It seems to be pretty clear, in spite of an
extraordinary amount of semi-official lying, that the Revolutionary party in Macedonia is in full insurrection. The plan adopted seems to be to attack any isolated detachments of Turkish troops, but to avoid any considerable engagement either by flight to the hills or by retreat over the Bulgarian border. The Powers are therefore pressing the Bulgarian Prince to defend his frontier, and also advising the Porte to flood Macedonia with troops, so that the revolt being at once put down, there can be no excuse for cruelties. Both precautions have been adopted, and it seems probable that, the disparity of force being so great, the insurrection will be speedily quelled. It is, how: ever, to be noted that all inhabitants of the Balkans, knowing Turkish methods, are in sympathy with the insurgents, and that the Macedonians themselves are showing signs of the courage of despair. The Turkish authorities admit that the proportion of the " brigands " who die on the field is unusual, and we should like to know the precise truth of an ugly story about a massacre of the inhabitants of four villages. It may be an invention, but it is in full accordance with Bulgarian and Armenian precedents.
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