"From Bitola", Acropolis, Year 20, No. 7638, 8 May 1903

The Greek newspaper “Akropolis” published a short but very revealing interview with Nikola Karev, the future president of the Kruševo Republic during the Ilinden Uprising. In the interview, Karev identifies as simply Macedonian, strongly rejects the idea that the Macedonian revolutionary struggle is subordinated to Bulgaria or that liberation must come “through Bulgaria.”

He explains that:

- The revolutionary committees do not see Macedonia’s liberation as a Bulgarian project.

- He insists that Bulgaria is simply the only state currently willing to help, not the ideological center of the movement.

- Karev emphasizes that the Macedonian struggle is independent and driven by the local population, the workers, villagers, and ordinary people, who do not fight for foreign interests.

- He also criticizes foreign powers’ attitudes, expressing frustration that Macedonians are often forced to rely on whatever help they can find.

The tone of the piece shows Karev as firm, confident, and unapologetically committed to Macedonian autonomy, presenting the Macedonian revolutionary movement as a grassroots, self-directed uprising rather than an extension of Bulgarian nationalism.