

Alle diese "Handelsagenten" betreiben sichtlich rein nur politische Agitation; sie dirigiren und redigiren die Beschwerden, welche dem Vali von bestellten Delegirten, sowie anonym in Abschrift bei den hiesigen ConsularVertretungen am Thor abgegeben werden. Allerdings machen sie, insbesondere Herr Schopoff, dieses Alles mit so grosser Geschicklichkeit, dass es unmoeglich waere, gegen sie behufs formeller Anklage sachliche Nachweise zu erbringen. Aber dass seit ihrem Auftauchen im Jahre 1897-1898, resp. ihrer Zulassung durch die tuerkische Regierung, die hierlaendischen Agitationen in zielbewusste Bahnen gelenkt wurden, ist mir selbst von meinem frueheren russischen Collegen, dem vom Dienste zurueckgetretenen Generalconsul Ilarionow, wiederholt bestaetigt worden. Man geht mit der Annahme sicherlich nicht zu weit, dass ein grosser Theil der falschen und uebertriebenen Informationen, welche in die europaeische Presse uebergehen, auf die Informationen Herrn Schopoff's zurueckzufuehren sein mag.

Die Beleuchtung des Treibens dieser Herren erscheint mir insbesondere desshalb wichtig, weil offenkundig einige der hiesigen fremden Vertreter, namentlich der franzoesische Consul, Herr L. Steeg, sowie unter anderen Franzosen, welche an Journale Correspondenzen vermitteln, der Lehrer Mothu, betreffs ihrer Informationen in eine gewisse Abhaengigkeit vom bulgarischen Vertreter gekommen sind, welche in den hiesigen tuerkischen Kreisen sehr wol bekannt ist, besonders seit Erscheinen der Artikel im "Matin", "Temps", u.s.w. nebst Auszuegen aus dem "Livre jaune", die hier natuerlich beharrlich confiscirt werden. Als Curiosum moege auch Erwaehnung finden, dass die Reformvorschlaege, welche Herr Steeg in einem Berichte aufgezaehlt haben soll, textlich einem Operate des grossbritannischen Generalconsuls, Sir A. Biliotti, entlehnt sind. Biliotti hatte sich ebenfalls erst seit einigen Monaten davon ueberzeugt, dass die Informationen Schopoff's einer ganz energischen Censur beduerfen, seitdem er selbst Delegierte der beschwerdefuehrenden Ortschaften des Kaza's Strumnica u.a., welche ihm von Schopoff zugeschickt worden waren, persoenlich ausgefragt hat, u.z. unter Zuziehung eines Arztes, welcher die angeblichen Wunden als Contusionen und Folgespuren von Pruegeleien nicht mehr erkannt hatte. -Ferner hat man tuerkischer Seits allen Grund, den im vorigen Juli erfolgten Wechsel in der Leitung des russischen Generalconsulates zu bedauern, da der neue Titulaer, A. de Giers, einer bedeutend weniger unparteiischen Haltung sich befleisst, als sein Vorgaenger.

Hickel

8. The committees are inciting local people to revolutionary action.

Thessaloniki, February 24th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.146^r-146^v, No.43].

Sir,

Mr. Acting Vice Consul Theodorides reports that the inhabitants of the large village of Vrondou and of other villages of the Caza of Serres are being threatened and cajoled by Bulgarian bands into leaving their homes for the mountains, and that several families have already left for fear of emergencies and gone South, not North as the bands would wish.

News of a similar nature has reached Mr. Theodorides concerning other parts of the Mutessariflik and he is of opinion that serious events may be expected shortly, especially as the authorities are taking no administrative measures but rely solely on their military forces.

Biliottis

9. An insurrectional movement is predicted for the spring. Appraisal of the armed band’s activities.

Thessaloniki, February 25th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.178^r-180^r, No.44].

Sir,

There is very little doubt, that an insurrectional movement of some sort against the Government will take place this spring in Macedonia and the only question then is how far the movement will spread and what importance will it assume.

As things are now, that is with the bands already existing here and those crossing the frontier against the real wish of Bulgaria, and meeting with a more or less cordial reception from part of the Exarchists in Macedonia it seems hardly likely that the rising can become general.

It is more than doubtful whether the bands will induce any great percentage of the population to take up arms willingly or unwillingly in their favour.

Although, besides the encounters which may be expected to occur along the frontier, where the population has been exasperated by the illtreatment it suffered recently during the Turkish search for arms, and which small parties of armed men may cross in spite of the utmost endeavours on both sides to prevent them, a more determined effort against the Government may be made in some inland centres, such as those of Stroumnitza and Kilkish in this Vilayet and in some Cazas of the Vilayet of Monastir, yet the bands, well-organized and numerous as they are, cannot exert the pressure on the peasantry as a whole necessary to force it to rise with them, for the latter would require some assurance of subsequent protection from retribution on the part of the Government, an assurance which can only come from without. The movement in the other parts of these Vilayets and in that of Uskub will in all probability be limited to individual and spasmodic efforts.

The new tactic which I hear the bands are about to employ with regard to inland districts where flight to the mountains is difficult namely that of scouring the villages and forcing all the able-bodied men, whether Bulgarians, Greeks, Servians or Vlachs, to follow them will add to their numbers, but they will be leading a host of unwilling victims to the slaughter -which will however, have the great advantage of giving the movement the semblance in the eyes of Europe of an uprising of the Christian population against the Government.

One thing is certain: the larger the band, the less mobile and the more easy to exterminate will it be, whereas guerillas would keep the country in unrest and be very difficult to cope with.

The real danger in my humble opinion is that the Committees may organize a series of incidents, murder etc. to take place simultaneously throughout the whole of the three vilayets, not excepting but rather especially in the capitals and larger towns, with a view to showing that the country is a prey to anarchy and with the object of provoking a panic with its usual disastrous results.

I had the opportunity of witnessing panics in Crete and nobody who has not seen one can imagine, how little it takes to raise one, how much to allay it (if allayed it can be) , and what far-reaching consequences it can have.

I thought it my duty to warn the Vali of this possibility in order that he may not be taken unaware, and I have since been confirmed in my expectation by the news given me today, that among a number of plans devised for creating a panic, it is arranged that the Bulgarians of some neighbouring farms shall in case a foreign warship appears in the harbour, rush down shouting wildly that massacres have begun in the interior. This together with the murder of a handful of peasants would produce a very appreciable panic.

I do not wish to prophesy, but I thought it right to let you know the course into which events may drift.

Biliottis

10. The activities of Bulgarian diplomatic officials as agents in Macedonia.

Thessaloniki, March 9th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.215^v-216^r, 217^r-219^r, No.53].

...Mr. Pissurica has, ever since the transfer of the British Vice Consulate from Monastir to Uskub, reported freely and with what I consider commendable impartiality on current events in the Vilayet of Monastir, as he would not have dared to do had he not felt himself completely assured against attacks by his position as a British Dragoman -in which capacity he has acted in reality though not in name as a Vice Consul or Consular Agent.

But the bands have grown so bold owing to the abject terror into which they have succeeded in plunging the populations of Macedonia, that they now actually dare to turn their attention to Consular officials who have in execution of their duty reported facts, damaging to the Committees, as they really were -without favour or prejudicewhich Mr. Pissurica has fear as his reports on misdeeds by Moslems and Bulgarians alike show.

...In my despatch No. 6 Confidential of February 4, 1900, of which I enclose a copy, and No. 18 Confidential of February 24, of which I enclose extracts -to which I would particularly refer Your Excellency- I gave a sketch of the condition, in which Macedonia was at that moment, and of the work done by the so called Commercial Agents of Bulgaria, adding a forecast of what the situation would develop into in this and the neighbouring vilayets, if no means were taken to check the system of terrorism, which had already been inaugurated by the Bulgarian bands and which was causing a state of insecurity of which even the Moslems were complaining.

The Russian Ambassador's scathing criticism of these Commercial Agents, as reported by Your Excellency a year later in your despatch of February 23, 1901, is a strong corroboration of the statements contained in my reports, and I would draw your Excellency's attention to the striking coincidence between what I said in the former concerning the Bulgarian Secretary, Mr. Koloucheff, and the fact that Mr. Pissurica is threatened a month or two after Mr. Koloucheff is appointed Bulgarian agent at Monastir.

I stand by every word I wrote three years ago concerning the complicity of the Bulgarian Commercial Agents in Macedonia in the doings of the Committees -a complicity which if it has altered at all has altered only in the sense of affording yet greater encouragement to the bands, and it therefore lies with Your Excellency to decide whether rendering the Bulgarian Government and its agents responsible for the safety of Mr. Pissurica, and other British officials who may incur the displeasure of the Committees will tend to their greater security. It is quite beyond my power to make any suggestion as to any efficacious means of protecting Mr. Pissurica against the execution of the threat conveyed to him by Daniel Rizoff other than his removal from Macedonia.

In any case since, as I understand, Mr. McGregor has been appointed Vice Consul at Monastir and is about to proceed to his post, I would beg Your Excellency, before he does so, to instruct him as to the protection he should give or cause to be given to Mr. Pissurica. But I have little doubt that any measure directed against an individual Komitaji or a band would only accelerate the carrying out of the threat made against him.

Now that the bands have begun intimidating those who are bold enough to report against them, I fear that Mr. Theodorides, acting (and unpaid) Vice Consul at Serres, who has done his duty with as much energy, impartiality and ability as Mr. Pissurica, may be the next official to attract their attention, or that of the Commercial Agents or of whoever may be their directing genious. And my anxiety is based on the fact that, ever since the lowering of the Bulgarian flag etc. at Serres, Mr. Theodorides has been an object of special aversion to Mr. Schopoff, who (as I reported in my despatch No. 130 of August 2, 1902), bears him a grudge founded on idle gossip and street scandal. Mr. Schopoff has of late been indulging again in bitter and intemperate remarks against Mr. Theodorides for statements published lately in the Blue Book.

Nor in my opinion will Mr. Theodorides be the last of native Consular Servants to be threatened, unless some very energetic steps are taken not only to protect Mr. Pissurica, but also to stop Bulgarian Commercial Agents from criticizing them in a manner likely (this not intended) to provoke the hostility of the Committees against them.

I cannot abstain, before ending this despatch, from pointing out how exactly events have turned out as I anticipated in my despatches of February 6 and 24, 1900 how the bands have since then rendered life in the three Vilayets impossible to the inhabitants and how they are beginning now to attempt to make it so for Consuls, who do not abstain from reporting Bulgarian intrigues etc. as they see them to be.

Biliottis

To be continued...

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia 1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 06:14:00 -0700

The Events of 1903 in Macedonia; as Presented in European Diplomatic Correspondence (1)

Introduced by Basil C. Gounaris

Edited and Annotated by Angelos A. Chotzidis, Basil C. Gounaris, Anna A. Panayotopoulou

IMMA (Thessaloniki), 1993

1. The Exarchate’s attitude to the planned uprising

Peran, January 8th, 1903

[AMAE/NS Turquie-Macedoine, vol.30, ff.23r-25r, No.4].

Monsieur le Ministre,

Dans une depeche adressee le 2 Janvier a Votre Excellence et dont il a communique le duplicata a l'Ambassade notre Consul a Salonique dit que, d'apres ses renseignements, les comites macedoniens auraient resolu de tenter au mois de Mars prochain le soulevement general du pays. Monsieur Steeg, prevoit que, meme si les comitadjis echouaient dans ce plan d'ensemble les troubles locaux , qu' ils reussiraient a causer, compteraient beaucoup plus d'adherents que ceux de l'an dernier et seraient incomparablement plus graves.

Les quelques indices que l'Ambassade a pu recueillir, concordent avec ces previsions de Mr.Steeg. Je puis notamment signaler a Votre Excellence le langage que m'a tenu l'Exarque bulgare quand il est venu me faire visite a l'occasion du jour de l'an. Deja le 4 Novembre, dans ma depeche No.195, j'avais pu indiquer qu'un certain revirement s'etait produit dans les idees de Mr. Joseph; cette foisci, j'ai constate que l'evolution etait complete; aussi bien, lui meme, a pris soin de me le dire... "Jusqu'a maintenant j'avais invariablement soutenu que le seul moyen raisonable et pratique pour aider a la realisation des aspirations bulgares etait la formation de la jeunesse et la propagation de nos sentiments par l'ecole et j'avais toujours condamne, comme insensees, toutes les moindres velleites d'insurrection. Aujourd' hui, je crois que le moment de l'action est venu et que la prudence doit faire place a l'hardiesse. Et l'exarque me laissa assez clairement entendre qu'il appelait de tous ses voeux l'insurrection.

Bien entendu, en public Mr. Joseph tient un tout autre langage et il recommande le calme et la soumission au sultan. J'ai [dans ma depeche no 215 du 29 Novembre] fait incidement allusion a une evengelique qu'il venait d'adresser dans ce sens a son clerge. Mais il est certain maintenant que le mot d'ordre donne en cachette par ce prelat est tout different. Or, en pays d'Orient une inspiration politique venant du chef d'une eglise a sur tous ses coreligionnaires une influence determinante. Si donc d'ici au printemps pour un motif quelconque qui n' existe pas aujourd' hui, une direction opposee ne leur a pas ete donnee par Mr. Joseph, il faut s'attendre a voir tous les tenants de l'Exarchat en Macedoine se lancer unanimement dans l'insurrection.

Constans

2. Preparations for the uprising. The role of the Bulgarian commercial agent in Monastir.

Monastir, January 10th, 1903

[HHStA PA XXXVIII/Konsulat Monastir 1903, vol.392, No.1].

Hochgeborener Graf

Am 5. l. Mts. ist in der Leitung der hiesigen, bulgarischen Handels-Agentie ein Wechsel eingetreten.

Der bisherige Agent, Herr P. Mikhailoff, welcher in dieser Eigenschaft seit 2. November 1898 thaetig war, ist abberufen und in den Ruhestand versetzt worden.

Mit seiner Nachfolge -vorderhand als Gerent der Agentie- wurde der fruehere Secretaer der bulgarischen Handels-Vertretung in Salonich, Dr. H. Koluscheff betraut.

Ueber diesen aeusserst schlauen Mann, der unter dem Deckmantel der Humanitaet und politischen Gleichgueltigkeit wohl auch hier die bulgarische Insurections-Bewegung -wenn nicht leiten- so doch nach Moeglichkeit unterstuetzen duerfte, hatte ich, waehrend meiner Gerenz in Salonich des Oeftern zu berichten die Ehre.

Ich gestatte mir, hier auch eine Beobachtung in Erinnerung zu bringen, die Herr General-Consul Hickel anzustellen und anzuberichten Gelegegenheit hatte.

"So oft Herr Koluscheff im Consular-Bezirke Reisen unternommen hatte, wurden, kurz darauf in den von ihm besuchten Ortschaften politische Morde veruebt."

Dass die Thaetigkeit des neuen "Handels" - Agenten nicht zur Beruhigung der hiesigen bulgarophilen Slaven beitragen wird, darf wohl mit ziemlicher Sicherheit vorausgesagt werden.

Die Ernennung Koluscheff's soll, wie ich aus sicherer Quelle erfahre, auf directen Befehl S. H. des Fuersten von Bulgarien erfolgt sein.

Waehrend des verflossenen Herbstes hat Fuerst Ferdinand, Koluscheff des Oeftern zu Sich befohlen und ihn ausgezeichnet.

Das besondere Wohlgefallen Seiner Hoheit soll unter anderem folgende scherzhafte Bemerkung Koluscheffs hervorgerufen haben:

"Der Sultan moege Ferdinand Bey, den Vali von Bulgarien, rasch auch zum Vali von Macedonien bestellen -dann werde daselbst sofort Frieden herrschen."

Stepski

3. Patriarchists are intimidated by the committees (central Macedonia). Preparations for the uprising.

Thessaloniki, January 26th, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.76^r-80^v, No.20].

Sir,

Two years ago some Greco-Vlachs, i.e. Wallachians who are educated exclusively in Greek schools and embued with Greek ideas, who in some parts speak nothing but Greek, and form, in the Vilayet of Monastir the bulk of the Macedonian Greek population, requested the permission of the Patriarchate to use the Roumanian language in their churches. The Patriarchate refused but the Exarchate acceded to the request, and this false step on the party of the former caused the first split in the Greco-Vlach party by inducing a number of Greco-Vlachs to throw in their lot with the Exarchate.

These new converts were, as is usually the case, more fervent than the Exarchists themselves and bashed by the Committees' bands resorted to intimidation and murder to coarse their compatriots who had remained faithful to the Patriarchate to join them.

One of the first Greco-Vlach villages affected was Oshin in the Caza of Ghevgheli, at the instigation of the Exarchist inhabitants of which two of the most influential Patriarchists were murdered in August last by a Bulgarian band under a certain Giovanni or Yovanoff of Ghevgheli. About three months ago, as I mentioned in my report No. 198 of November 9, 1902, he called at Oshin with his band and that of another leader, Arghiri, turned out at the Greek schoolmasters, appointed Roumanians (non-Bulgarian-speaking) and tried to induce the Orthodox priests to turn Exarchists, but failing in this they insisted on their reading the liturgy in Roumanian. On the priests' pleading ignorance of the language Yovanoff gave them six months to learn it.

Since their other chiefs have joined Yovanoff and Arghiri, viz. Pavlo, who died lately, Athanassi, Karadouka, and Apostoli, but the men under them do not exceed forty, a number which may, however, be increased at any time by recruits from among the natives.

These chiefs have continued the system initiated at Oshin, at Koupa, Houma, Longountza, and Loubnitsa, neighbouring villages of Ghevgheli, where also the Patriarchists are in the majority. In the village of Ghera Kortzi, where they form the minority, one of the most influential among them was murdered in broad day light while working in his field by a Bulgarian band some three weeks ago for refusing to recant. Papa Nicola, Orthodox priest of Livadi, another Greco-Vlach village some five hours distance from Goumendje is being threatened with death for remaining Patriarchist and if he is murdered the whole village will join the Exarchate from fear.

Meanwhile the forty men forming these Bulgarian bands live at the expense and in the houses of the Orthodox (or Roum, as they are officially termed, whether Greeks or Vlachs, in contradiction to the Exarchists), and no longer of the Bulgarian peasants, thus shifting the onus of supposed complicity from the latter to the former, as reported in one of my previous despatches.

The villages in the southwestern district of Ghevgheli, Gorpop, Boemitza, Bogdanza, Bores (or Bogros), Stoyakovo, Matchoukovo etc. are only in part Exarchist but the villages of Yenidje Vardar, Kriva, Barovitza, Tchernareka, Petges, Ramna, Petrovo with Cofalia (or Corfali) in Salonica are entirely Orthodox. None of these are, however, being pressed just now by the bands to join the Exarchate nor to dismiss their Greek schoolmasters but they have been warned to hold themselves ready to take up arms when ordered to do so in a few months. In the meantime they are threatened with death if they should denounce the bands, for whose reception they are ordered to have a house and provisions in constant readiness.

All these details some of which I have already had the honour of reporting, e.g. the payment of the taxes to the Committees agents and not to Government, the submittal of cases to the Committees representatives and not to the local tribunals, the rape of Dimitris' daughter at Moouin for her father's refusal to join the bands and (as I did not know at the time) the exaction from him of twenty five pounds, have only lately come to light. The poor wretches, who suffered, being afraid to even visit Salonica for fear of being suspected of having come to denounce their oppressors and only lately have a few dared to come secretly and, explaining their position, enquire what they can do for themselves or what can can be done for them. They trembled lest the bands should discover what would assuredly cost them their lives.

The Vali himself is at a loss how to relieve the Patriarchists. He told me a fortnight ago that he had summoned the Kaimakams of Ghevgheli and Yenidje Vardar and secretly arranged with them to invest all the villages mentioned above on a given day and in case of need to repeat the operation until successful, and also to send out flying columns. But nothing has been done, nor do I anticipate any very brilland result from such a plan even if carried out properly and thoroughly with the strong force required since many of the Komitajis are villagers against whom it would be difficult to prove anything, while the strangers have secured themselves against denunciation by the terrorism which they have established, and would succeed in slipping through the lines.

Want of foresight on the part of the Government has, I fear, allowed matters to go too far for any remedy to be easily discoverable. The late Halil Rifaat Pasha was induced by the dread of an "atrocities outcry", which has after all been raised, to allow the small minority of new-made Exarchists to share the Churches of the Patriarchists, who naturally regarded them as schismatics and to use the Bulgarian Liturgy -or to cause the closure of the Churches for months, thus depriving their original proprietors of the means of fulfilling their religious duties, even on such holidays as Christmas and Easter. The support thus given to the Exarchists was the more regrettable that it encouraged the revolutionary Committees to attain their end by assassinating the priests whom they could not bribe and the notables whom they could not coerce.

I frequently called the successive Valis' attention to this policy as detrimental to the interests of their Government, but in answer they all said that they were acting orders from the Porte which they could not disregard.

The only other band which is known to exist in this Vilayet is that of Alexis of Poroia. The daring which prompted his attempt on the train (as reported in my despatch No. 13 of the 17 inst.) near the station of Poroia proves how far the bands have established themselves or, at least, how inadequate are the means employed by the local authorities hitherto in coping with them.

The sufferings of the Greeks, described above, extend also to those Bulgarians and Vlachs who are Patriarchists and can only be remedied by the extermination of the few now existing bands, which if not destroyed will form the nucleus of larger bands in the spring. Only exceptionally severe and thorough measures can effect this and only the appointment of the most trustworthy officers for the work can prevent an "atrocities outcry".

Biliottis

4. The authorities try to deal with the armed bands in central and N.E. Macedonia.

Thessaloniki, January 31st, 1903

[F.O.195/2156, ff.92^v-97^r].

...The same European, whom I mentioned above, said: "The disturbances began with the murder at Serbinovo of ten taxcollectors etc. from Kroupnik... where (i.e. Serbinovo) a fight ensued, the most serious in Djouma Bala, during which one hundred Bulgarians and fifty Turks were killed. Though the Bulgarians did their best to rouse the Moslems to outrage they failed... The majority of the peasants returning from their flight to Bulgaria, willingly surrender their arms, the others are beaten until they do."(No. 190 of Nov. 19). Not a word about rapes and not only this, but rapes were said to have been committed at the beginning of December by soldiers in the Caza of Stroumnitza were stoutly denied by Bulgarians, who had come purposely to complain of beating and looting on the part of the troops, and in order to supply this unexpected deficiency the ringleaders had to take up the case of a girl who was carried off by a certain Hassan and of a married woman of doubtful character, who was ravished four months ago by a Bey, who subsequently indemnified her.

...Another statement made by all the deponents in Sofia, viz. that they possessed no arms and that they were obliged to buy rifles at very high prices to surrender to the Turks, is not in accordance with the fact that in Djouma Bala and Menslik alone fifteen hundred were collected. A certain number were given up voluntarily, but the great majority of peasants had to be more or less ill-treated before they dared part with their weapons. For, as the Bulgarians from Stroumnitza declared to me (v. No. 225 of Dec. 28), "the peasants are in a terrible dilemma, for if they do not give up their arms they are excessively beaten, and if they give them up without being beaten they are murdered by the Committees." Everybody, of course, both here and in Bulgaria -the local as well as foreign authorities and the public- knows that very large quantities of arms and ammunition supplied by the Committees were and still are in the possession of the Bulgarian peasants.

With reference to the last paragraph but one in Mr. Elliots' despatch No. 195 of the 23^rd ultimo to His Majesty's Secretary of State, Mr. Acting Vice Consul Theodorides reports "Le bruit que les Turcs poussent les habitants de ce district (i.e. Razlog) a emigrer vers le Sud n'a pas de fondement. Au point de l'emigration je dois ajouter que plus de six cent personnes de Razlog munies de passeports reguliers se sont rendues en Bulgarie avant les derniers evenements." This emigration of six hundred natives at that time of year before the Turks began their search for arms proves that they were either warned of, or anticipated, the trouble which the Committees brought on the province. And the following extract from a letter from the best possible source confirms this view: "Razlog is Centralist and kept quiet when the Vurhovists rose in Djoumai district. This angered the Vurhovists and they sent bands over just at the beginning of winter to shed blood and get the Razlog Bulgarians into trouble. The coming of these bands convinced the Turks that Razlog is in the Committees business and they began the search for arms. The district is so remote that the Turks had no thought that what they were doing would reach the outer world and so made no particular effort at self control. My impression of the depositions of the witnesses you examined is that they told the truth as to their personal experiences. But the women may have exaggerated in one or two cases in telling what happened to men. All of them evaded or lied as to who instigated them to come. This arouses the suspicion that their coming here was arranged by the Committee."

Biliottis

5. A former officer in the Bulgarian army is a teacher in Monastir.

Thessaloniki, February 5th, 1903

[F.O. 195/2156, f.131^r, No.28].

...On January 26 a letter was seized on a schoolboy called Adjacoff travelling from Resna to Monastir, addressed to Paraskeff Sfetkoff, a former lieutenant in the Bulgarian army and only just come as schoolmaster to Monastir by L. Groourtzeff, director of the Bulgarian school and head of the Committee at Resna, the contents of which proved Sfetkoff to be the chief of the Committee at Monastir. It made several suggestions with reference to the employment of certain people as committee agents, among them the family of Hololtzeff.

Biliottis

To be continued...

The Philhellene, March-April, 1943

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 20:44:00 -0700

The Philhellene, March-April, 1943, Vol. II, No. 3-4, Page 2

"...In addition to the Fascist and Nazi terrorism, poor Greece has to suffer the inhuman treatment imposed by their Bulgarian accomplices. The "Manchester Guardian" published recently a report on the atrocities committed against the Greek population in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace by the Bulgarian authorities occupying these territories. The Greek inhabitants are expelled from their homes, men and women are shot or put to forced labor, churches and schools are closed. It is hoped that the perpetrators of these crimes will receive their due at the proper time."

Hellas Weekly, June 18, 1943

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:59:00 -0700

Hellas Weekly, June 18, 1943, Page 4

BULGARIAN EFFORT TO STAMP OUT GREEK CULTURE

Although the question of education in Greece under enemy occupation has retreated to the background in the face of the frightful famine, it remains nevertheless one of the manifestations of the nation's life that has been the most cruelly mutilated by the enemy in their endeavour to sap the vigour of the national spirit at its very roots.

Greece has been partitioned into three spheres of influence: the Bulgarian, the Italian, and the German. The conditions of education vary according to the special aim of the Occupying Power.

The Bulgarian occupation of Western Thrace and Eastern Macedonia is the most pernicious. Bulgaria's aim is the denationalisation of these areas either by the expulsion or the extermination of the Greek inhabitants. Schools and teachers have been the objects of more persecution than any other section of the community.

So far as is known all the schools in Eastern Macedonia and Western Thrace have been closed. This state of affairs followed the occasion then all teachers were called to the police station and informed that the occupation authorities had no intention of impeding their work: the teachers would be allowed to continue their functions, but on one condition - that they spoke and taught Bulgarian. As not one of them fulfilled that condition, they were not allowed to teach.

A few days later they were given 24 hours in which to leave the country; as a consequence more than 150,000 children of all ages were deprived of their accustomed schooling, of their teachers, and of the school premises as well.

The school buildings of those provinces were built under a comprehensive educational scheme, and were models of modern architecture. Most, and the best of them, were taken over for war purposes by the Bulgarians.

The Bulgarians are trying to force the population to learn the Bulgarian dialect. Greek is not only barred from schools, but also from conversation in the streets. The Bulgarians hope that by those measures they will force the of nursery school age to learn only Bulgarian and thereby forget their mother tongue, or at least never grow used to its written signs; that they may grow estranged from their elders, and from the circle of ideas, mental pictures and traditions that form the basis of a common culture.

They hope to introduce in this way the Greek community a mental disruption and distortion of feeling.

The Germans have allowed Bulgarian influence to spread further: the Bulgarians are now taking part in the policing of Salonica. In that city the second university of Greece has its seat; there are also some affiliated schools of technical importance - agricultural, veterinary, surgical, and so on.

The flourishing university has been closed and its professors dismissed.

- From "The Schoolmaster."

The Philhellene, January-February, 1944

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 19:11:00 -0700

The Philhellene, Bulletin of the American Friends of Greece (30 Rockefeller Plaza - New York - COlumbus 5-8594), Vol. III. No. 1-2. January - February 1944, page 2.

...

"Greek units fought back during this period wherever and whenever possible. The latest accounts in the "New York Times" report guerrilla activities in Macedonia, eastern and southern Epirus and Thessaly..."

...

"As an illustration, it is reported by the Greek Government on advices received from Greece that seventy-nine villages in the province of Grevena, in western Macedonia, have been totally destroyed. Grevena is the home town of the Executive Secretary of American Friends of Greece and he recalls that there were only about 150 villages and towns in the whole of the province. It appears then that one half of the province has been destroyed."

...

"Another dispatch adds that "in Macedonia and Thrace, Bulgars are reported to be faithful pupils of the Germans and in several instances have shown themselves to be crueler aggressors than the Nazis, if possible." Yet, many continue in this country to deceive themselves with the idea that the Bulgarian people are innocent and that it is only a group of government leaders in Sofia who are subservient to the Nazis."

Looting of Antiquities and Works of Art

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 11:41:00 -0700

GREEK OFFICE OF INFORMATION
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York 20, New York

LOOTING OF ANTIQUITIES AND WORKS OF ART

The Bulgars sacked numerous churches in the regions occupied by them and sent the church furniture and ornaments to Bulgaria. The churches of the areas of Serres, Zichne, Drama, Kavalla, Komotine, Xanthe, Alexandroupolis, suffered most and among them the famous monastery of Rikosifolinisse of the region of Drama, and Stavropigadaki the Monastery of John the Precursor, of the region of Serres.

Indomitable Guerrillas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 18:57:00 -0700

Hellas Weekly

Indomitable Guerrillas

Friday, June 18, 1943

Page 4

Click on the image to see in full size!

Hellas Weekly, June 18, 1943

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 04:56:00 -0700

Hellas Weekly, June 18, 1943, Page 2

The Bulgars

The "Burgarski Phare" reports that Bulgarians are settling in Thrace in almost all the villages, and in some places are already forming a majority. It also states that mistakes are being made, in that "lazy and troublesome people are being sent as settlers."

[Editor's Note. - If their own Press labels these settlers as troublesome, it can be imagined what the Greeks in those areas are suffering at their hands.]

Significantly, it is also reported that the census of Macedonia and Thrace was completed on May 10. It will be interesting to see the figures when they are published.

To make their control of these areas even more effective, the Bulgarian Government has forbidden the sale of real property in Macedonia and Thrace. Property confiscated by the Bulgarian State may only be bought by Bulgarian nationals - on payment of 10 per cent of the price, the balance being spread over a long period.

The Bulgarian Government has also forbidden Moslems to settle on the coast of Thrace and the Aegean Province, according to the "Zaria."

A modern Bulgarian school will be inaugurated in Salonica, wrote the "Zaria" recently.

***

The "Deutsches Nachrichten Bureau" reports from Sofia that the Bulgarian Ministry of Health has declared the provinces of Thrace and Macedonia to be malaria areas, where the laws concerning the combating of the disease have to be strictly carried out.

The Philhellene, September-October, 1944

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 6 Aug 2013 18:46:00 -0700

The Philhellene, September-October, 1944, Vol. III, No. 9-10, Page 6

BULGARIA'S LATE REPENTANCE

"...At the last hour, Bulgaria's new leaders have been trying to play off Russia against the United States and Great Britain. It is hoped that this attempt, too, will fail and that the interests of Greece and Yugoslavia will not be sacrificed to power politics. It is also hoped that one of the conditions of the armistice shall be that Bulgarians installed in Greek Macedonia and Thrace shall vacate the Greek homes immediately and that the homeless and deported Greeks shall be restored at Bulgaria's expense. In other words, the restoration of the status quo ante in the ravaged Greek provinces must be a definite condition of the armistice.

For us really to understand this we bounded. As soon as the new government sued for an armistice, it addressed telegrams to a certain Bulgarian "general" Apostoloff, in the ranks of Marshall Tito, offering congratulations for his struggle "for the liberation of Macedonia" and another telegram to Marshall Tito himself assuring him of the desire of Bulgaria "for brotherly cooperation of the Slavic countries against the common enemy." In other words, the stage is all set for Bulgaria's claim for a free Macedonia, the fraud of which has been exposed in our last issue.

Bulgarian confiscation in Kavala - WW II

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:04:00 -0700

"WWII - Roberts Commission"

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION OFFICE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
610 Fifth Avenue, New York City
Circle 5-8060 January 5th, 1942

Greece

As soon as Western Thrace and Eastern Macedonia were handed over to the Bulgars by the Germans, all merchants and craftsmen were forced to relinquish their shops or workshops to newly arrived Bulgars. At Cavalla, a prosperous tobacco market town, 700 concerns of all kinds were forcibly expropriated and Bulgars brought over from Sofia established themselves in the seized properties. Greeks who left during the war have not been allowed to return and their property, including articles of clothing, has been confiscated.

Macedonia Documents

Source: US National Archive

Discovered by

Marsyas Periandrou.