Come take a ride in Tito´s time Machine – Part 15 – Macedonians burned to death
Risto Stefov
November 21, 2009
If we "must" believe that Josip Broz Tito (May 7, 1892 - May 4, 1980), the Yugoslav dictator, along with the Communists, "invented" the Macedonians then we must also believe that Tito possessed a "Time Machine" because in this series of articles we will show you that the Macedonians existed way before Tito´s time.
Knowing that I could not speak with TrueMacedonian and worried that Tito might show up earlier than expected, the next morning I boarded the Delorean´s trunk as soon as I arrived at the hiding place. As I sat there in silence it occurred to me that one of these days someone might want to use the trunk and I would be discovered. As I contemplated such a scenario I began to explore the inside of the trunk with the aid of my handy flashlight and lo and behold I discovered a hidden, zippered compartment on the right side on top of the back wheel. As I unzipped the flap I discovered it was not only big enough so that I would fit but it was straight and I would not have to crouch. Why didn´t I do this earlier, I wondered as I got in and began to zip-up the fold. Ah, this is perfect and on top of being comfortable, I was hidden from sight and was getting fresh air from the outside through the special intake grilles. This compartment must have been used for storing operational equipment before the upgrades to the Delorean were made.
Tito and the team arrived at the usual time and as usual Tito barked his next orders and the destination of their first mission. "This morning we are going to Vienna, to October 14, 1903," remarked Tito as he adjusted the time control dials and pushed the activation button.
The next day I went through all the papers but could find nothing on the mission for October 15, 1903. Then it occurred to me to look in the October 14, 1903 newspapers starting with The New York Times. This is what I found;
"MACEDONIANS NEAR THE SEA
London Times – New York Times Special Cablegram.
London, Oct. 14. – The Times´s Vienna correspondent says that according to Politsche Corespondenz the insurgents in Sunjak, Seres are rapidly nearing the southern seacoast at Kavala." (The New York Times, October 14, 1903)
Tito and the boys must have caught the correspondent early in the morning and had him release the news the same day. How is that for fast service even in 1903?
As soon as the team was back, the boys were off again, judging from the evidence, this time to Rome, to September 26, 1915;
"Special Cable to The New York Times
ROME, Sept. 27. – Another great conflagration in the Balkans is unavoidable. Many Balkan exiles living in Italy, especially Greeks, Macedonians and Bulgarians are speeding home via Brindisi and Messina.
Another sign of the gravity of the situation is the fresh severity of the censorship in the Balkan countries practically allowing only the transmission of official news. (The New York Times, September 27, 1915)
No sooner had they left than they were back again so I figured Tito would go for an extra mission. Then I overheard him say, "We are going to Sofia, to November 6th, 1903.
That winter was particularly bad for the Macedonian people given that their Uprising along with their hopes and worldly possessions were just crushed by the Ottomans. I was not looking forward to reading about this mission at all. But then when I did find the article, I was pleasantly surprised. Here is what it said;
"EMPEROR AIDS MACEDONIANS
Francis Joseph Gives 10,000f. for the Refuges in Response to an Appeal by Princes Clementine.
London Times – New York Times Special Cablegram.
LONDON, Nov. 7. – The Sofia correspondent of the Times says Emperor Francis Joseph gives 10,000f. in aid of the Macedonian refugees. The donation was in response to an appeal by Princes Clementine of Belgium (Countess Lonyay, who was the wife of the Crown Prince Rudolf) and was accompanied by an autographed letter. The munificence of the Emperor is much appreciated in Sofia.
The princess, who has been deeply touched by the sufferings of the unfortunate exiles, has addressed letters to several of her august relatives invoking aid and has contributed large sums from her private purse." (The New York Times, November 7, 1903)
The team was back again and I was right, it went for yet another mission. "Sorry to disappoint you boys but we are not going home, we are going for one more mission," announced Tito without specifying where they were going. Knowing that I would be, concerned TrueMacedonian piped up and said, "Where are we going? Aren´t you going to tell us?"
"We are going to Sofia again but this time to January 19, 1908" replied Tito.
The next day I looked through the January 19, 1908 newspapers only to find the dreaded news in the following article;
"OUTRAGE BY GREEKS
Macedonians Driven into Houses and Burned to Death.
SOFIA, Bulgaria, Jan. 19. – News has reached here of a terrible tragedy at the village of Dragosch, near Monastir, a town in Macedonia, several days ago.
While a festival was in progress and the villagers were dancing upon the lawns in the public park, a large band of Greeks suddenly swooped down upon them and after driving them into their houses, set fire to the buildings and burned them to death.
The victims included women and children and numbered, it is said, between twenty-five and forty-five. (The New York Times, January 20, 1908)
Why must Tito make the last mission the worst mission of the day? Everyone was very quiet when they arrived and left for home. It was expected after that mission!
When it was quiet outside I worked my way out of the Delorean´s side compartment, having to work the stuck zipper a couple of times. I was used to popping out of the trunk so I was on my feet in seconds, ready to make my way back to my place when I noticed a crumpled piece of paper on the ground. It must be another message from TrueMacedonian.
Here is what it said;
"Angolida, like the coastal areas of the Peloponnesos in general, has a long history of invasions and immigration due to the economic significance of the area and its location along the eastern Mediterranean trade routes. The three villages of Agia Triada, Manesi and Gerbisi all trace their history back to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. The original name of Agia Triada was Merbeka, probably derived from the surname of the Catholic bishop of Corinth during the Frankish crusader state, Wilhelm von Moerbeke, who established the Deocesan seat there in 1277 (Salapatas 2000). It is mentioned in a census of 1700 as containing thirty families and 157 residents. In 1817 it is listed as having 160 residents. In 1834, Merbeka was incorporated as a town (dimos) with a population of 320 (Skiadas 1993). Gerbesi and Manesi both seem to have been founded in the sixteenth century when the area was under Venetian control. Both names apparently refer to immigrant Albanian soldiers working for the Venetians that also appear as names of villages in what is today as southern Albania (Mauros 1980). Albanian speakers moved into Argolida in several waves in the next centuries, creating differences that are perceived today. Residents of Garbesi are thought to share lineage with the people of Limnes, a village some 20 kilometers away, while the villages of Prosomni and Arachneo are thought to represent a later immigration. Residents of Garbesi often cite this history in explaining inter village differences and conflicts. In the early 1950´s the names of Merbeka and Garbesi were changed to the more ´Greek sounding´ Agia Triada (meaning Holy Trinity) and Midea (from the Mycenaean site), the culmination of a long process of cultural homogenization initiated by the emergence of the modern Greek state in 1821. Manesi, for unexplainable reasons, was allowed to keep its Arvanitiko name." ("Blood and Oranges Immigrant Labour and European Markets in Rural Greece", by Christopher M. Lawrence, page 13)
To be continued.
Other articles by Risto Stefov:
http://www.maknews.com/html/articles.html#stefov
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3446
Many thanks to TrueMacedonian from http://www.maknews.com/forum for his contribution to this article.
You can contact the author at rstefov@hotmail.com
Risto Stefov
November 21, 2009
If we "must" believe that Josip Broz Tito (May 7, 1892 - May 4, 1980), the Yugoslav dictator, along with the Communists, "invented" the Macedonians then we must also believe that Tito possessed a "Time Machine" because in this series of articles we will show you that the Macedonians existed way before Tito´s time.
Knowing that I could not speak with TrueMacedonian and worried that Tito might show up earlier than expected, the next morning I boarded the Delorean´s trunk as soon as I arrived at the hiding place. As I sat there in silence it occurred to me that one of these days someone might want to use the trunk and I would be discovered. As I contemplated such a scenario I began to explore the inside of the trunk with the aid of my handy flashlight and lo and behold I discovered a hidden, zippered compartment on the right side on top of the back wheel. As I unzipped the flap I discovered it was not only big enough so that I would fit but it was straight and I would not have to crouch. Why didn´t I do this earlier, I wondered as I got in and began to zip-up the fold. Ah, this is perfect and on top of being comfortable, I was hidden from sight and was getting fresh air from the outside through the special intake grilles. This compartment must have been used for storing operational equipment before the upgrades to the Delorean were made.
Tito and the team arrived at the usual time and as usual Tito barked his next orders and the destination of their first mission. "This morning we are going to Vienna, to October 14, 1903," remarked Tito as he adjusted the time control dials and pushed the activation button.
The next day I went through all the papers but could find nothing on the mission for October 15, 1903. Then it occurred to me to look in the October 14, 1903 newspapers starting with The New York Times. This is what I found;
"MACEDONIANS NEAR THE SEA
London Times – New York Times Special Cablegram.
London, Oct. 14. – The Times´s Vienna correspondent says that according to Politsche Corespondenz the insurgents in Sunjak, Seres are rapidly nearing the southern seacoast at Kavala." (The New York Times, October 14, 1903)
Tito and the boys must have caught the correspondent early in the morning and had him release the news the same day. How is that for fast service even in 1903?
As soon as the team was back, the boys were off again, judging from the evidence, this time to Rome, to September 26, 1915;
"Special Cable to The New York Times
ROME, Sept. 27. – Another great conflagration in the Balkans is unavoidable. Many Balkan exiles living in Italy, especially Greeks, Macedonians and Bulgarians are speeding home via Brindisi and Messina.
Another sign of the gravity of the situation is the fresh severity of the censorship in the Balkan countries practically allowing only the transmission of official news. (The New York Times, September 27, 1915)
No sooner had they left than they were back again so I figured Tito would go for an extra mission. Then I overheard him say, "We are going to Sofia, to November 6th, 1903.
That winter was particularly bad for the Macedonian people given that their Uprising along with their hopes and worldly possessions were just crushed by the Ottomans. I was not looking forward to reading about this mission at all. But then when I did find the article, I was pleasantly surprised. Here is what it said;
"EMPEROR AIDS MACEDONIANS
Francis Joseph Gives 10,000f. for the Refuges in Response to an Appeal by Princes Clementine.
London Times – New York Times Special Cablegram.
LONDON, Nov. 7. – The Sofia correspondent of the Times says Emperor Francis Joseph gives 10,000f. in aid of the Macedonian refugees. The donation was in response to an appeal by Princes Clementine of Belgium (Countess Lonyay, who was the wife of the Crown Prince Rudolf) and was accompanied by an autographed letter. The munificence of the Emperor is much appreciated in Sofia.
The princess, who has been deeply touched by the sufferings of the unfortunate exiles, has addressed letters to several of her august relatives invoking aid and has contributed large sums from her private purse." (The New York Times, November 7, 1903)
The team was back again and I was right, it went for yet another mission. "Sorry to disappoint you boys but we are not going home, we are going for one more mission," announced Tito without specifying where they were going. Knowing that I would be, concerned TrueMacedonian piped up and said, "Where are we going? Aren´t you going to tell us?"
"We are going to Sofia again but this time to January 19, 1908" replied Tito.
The next day I looked through the January 19, 1908 newspapers only to find the dreaded news in the following article;
"OUTRAGE BY GREEKS
Macedonians Driven into Houses and Burned to Death.
SOFIA, Bulgaria, Jan. 19. – News has reached here of a terrible tragedy at the village of Dragosch, near Monastir, a town in Macedonia, several days ago.
While a festival was in progress and the villagers were dancing upon the lawns in the public park, a large band of Greeks suddenly swooped down upon them and after driving them into their houses, set fire to the buildings and burned them to death.
The victims included women and children and numbered, it is said, between twenty-five and forty-five. (The New York Times, January 20, 1908)
Why must Tito make the last mission the worst mission of the day? Everyone was very quiet when they arrived and left for home. It was expected after that mission!
When it was quiet outside I worked my way out of the Delorean´s side compartment, having to work the stuck zipper a couple of times. I was used to popping out of the trunk so I was on my feet in seconds, ready to make my way back to my place when I noticed a crumpled piece of paper on the ground. It must be another message from TrueMacedonian.
Here is what it said;
"Angolida, like the coastal areas of the Peloponnesos in general, has a long history of invasions and immigration due to the economic significance of the area and its location along the eastern Mediterranean trade routes. The three villages of Agia Triada, Manesi and Gerbisi all trace their history back to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. The original name of Agia Triada was Merbeka, probably derived from the surname of the Catholic bishop of Corinth during the Frankish crusader state, Wilhelm von Moerbeke, who established the Deocesan seat there in 1277 (Salapatas 2000). It is mentioned in a census of 1700 as containing thirty families and 157 residents. In 1817 it is listed as having 160 residents. In 1834, Merbeka was incorporated as a town (dimos) with a population of 320 (Skiadas 1993). Gerbesi and Manesi both seem to have been founded in the sixteenth century when the area was under Venetian control. Both names apparently refer to immigrant Albanian soldiers working for the Venetians that also appear as names of villages in what is today as southern Albania (Mauros 1980). Albanian speakers moved into Argolida in several waves in the next centuries, creating differences that are perceived today. Residents of Garbesi are thought to share lineage with the people of Limnes, a village some 20 kilometers away, while the villages of Prosomni and Arachneo are thought to represent a later immigration. Residents of Garbesi often cite this history in explaining inter village differences and conflicts. In the early 1950´s the names of Merbeka and Garbesi were changed to the more ´Greek sounding´ Agia Triada (meaning Holy Trinity) and Midea (from the Mycenaean site), the culmination of a long process of cultural homogenization initiated by the emergence of the modern Greek state in 1821. Manesi, for unexplainable reasons, was allowed to keep its Arvanitiko name." ("Blood and Oranges Immigrant Labour and European Markets in Rural Greece", by Christopher M. Lawrence, page 13)
To be continued.
Other articles by Risto Stefov:
http://www.maknews.com/html/articles.html#stefov
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3446
Many thanks to TrueMacedonian from http://www.maknews.com/forum for his contribution to this article.
You can contact the author at rstefov@hotmail.com
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