In early 1903 the anarchists had already resolved to carry out bombings in April, the village This led to conflict between them and the head of the Central Committee of VMRO Ivan Garvanov which is strongly opposed to carrying out attacks in Thessaloniki, which he inevitably will lead to the reaction of Turkish authorities and to a great danger to the Central Committee in Salonika. Originally Garvanov Ortse offers to fund their terrorist acts in Skopje, Veles and Bitola, only to remove them from the headquarters of the Central Committee. Once they refuse Garvanov even offers "Gemidzhii" to be liquidated because they want to act on their head. Gotse Delchev and Michael Gerdjikov are also supporters of the attacks, but outside the settlements, primarily to prevent repression of the Bulgarian population. On the eve of the uprising exploded G. Delchev Angista River Bridge and Michael Gerdjikov - railway station in Sineklii. This shows their ideological proximity to the anarchist methods of keeping the fight against the Empire. Boris Academy, a close friend of Ortse also in any way support the bombers. After Ivan Garvanov managed to thwart an attempt to "Gemidzhii" to obtain a significant quantity of dynamite, their last hope remains Academy. He assisted the bombers with 10,000 gold lev who manages to get the Supreme Committee. Subsequently, when the Congress of the VMK is requested to report money spent, even humiliating Academy stating literally that amount had been stolen from a slight woman with whom he had intimate relationships. A few months before the execution of the attacks Ortse insure his life for 10,000 gold lev to return the money to Academy. After receiving the necessary means and ends Tunnel Ottoman Bank "Gemidzhii" proceed with the preparation long shares. The Action Plan was prepared by Ortse Popyordanov and Konstantin Kirkov and was adopted unanimously by the other conspirators. Decides to ignite a French trading ship, because according to "Gemidzhii" France has the largest economic investment in Turkey and the permanent unrest and riots continued prejudice to its positions. Also take into account the strength of French public opinion, which in any unrest would support the cause of Christians. Because of this, notably in France should be most active for the introduction of reforms in the empire.
After examining incoming ships in the port of Thessaloniki, their gaze focuses on "Gadalkivir" Company "Maritime Mesazheri", which should arrive in Thessaloniki on April 15 for travel in the direction of Constantinople, Odessa. This day is scheduled for early preparation of shares. For a bomber "Gadalkivir" is defined Shatev Paul.
On the morning of April 15 Shatev buy travel ticket and boarded the "Gadalkivir" a suitcase full of dynamite, which exploded in the ship from leaving port. All passengers plus crew remain intact, but the steamer was engulfed in flames rising to great heights. "Gadalkivir" forests for nearly a day observed with fear and curiosity of the population of Thessaloniki.
The same evening Mechev Demetrius, Elias and Milan Trachkov Arsov placed dynamite petards and the railway line on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, just before the train arrives from Dedeagach. The blast comes out of the locomotive tracks, most of the windows of cars are broken, but again no casualties.
The next day - April 16 - day "Gemidzhii" do nothing. But when dusk, Costa Kirkov blowing gas and water pipes that supply the city with electricity and water. "Patronized" by the city of St. Demetrios remained in total darkness. This is a signal for other conspirators planned to start operations. Mechev Trachkov and try to blow up the factory for coal-gas, but are felt by the guards and driven by gunshots. While fleeing the streets, they began to throw their bombs around the city, causing panic among the population. Subsequently Mechev Trachkov and are surrounded by the army and gendarmerie and having spent his remaining stock of explosives, were killed on the spot. At the same time remaining "Gemidzhii" perform the rest of the plan. Ortse blows foundations of the Ottoman Bank and Milan Arsov and Georgi Bogdanov bombs in the garden - theater "Alhambra" and cafe "Nyon" the port. Vladimir Pingov was shot while trying to ignite Boshnyak Khan. Surviving bombers failed to return to his lodgings, where they remain until morning. After these pogroms the authorities mobilized the entire army and gendarmerie, which start on the heels of "Gemidzhii." Early morning on April 17, Costa Kirkov out of his apartment and headed to the telegraph station to pick it up in the air. Before he can ignite the fuse of the bomb, he was killed by the guards. Same day at noon Ortse Popyordanov for two to three hours throwing bombs from his apartment in the besieged soldiers it until eventually shot in the head. After Ortse corpse is removed from the house of frenzied rage soldiers are trying to disfigure him with their knives. But the governor Hasan Fehmi stops them by saying:
"Here's to die for as fatherland. Let killed you an example how to sacrifice and die for the fatherland! "Until April 17 evening sacrifices of the gendarmerie and the army are 42 people, from bombers are just Dimitar Mechev, Elijah Trachkov Vladimir Pingov, Ortse Popyordanov Kirkov and Constantine.
In Thessaloniki Muslims bristle covered by anti-Bulgarian hysteria and rage. The Turks set to defeat the Bulgarian population. Governor Hasan Fehmi, however, managed to calm the passions, and toured the city and assured the population that the military and administrative authority will be able to deal with the establishment of order and tranquility of citizens. The same day evening, on his way to his lodgings in the neighborhood "Pirgite" phaeton governor of encountering one of the supporters of "Gemidzhii" - Cvetko Traikov, who plans to execute the death sentence pronounced by the group against Hasan Fehmi. But when trying to approach it is felt by Traikov security of governor and chased. Just before being caught, he was able to ignite his bomb and quietly sit on it as a blow up before the astonished eyes of the governor and soldiers.
This episode ends the attacks in Thessaloniki, which became one of the events not only nailed the eyes of the Turkish authorities, but also throughout Europe. In the coming days at the port of Thessaloniki arrive Austrian and Italian fleet and try to prevent the excesses over the Christian population. European public in the majority reacts negatively to the attacks in Thessaloniki. On the other hand all the most authoritative newspapers contain the significant volume of material for the attacks, again grabs the European public opinion towards the Macedonian question.
For several days the survivors Bogdanov, Milan Arsov, Marco Boshnakov Shatev Paul and all other associates, and associates of the conspirators were arrested and transferred to a special military court. All bombers killed and others were buried in common graves in Bulgarian tomb in the upper left corner of the cemetery, around the small church-chapel "St. Paul".
But who actually killed five terrorists? What are their ideological beliefs and why with such a light hand have decided to give up his life so young age?
Jordan Popyordanov (Ortse) was born in Veles in 1881, where he completed his education. Then stored in the Thessaloniki School, which did not end as it starts to engage in revolutionary activities. Here's what you wrote about it in his memoirs Paul Shatev:
"He and Constantine are Kirkov founder and soul of the circle" Gemidzhii "that early in the task was more for self-education in pure nihilist spirit. Russian anarchists are Ortse spiritual teachers who seek to emulate them in every respect. Ortse conceal their nature, large companies did not like it, but with close relatives and friends he loves to talk, to criticize and make fun. Popyordanov favorite subject in school are math and history and other subjects he considers unnecessary. From an early age he showed his leadership qualities. In Salonika School has initiated a student revolt, which is precisely the reason for his leaving high school. "
Once separated from the school Ortse be included in the Macedonian liberation movement. But it is totally different from the Macedonian rebels and chieftains. At it lacks any thirst for glory or ostentation. Minutes to blow the Ottoman Bank, the young man hurried to warn its director, to no innocent victims.
Ortse typical individualist-anarchist in their perceptions and ideas about revolution. And perhaps most accurately described him Shatev words of Paul: "He was a national figure, in international sense."
(Follows)
Marian Gyaurski