One of the main reasons behind the kidnapping of Miss Stone was political. The Macedonian Committee wanted to draw attention from European nations to the poor leadership and lawlessness in the Macedonian region, which was then ruled by the Ottoman Empire. Their goal was to force the powerful countries of Europe to step in and demand that the Sultan of Turkey fulfill the promises he made during the 1878 Berlin Conference.
At that time, the Sultan had promised reforms when Macedonia was returned to his rule. However, many of those reforms were never carried out. By showing the world how dangerous and unstable the region had become, the Committee hoped to pressure the European Powers to act Miss Stone’s Accidental Revelations.
Making Macedonia Unsafe for Foreigners
The Macedonian Committee was very open about its plans. Before and after Miss Stone’s kidnapping, they declared that they would make Macedonia so unsafe for foreigners that powerful nations would have no choice but to intervene. Their hope was that if foreign citizens were threatened or harmed, their governments would get involved and help end Turkish control over the region.
Attempt to Involve the United States in the Eastern Question
Another goal of the kidnapping was to create serious tension—or even war—between Turkey and the United States. By kidnapping an American citizen on Turkish soil, the committee hoped to involve the U.S. in what was known as the “Eastern Question,” a long-standing political issue involving the future of the Ottoman Empire. Up until that point, the United States had avoided becoming involved in the region’s conflicts.
Conflict Between the Old and New Committees
There is strong evidence that two different Macedonian Committees existed—an older group and a newer one. The old committee was made up of desperate, often dishonorable men. It was this group that kidnapped Miss Stone.
In contrast, the new committee was formed by more respectable and responsible leaders. They were reportedly very worried that the kidnapping might harm the image of the Macedonian freedom movement, especially among Christians in Europe Walking Tours Sofia.
A Struggle Over the Hostages
Miss Stone later described in her McClure’s Magazine article that during her captivity, her captors were attacked by another group of brigands. She believed this second group may have been trying to capture her and Mrs. Tsilka in order to claim the ransom money for themselves.
Some reports from Sofia mentioned that the new committee may have organized this attempt, but the truth remains unclear. It is not known whether their intention was to rescue the hostages or simply to take control of the ransom. Either way, it highlights the internal divisions among those who claimed to be fighting for Macedonian freedom.
The kidnapping of Miss Stone was more than a simple crime—it was part of a larger political struggle. The actions of the Macedonian Committee were designed to force international attention on their cause, even if it meant risking the lives of innocent people. However, disagreements between the old and new committees show that even among the Macedonian revolutionaries, there were serious divisions about the right way to achieve their goals.
