ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en-gb"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 5.0"> <meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <title>M. MacDermott - Yane Sandansky - 19</title> <style> <!-- p.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; margin-left:0pt; margin-right:0pt; margin-top:0pt} --> </style> </head> <body> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white" align="left"> <b> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="4">FOR FREEDOM AND PERFECTION. </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="4">The Life of Yané Sandansky</font></span></i></b><font size="4"><br> <b>Mercia MacDermott </b></span></font> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black; font-weight: 700"> 19. THE BRIEF  MILLENNIUM </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> And suddenly there was light. . .</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> A great explosion of light shattered the darkness of the Turkish Empire, revealing, cleansing and igniting. Everywhere particles of light penetrated men s souls and lodged there, producing an extraordinary effect of mass lucidity. It was as though an evil spell had been broken, and those who for centuries had resembled beasts, lived like beasts and treated one another like beasts, had now resumed their human shape and reason. Everywhere, Turks and Bulgarians fell into each other s arms, weeping for joy. Everywhere they celebrated together, danced together, drank together, and walked together. Islamic hodjas and Christian priests paraded through the streets, sitting side by side in horse-drawn carriages. Age-old feuds were ended and mortal wrongs forgiven, as the Young Turks demonstratively visited the Armenian cemeteries to kiss the graves of the victims of Muslim massacres, <a href="#1.">[1]</a> and the Armenians, for their part, held memorial services for the souls of the Muslims who had died in the struggle for liberty. <a href="#2.">[2]</a> The censorship and spying ceased; the prisons were emptied, all controls vanished; everyone became an orator and spoke his mind in public to his heart s content. Even the downtrodden Turkish women spontaneously flung back their veils, displaying their beauty to all who cared to gaze upon it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Never in the history of representative government has the proclamation of so meagre a constitution provoked so cataclysmic a response. Few of the Sultan s motley, ill-matched subjects can have had the slightest idea of what the Constitution actually entailed, but their psychological state was such that they mistook a candle for the sun, and greeted the Constitution as the miraculous fulfilment of all their hopes and aspirations, as a panacea for all their ills. Thus, when they talked of the wonder which had come to pass, Christians and Muslims alike gave it the Turkish name of a thing which, within the confines of the Ottoman Empire, had been as rare and fabulous as the mythical phoenix, or the Living Water of the folktales.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> They called it simply  Freedom  <i>Hürriyet.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="1."><font size="2">1. </font></a></b><font size="2"> <i>Daily News, </i>12.VIII.1908. The graves in question were those of Armenians massacred by the Turks in 1895-6.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="2."><font size="2">2. </font></a></b><font size="2"> <i>Daily News, </i>14.VIII.1908. The service was held in the biggest Armenian church in the Pera district of Constantinople on 13.VIII.1908. The congregation was half-Christian and half-Turkish.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">340</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> And truly, during those first fantastic days of the <i>Hürriyet, </i>it seemed as though a phoenix had indeed risen from the ashes, as though Living Water had indeed been sprinkled on the diseased, decaying body of the Turkish Empire. Only in myths and fairy tales has an entire realm been so swiftly and totally transformed, and Bulgarian families christened their new-born daughters Nadezhda (Hope), as Macedonia that  sullen, bloodstained land , <a href="#3.">[3]</a> the Balkan Apple of Discord, the Powder-keg of Europe suddenly assumed her other image: the land of joy and brotherhood which hitherto had existed only in the dreams of those who fought for her freedom. And for Yané, who had long been waiting for just such a turn of events, there began what must have been the most satisfying and creative period of his hard and turbulent life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> The news of the <i>Hürriyet </i>reached him while he was preparing to go to Kovachevitsa, and it was arranged that he would meet the representatives of the Young Turks in the village of Gaitaninovo, in the house of the Mavrodiev family. Gaitaninovo was a purely Bulgarian village, with an excellent school, where, to the rage and despair of the Greek Metropolitan Bishop of Nevrokop, Bulgarian was the sole medium of instruction. Since the soil was poor and unsuitable for agriculture, most of the inhabitants earned their living by working iron and making the <i>gaitan </i>(woollen braid for the decoration of national costumes) from which the village took its name. The Mavrodievs were an energetic, public-spirited family, who had contributed much to the economic and cultural life of the village. It was Hadzhi Kostadin Mavrodiev who had been the prime mover behind the building of a fine church (completed in 1839) and of the school (opened in 1858), the compilation of a set of rules for the conduct of village affairs, the construction of a local aqueduct, and other beneficial innovations. His eldest son, Dimitmr, while completing his education in Sofia, had seen Levsky s body hanging on the gallows and had, there and then, taken a solemn vow to fight for freedom as Levsky had done. He became a teacher, but in 1884 he was denounced to the Turks as a rebel by chauvinistic Greeks, and he was sent to Diarbekir, whence he returned in 1888. Forbidden by the Turkish authorities to teach, he settled in Nevrokop, where he opened various establishments, including an inn, a tavern, a grocer s and a bookshop. He joined the Organization soon after its inception, and once Gotsé Delchev himself slept in his inn. Many of the clients who crowded his shops were, in fact, revolutionaries transacting secret business. In 1897, Dimitmr Mavrodiev was again threatened with arrest, but, warned by friendly Turks, he was able to escape to the Principality, where he settled in Sofia. His wife and family, however, remained in Gaitaninovo, and were on hand to help with the preparations to receive Yané and the Young Turks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="3."><font size="2">3. </font></a></b><font size="2">The phrase is one used by the Correspondent of the <i>Manchester Guardian, </i>12.VIII.1908.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">341</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Curiously enough, the Mavrodievs were related to Boris Sarafov, whose family also had its roots in Gaitaninovo, although he himself was born in the neighbouring village of Libyahovo, where his father, Petmr &nbsp;Sarafov, was then working as a teacher. Hadzhi Kostadin s wife, Yaninka, was Petmr Sarafov s sister, so that Dimitmr Mavrodiev and his siblings were first cousins to the murdered Boris. This in no way seems to have prejudiced them against Yané and Panitsa, who, for their part, seem to have had no hesitation in sleeping under the Mavrodievs roof, less than nine months after Boris s death. On the contrary, the whole family appear to have been firm supporters of the <i> Serchani </i>in the struggle against Supremism in all its forms. According to family sources, <a href="#4.">[4]</a> it was Georgi Mavrodiev, son of Dimitmr s younger brother, Kocho, who, apprised by two <i>chetnitsi </i>of the murder of Petmr Milev in Kovachevitsa, went to Lovcha to inform the Regional Committee, which he knew was in session there. Both Yané and Panitsa, together with their <i>cheti, </i>are said to have accompanied Georgi to Gaitaninovo, in order to mobilize the militia both there and in the surrounding villages for the punitive action against Milev s murderers.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Yané was thus somewhere near Gaitaninovo when the <i>Hürriyet </i>burst upon an astonished world. He and Panitsa returned openly to Gaitaninovo with their men spick and span, and in holiday mood and they went to the Mavrodiev house to await the Young Turk representatives, who were to come from Nevrokop. Thick goats -hair rugs were spread on the wide wooden veranda, so that the <i>chetmtsi </i>could lie down and rest awhile. For the women of the house, however, there could be no sleep: vast quantities of food had to be prepared, the house had to be set in order to receive guests, and, most important of all, a green silk banner had to be embroidered in scarlet thread with the words  Liberty, Equality, Fraternity in the three main languages of Macedonia Bulgarian, Turkish and Greek. This urgent task was entrusted to Dimitmr Mavrodiev s daughter, Stoyanka, <a href="#5.">[5]</a> who sat up all night in order to have it ready in time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> When the Turks, led by a lawyer named Selim Bey, and heralded by the sound of drums and <i>zurli</i>, <a href="#6.">[6]</a> duly arrived in the vicinity of Gaitaninovo, the Bulgarian revolutionaries, led by Yané, and accompanied by the entire village, went out to meet them, while the church bells pealed out a thunderous welcome. The two groups embraced each other like long-lost brothers, and, fusing into one great company, as though the five hundred years of cruelty and hatred had never been, they returned to the village for celebrations which lasted well into the night, as well as for serious dis-</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="4."><font size="2">4. </font></a></b><font size="2">Various members of the Mavrodiev family have recorded their memoirs, and the material was made available to me by Zlatka Georgieva Angelova, granddaughter of Dimitmr Mavrodiev, who lives in the Pavlovo district of Sofia. Most of the information about the family is taken from this material.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="5."><font size="2">5.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Stoyanka was the first woman to become a teacher in Gaitaninovo (1901). She was also active in her support of the <i>cheti, </i>for whom she would prepare food and clean clothes.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="6."><font size="2">6.</font></a></b><font size="2"> A traditional wood-wind instrument, resembling a cone-shaped recorder.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">342</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> cussions on all matters within the competence of those present. Some things, naturally, had to be left for the Young Turk Committee in Salonika to decide. <a href="#7.">[7]</a> The Mavrodiev house was crammed with people of all nationalities, many of whom had travelled from the surrounding villages, and, to feed them all, four oxen and seven calves were slaughtered, and a whole cask of wine was broached. The <i>chetnitsi </i>came to the aid of the overworked women, and, girding themselves with aprons, served food and bread to the numerous guests, including the Turks.  We ate like one great family and felt like brothers, Georgi Mavrodiev s wife, Ivanka, later told her daughter, Elena. <a href="#8.">[8]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> At the end of the meal, when everything had been cleared away, a table, covered with a beautiful red cloth, was placed on the veranda in full view of the assembled multitude. Yané took his place at one end of the table, and Selim Bey at the other, and everyone stood in silent rapture while the Turk read out a document, <a href="#9.">[9]</a> which appeared to grant equal rights to all. It was a very emotional moment. Many were weeping for joy that they were  no longer slaves but equal citizens . <a href="#10.">[10]</a> After the reading, Selim set his signature upon the document on behalf of the Turkish side, and Yané signed for the Bulgarians. The two men then embraced and kissed each other, and everyone else followed suit, and shouted  Hurrah! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Selim Bey, who had known Dimitmr Mavrodiev from the latter s days in Nevrokop, turned to his daughter Stoyanka and told her to be sure to write to her father in Sofia, so that he, too, might rejoice. To Dimitmr s wife, Maria, Selim said:  Rejoice, madam, that your house has for the first time been consecrated with freedom. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Yané and Selim spent the night in the Mavrodiev house, and next day the celebrations continued. One and all went with the banner and with songs and music to the Mechite the village square, where there was a huge sycamore and a fountain, and here they all danced the <i>horo </i>together, hand in hand, or with arms flung across each other s shoulders. Yané led the swaying, swinging line of dancers, and even the Turks joined in. Then, around noon, the great company set out for Nevrokop. Along the way, the whole population of the villages through which they passed came out to watch and many joined the triumphant procession.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> In spite of the mood of exultation, nobody was quite sure of what sort of reception they would receive. It was perfectly possible that they would encounter resistance on the part of reactionary forces opposed to</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="7."><font size="2">7. </font></a></b><font size="2">Dimitmr Arnaudov. Opus cit., p. 23. Arnaudov mentions that the Turkish representatives also included Dr Ahmet Bey and Dzhalyal Efendi.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="8."><font size="2">8.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Elena Mavrodieva-Bikova, who lives in the Krasno Selo district of Sofia, recorded the memoirs of her mother, Ivanka Mavrodieva, wife of Georgi Mavrodiev, and made them available to the author.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="9."><font size="2">9.</font></a></b><font size="2"> It is not clear from the memoirs exactly what the document was. All those present, however, regarded it as symbolizing the </font> <i><font size="2">Hürriyet.</font></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="10."><font size="2">10.</font></a></b><font size="2"> From the memoirs of Ivanka Mavrodieva.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">343</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> the Young Turk Movement. Apart from its timing no one had imagined that it would happen so soon the <i>Hürriyet </i>had come as no surprise to the Organization, since its members had previously had several secret meetings with progressive Turks, <a href="#11.">[11]</a> but, even so, the Bulgarians were fully prepared for blood to flow in the streets of Nevrokop. <a href="#12.">[12]</a> It was, after all, a revolution, and the old order was unlikely to relinquish power without a struggle.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> In fact, to everyone s surprise, events in Nevrokop repeated the pattern set in Gaitaninovo. Nothing happened to darken the brilliant dawn of Freedom: not a hostile shot was fired, not a drop of blood was spilt. When the Young Turks and their Bulgarian allies reached a point not far from Nevrokop, they found that the whole population, including the <i>Kaimakam, </i>the local army officers and the police, as well as the ordinary Bulgarians and Turks, had come out to meet them. As one eye-witness put it,  only the dogs had remained in Nevrokop . <a href="#13.">[13]</a> When the waiting townsfolk caught sight of the revolutionaries Yané and Panitsa riding with Selim Bey and the other Turks, the <i>chetnitsi </i>dressed in their neat uniforms, carrying Manlicher rifles, and singing as they came excitement rose to fever pitch, and the air rang with cheers and shouts of  Justice, equality! Long live the Fatherland! Long live equality! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> As the two processions came face to face and merged into one, Yané and the <i> Kaimakam </i>embraced, sealing the great reconciliation with kisses, while the multinational crowd roared its approval:  Long live Freedom! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> At this unique moment, it was Yané who was the centre of attention: Yané the terrible  Sandan-Pasha , who for nine years had ridden roughshod over the Sultan s laws and made fools of the Sultan s soldiers and police; Yané the people s  Tsar of Pirin , the youthful  Old Man , who for nine years had been the protector and mentor of the Bulgarian <i>raya, </i>the faithful guardian of the sacred fire of freedom, which now blazed throughout the land.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> And the waiting crowds were not disappointed by what they saw. There are heroes who lack heroic proportions, and there are great men who look surprisingly  ordinary , but Yané was not one of these. Above average in height and of corresponding build, with his fine black beard and his veritable eagle s eyes, whose penetrating glance put everyone in his place, Yané was always an impressive figure, even when he was not armed and in uniform. He had about him the easy grace and the air of relaxed self-confidence which are often characteristic of men who are</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="11."><font size="2">11.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Dimitmr Arnaudov. Opus cit., p. 23. See also <i>Pirinsko Delo, </i> 23.IV.1953, article by Dime Yankov. Reshid Pasha, Mutasarrif of the Series Sanjak before the <i>Hürriyet, </i>and later Vali of Adrianople, told Yankov that before the <i>Hürriyet </i>he had met Yané several times.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="12."><font size="2">12.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Dimitmr Arnaudov. Opus cit., p. 21.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="13."><font size="2">13.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Oral memoirs of Atanas Penkov Ivanov, born in Obidim, 1891, recorded by Ana Raikova in Gotsé Delchev (Nevrokop), 6.VII.1975.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">344</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> big and strong and who therefore feel no need to assert themselves unnecessarily. No one looking at him could doubt that this was indeed Sandan-Pasha, Tsar of Pirin.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> And it was he and his <i>chetnitsi </i>who stole the show as they entered Nevrokop, singing the well-known Bulgarian Socialist <i>Song of Labour, </i> every verse of which ends with the words  Long live, long live Labour!  . <a href="#14.">[14]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> When they reached the <i>Konak, </i>the seat of Turkish local government, Yané went onto the balcony and spoke to the crowds which packed the square below. According to eye-witnesses, he made a major speech, speaking for about an hour, <a href="#15.">[15]</a> in the course of which he discussed the past, present and future struggles of the Organization, <a href="#16.">[16]</a> and spoke with unconcealed emotion of the ending of the five centuries of tyranny exercised by  the Sultan and his blood-thirsty minions , and of the people s newly-found happiness under the banner of freedom, equality and brotherhood. He concluded thus:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Today, all of us Turks, Bulgarians, Greeks, Albanians, Jews and others  we have all sworn that we will work for our dear Fatherland and will be inseparable, and we will all sacrifice ourselves for it, and, if necessary, we will even shed our blood. Enlightenment is the surest guarantee of the wellbeing of a country; therefore, open schools! And enlighten yourselves! And we will demand from the Sultan that which is necessary for the amelioration of the state of the population, and, if he gives us no satisfaction, we will demand it with force, and will shout with one voice:  Down with the Sultan! Down with the Sultan! Down with the Sultan! <a href="#17.">[17]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Yané then snatched the cap from his balding head, and said:  I swear before you all that I will not cease to fight until we have buried the criminal power of the sultans. My hand shall not rest until we have forced the sultans and the tsars to plough the soil. <a href="#18.">[18]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Yané s speech, and especially his vow, made a deep impression on his listeners, who warmly applauded his words. Then, arm in arm with the <i>Kaimakam, </i>Yané went to the school, where a banquet was given in his honour, attended by the leading citizens of Nevrokop, both Turks and Bulgarians. Here, toasts were drunk to brotherly relations between all</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="14."><font size="2">14.</font></a></b><font size="2"> The words were written by Dimitmr Blagoev s comrade-in-arms Georgi Kirkov, and were published for the first time in the <i>Red People s Calendar </i>of 1898. The music to which it is usually sung was composed in 1900 by Georgi Goranov, a Socialist from Kyustendil, where it was first sung.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="15."><font size="2">15.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Memoirs of Atanas Penkov Ivanov.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="16."><font size="2">16.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Dimitmr Arnaudov, Opus cit., p. 23.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="17."><font size="2">17.</font></a></b><font size="2"> This part of Yané s speech is quoted from a hand-written leaflet, bearing the seal of the Razlog Committee for Union and Progress, and a price, i.e. the leaflet was one of many copies made for sale. The leaflet was found among the papers of Lazar Kolchagov of Bansko, and was published by Ivan Diviziev in <i> Istoricheski Pregled, </i>1964, Book 4 </font> <i><font size="2">(Nov Dokument za Yané Sandansky).</font></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="18."><font size="2">18.</font></a></b><font size="2"> References to Yané s vow can be found in several eye-witness accounts including the memoirs of Atanas Penkov Ivanov, and Dimitmr Arnaudov, Opus cit., p. 21. The version here is from Filyanov, Opus cit., p. 23.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">345</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> citizens, regardless of race and religion. Those who were not invited for lack of space stood outside, crowding round the windows, trying to hear what was being said.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> On the following day, accompanied by the <i>Kaimakam </i>of Nevrokop, Yané, Panitsa and their men set out for Drama, where they were to take the train for Salonika. On the way, they spent one night in the village of Prosechen and went on to Kalopot, where a mass open-air feast was held, and singing and dancing continued through the night. Next day, the whole population of Kalopot, including the children, accompanied Yané to Karlmkovo, where the population, which was half Bulgarian and half Turkish, came out to meet them with bagpipes and <i>daireta </i>(a kind of tambourine). Again, everyone sat down to a mass picnic, with hot food served from huge cauldrons. Turks and Bulgarians embraced, and the whole day was spent in dancing and general rejoicing. <a href="#19.">[19]</a> Afterwards, hundreds of exultant people went with Yané, Panitsa and the Young Turks all the way to the station at Drama.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> The train bearing the revolutionary leaders to Salonika stopped for a time in Serres, where celebrations had already been in progress for several days. There had been processions with music; the <i>Mutassarif, </i>Reshid Pasha, had addressed the crowds, exhorting everyone to be  brothers ; the Greek Bishop and the Chairman of the Bulgarian community had publicly embraced and kissed in order to assure the crowds that, in the new situation, the hatred between Greeks and Bulgarians was already a thing of the past; the reading of the telegram announcing the restoration of the Constitution had been followed by a twenty-one gun salute and more processions with music; all the prisoners in the Serres gaol both political and criminal had been released; the Turkish officers had paid courtesy calls to the Bulgarian and Greek consulates, to the Greek Bishop and to the Chairman of the Bulgarian community, and a great banquet for all notables, including the representatives of foreign missions, had been</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="19."><font size="2">19.</font></a></b><font size="2"> See Memoirs of Fidana Petrova, daughter of Petko Dimkov of Kalopot, kept in the Reading Room Club in the town of Gotsé Delchev (Nevrokop) archive number D 2.A19.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">The fraternization in Karlmkovo had interesting pre-history. In 1906 Panitsa s <i>cheta, </i>hard pressed by Turkish troops, came upon some Turkish peasants from Karlmkovo, who were mowing in the Bozdag Mountains. The<i> cheta </i> inspected the mowers revolvers, but gave them back, and explained that the Organization fought only against bad Turks and landowners who exploited everybody. The Turks offered the <i>chetnitsi </i>bread, but although they were very hungry, they declined. Next day the Turkish soldiers who were in pursuit of the<i> cheta </i>arrived on the meadows, took the mowers bread and revolvers, and beat them into the bargain. The lesson was not lost on the Turkish peasants. On their return to Karlmkovo, they went to the local leaders of the Organization, told them about their experiences with Panitsa and the soldiers, and asked if they could join the Organization. See Yurdan Anastasov, <i>Spomen za Yané Sandansky, </i>p. 202.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">346</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> held in the town garden. <a href="#20.">[20]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> With characteristic contempt for luxury and privilege, Yané chose to travel in a second-class compartment, together with Panitsa and the <i>Kaimakam </i>of Nevrokop, while the <i>chetnitsi, </i>some twenty-five in all, were in another second-class carriage. Yané and Panitsa were already in civilian dress, but wore red and white rosettes, red sashes, and inscribed arm-hands. The <i>chetnitsi, </i>however, were still in their summer uniforms and still carried their guns. They, too, had sashes and arm-bands, and waved banners, one of which carried the words  Freedom or Death , and the other  Libery, Equality, Fraternity in Greek, Turkish and Bulgarian.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> The party was met at Series Station by the officers of the local garrison, the <i>Mutasarrif</i> <a href="#21.">[21]</a> with his whole staff, and many other Turks. As the train arrived, Yané leaned out of the window and shouted:  Dear brothers! The unification of the peoples is death to the tsars! Down with tyranny! Long live Freedom! The crowds responded with shouts of  Long live the people! Long alive Freedom! Panitsa, too, addressed the crowds, and then both of them briefly left the train to embrace the <i>Mutasarrif </i>and the more prominent members of the reception committee. The Bulgarian revolutionaries were offered cigarettes and glasses of sherbet before they continued their journey, and, as the train drew out of the station, the <i>chetnitsi </i>began to sing <i>Sharing, </i>Hristo Botev s empassioned song of indestructible, militant brotherhood. <a href="#22.">[22]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> They arrived in Salonika later the same day (July 15, old style) to yet another rapturous welcome. This time the reception committee was headed by the Young Turk leader, Enver Bey himself. A band was playing, and there were many delegations from many national communities, including Bulgarians, Greeks, Turks and Albanians. The <i>Serchani </i>were installed in the Hotel Angelterre, where, prior to the Revolution, the bedrooms had been adorned with notices, in Turkish, Greek and French, which stated:  Political discussions and playing musical instruments are forbidden, also all noisy conversations. <a href="#23.">[23]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="20."><font size="2">20.</font></a></b><font size="2"> See reports of the Bulgarian Commerical Consul in Series. TDIA, f. 332, op. 1, a.e. 25, pp. 11-12 (11.VII.1980); p. 13 (12.VII.1908), pp. 19-20 (15.VII.1980). All dates in Bulgarian consular reports, newspapers, etc., are old style, i.e. 13 days behind the western calendar.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="21."><font size="2">21.</font></a></b><font size="2"> In a report dated 22.VII.1908 to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, the Bulgarian Commercial Consul in Series describes the return of the <i> Mutasarrif s </i>wife to the town. She was welcomed by the officers with a special speech of greeting. The daughter of Dzhevlet Pasha, she, too, was a progressively minded woman, educated in Constantinople, a poetess and writer of short stories, founder of the first Turkish women s society in Salonika, and a campaigner for more modern attitudes. Since the <i>Hürriyet, </i>the Consul notes, Turkish women, dressed in  reformed clothes and almost unveiled, have been going out for walks with their husbands, something that was hitherto unknown. TDIA, f. 334, op. 1, a.e. 303, p. 59.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="22."><font size="2">22.</font></a></b><font size="2"> See report of Bulgarian Commercial Consul in Serres, dated 16.VII.1908, TDIA, f.332, op. 1, a.e. 25.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="23."><font size="2">23.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Frederick Moore, <i>The Balkan Trail, </i>p. 82.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">347</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Soon after their arrival, Enver Bey and Yané went out onto a balcony to address a crowd several thousand strong, which had gathered in front of the hotel. In the course of his speech, Yané denounced tyrants all over the world, and, in particular, the Sultan and his camarilla, whom he castigated for bringing misery and ruin to all who dwelt within the Turkish Empire. Among the worst consequences of the Sultan s misrule, Yané named the national animosities  the revolting mutual self-destruction  deliberately encouraged by the regime on the principle of  Divide and Rule , and interference on the part of the Great Powers, who were exploiting Turkey s difficulties in order to extort concessions for themselves, thus further depressing local trade and industry, and forcing people to emigrate in search of freedom and a livelihood. Speaking of the historic significance of the <i>Hürriyet, </i>Yané referred to July 10 <a href="#24.">[24]</a> as the day on which the people demonstrated that they were capable of ordering their own affairs, without European tutelage, and of working together for the common good, enhancing thereby the prospects for peace in the Balkans. He concluded his speech by saying:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  But we are not stopping here! Here we are only beginning; we have started a common, united struggle, and we will not furl the banner of revolution until we see on what democratic foundations this freedom will be built. For we are convinced that only wide freedom, only the fullest democratization of the institutions of the country can bring prosperity to the people, and, sooner or later, cut the ground from under national strife and propaganda. Wide freedom of the kind which will ensure the cultural and economic advance of the country will make even those Balkan states which broke away earlier return to their former place.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Down with tyranny! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Long live the Fatherland! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Long live the people! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Long live the revolution! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Long live freedom! <a href="#25.">[25]</a></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> In those early, ecstatic days of the <i>Hürriyet, </i>there was nothing strange in Yané s speaking to the jubilant multinational crowds about their common Fatherland. The mood of the people was such that the distant ideal of Balkan unity within a  Great Eastern Federative Republic appeared to have become a more immediate, practical proposition. But even so, its achievement would not be easy, and, in all his speeches, even the most euphoric, Yané stressed the need for further action and constant vigilance. On the following day, July 16 old style, at an open-air rally, Yané again</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="24."><font size="2">24.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Yané dates the revolution, not from the proclamation of the Constitution on July 11/24, but from the victory of the Young Turks in Macedonia, i.e. July 10/23.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="25."><font size="2">25.</font></a></b><font size="2"> <i>Kambana, </i>No. 278, 29.VII.1908.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> &nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">348</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> attacked the Sultan s Government, and declared:  Until we see freedom ensured, we will not lay down our arms. Be united and ready, because anything can happen. <a href="#26.">[26]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> It was not long before Yané and Panitsa were joined by the other leading <i> Serchani. </i>Pavel Deliradev and Dimitmr Ikonomov arrived on July 16/29, and they were followed by Taskata Sersky, Skrizhovsky, Buynov, Chudomir, Stoyu Hadzhiev, Chernopeev, Petmr Kitanov, Krum Chaprashikov, Stoyno Stoynov and Dimo Hadzhidimov. It was not only the <i>Serchani </i>who were gathering in Salonika. Right Wing leaders, such as Petko Penchev and Hristo Matov, also put in an appearance, as did Apostol <i>Voivoda, </i>the  Sun of Enidzhe Vardar ; even the Greek <i>andartes </i>were represented, and all were courteously received by the Young Turks, who acted as hosts in what was then a predominantly Jewish city. <a href="#27.">[27]</a> But, as the <i>Times </i>correspondent noticed:  There is a most marked distinction between the enthusiastic welcome accorded to the Bulgar <i>voivodes </i>and the reception of the Cretan and Athenian bands. The latter have been shipped home with much courtesy, but little regret, and the Young Turks distinguish between those who fought for their own homesteads against the tyranny of the old <i>regime </i>and the political assassins who were imported from abroad. <a href="#28.">[28]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> In Salonika, as in Nevrokop, it was Yané who was the unofficial guest of honour, the man whom everybody wanted to see. The Turks were absolutely fascinated by him this legendary enemy and disturber of the Sultan s peace, who was so whole-heartedly sincere in his support for the <i>Hürriyet. </i>Every day Turkish lawyers, officers, civil servants, and beys crowded the Hotel Angleterre, and quietly waited their turn to meet Yané. <a href="#29.">[29]</a> Even one of the best-kept secrets of the Miss Stone Affair was revealed at a banquet in honour of the <i>Serchani, </i>given by a group of Turkish officers. One of the hosts a colonel explained that he had been in command of the soldiers who had convoyed the ransom money to Bansko, where Yané had apparently refused to accept it, so that the sealed chests had been taken to Drama, where it was discovered that the gold had miraculously turned into lead! Amid general laughter, Yané explained how the substitution had taken place. <a href="#30.">[30]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="26."><font size="2">26.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Ibid., No. 270, 21.VII.1908.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="27."><font size="2">27.</font></a></b><font size="2"> The Jews of Salonika were descendants of those expelled from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella, and they continued to speak a form of mediaeval Spanish. The richer Jews had a virtual monopoly of commerce, shipping, etc., in Salonika, while their poorer brethren acted as boatmen and porters on the quay, and likewise tolerated no competition from other races. See Brailsford, <i> Macedonia its races and their future, </i>p. 83.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="28."><font size="2">28.</font></a></b><font size="2"> <i>The Times, </i>19.VII.1908.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="29."><font size="2">29.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Report of the Bulgarian Commercial Consul in Salonika, TDIA, f. 334, op. 1, a.e. 293, pp. 25 and 43.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <b><a name="30."><font size="2">30.</font></a></b><font size="2"> Deliradev, <i>Yané Sandansky, </i>p. 18.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span><img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> <font size="2">349</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Yané was also much sought after by journalists, and the Turkish newspaper <i> Yeni Asir </i>(New Century) carried material about him almost daily, all of it complimentary. On July 18/31, for example, <i>Yeni Asir </i>described Yané as  a highly educated man, worthy to be elected as a people s representative , and it praised his common-sense, eloquence and modesty. <a href="#31.">[31]</a> A few days later, in an interview given to the same paper, Yané said that he had been expecting action on the part of the Young Turks, but had not believed that it would all happen so soon. He expressed his delight at the recent events, which he hoped would bring happiness and prosperity to the whole Empire. In answering questions dealing with future attitudes and developments, Yané repeatedly stressed the need for the newly-proclaimed freedom and equal rights to be properly and permanently implemented throughout the Empire. If this were done Yané assured his Turkish readers the regime could count on the support, not only of himself, but also of the whole Bulgarian population, and, in addition, many outstanding problems would be solved: outside interference would cease, the other Balkan states would seek Turkey s friendship, and the Macedonian question, together with the warring factions of the Organization, would be eradicated. As was to be expected in an interview given to a Turkish paper by a leading representative of the Bulgarian community, Yané assigned especial importance to the fact that the different nationalities inhabiting the Turkish Empire had found it possible to make friends with each other. Describing this as a source of  colossal strength , he expressed the hope that they would continue to co-operate and maintain their unity in the name of their common freedom and happiness. <a href="#32.">[32]</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Soon after Pavel Deliradev arrived in Salonika, he and other Leftists already in the city suggested that they issue a manifesto addressed to the population as a whole, and that it be signed, not in the name of the Organization, but by Yané himself, as the  most popular person in all circles of the Macedonian population . <a href="#33.">[33]</a> At first, Yané laughingly demurred, saying  you mean like Prince Ferdinand to his dear and beloved people , <a href="#34.">[34]</a> but eventually he was persuaded to issue the following Manifesto in his own name:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype">&nbsp;</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black">  Manifesto to all the Nationalities in the Empire. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> Dear Fellow-citizens of the Fatherland,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Palatino Linotype; color: black"> The long-awaited ray of freedom has dawned. Our tormented Fatherland is reborn. Shameful absolutism is in its death-t