The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-05-15 00:00:00

THE MINISTERIAL DEADLOCK.

The Times Athens correspondent, telegraphing on
Monday, wrote:

M. lielyannis will have an audience with the King
to-day. Up to the present his Majesty has refused to
accept the resignation of the Ministry, but it is be-
lieved that he will finally yield, and that a provisional
Ministry will be formed by M. Rikakis, President of
the Chamber of Deputies. The Opposition Press
severely criticises the action of the Government, de-
claring it to be responsible for the present situation,
and adding that it must find a solution of the diffi-
culty, as no fresh Ministry from the Opposition will
take office. The Hora states that M. Tricoupis will
not undertake the formation of a new Cabinet.

Telegraphing the same evening, the Times corres-
pondent said :—M. Delyannis at his audience with
the King to-day persisted in his resignation, and de-
clared that if it were not accepted he would hand
over to His Majesty the seals of office and withdraw.
The King therefore summoned M. Tricoupis who re-
presents the minority in the Chamber, but the leader
of the Opposition declined the task of forming a new
Cabinet, stating that, the country being constitutional,
the choice of Government should come from the
Chamber and not from the King. It is consequently
believed that the Chamber will be summoned in order
that the sense of the House may be taken on the
matter. A meeting of the supporters of the Govern-
ment was held to-day at the residence of M.
Delyannis, at which the latter explained his reasons
for resigning'. Some discontent was expressed that
the Government should have taken such a step with-
out previously consulting their party.

Correspondents on Wednesday reported that M.
Papamichalopoulos, a former Minister of the Interior
under M. Delyannis, has undertaken the formation of
a new Greek Ministry. M. Delyannis is reported to
have stated, at a meeting of his supporters, that there
was no alternative open to Greece between a san-
guinary struggle and submission to the Powers. The
ex-Premier also promised his hearty co-operation to
..... Cl,,,Lotcalattuvpla
that bodies of Greek irregulars are being formed, and
are advancing on the Turkish fro.itier. The Porte
declares that the Ottoman troops will repel any
attempt on the part of guerilla bands to disturb the
peace.
A Parliamentary paper has been issued, containing
a Circular Despatch, dated the 6th inst., sent by Lord
Rosebery to her Majesty's representatives abroad,
respecting the affairs of Greece. It explains at some
length the policy adopted by the Government, in con-
junction with the other Powers, in order to prevent
war, and says that every consideration has been shown
for the susceptibilities of the Hellenic Government.
With reference to its reply of the 29th ult., which all
the Powers deemed unsatisfactory, Lord Rosebery
says; A suggestion was made by me that the Greek
Government should, of their own accord, supplement it
by written explanations of a definite character as to
the progress of disarmament, which I would have
endeavoured to induce the other Governments to
accept as sufficient, and to keep secret, if ''so desired,
for a short period. M. Delyannis, however, refused
to avail himself of this opportunity. He contends, as
I understand, that the Collective Note of the 26th
restrains the hitherto uncontrolled liberty of action of
the Greek Government, which therefore cannot dis-
arm; and, further, that a small State cannot yield to.
pressure, as a great Power might, without loss of.
dignity. To this it is sufficient to reply that tile Greek
Government has not enjoyed liberty of action, in that
sense, since the Note of the 25th January; and
that no doctrine can be conceived more fatal to
those principles of self-respect and moral equality
which form the basis of international relations
than the theory that a small State has not the same
freedom to act rightly and do its duty, nay, even to
acknowledge itself in the wrong, that is enjoyed by a
great Power. Under these circumstances, the repre-
sentatives have been instructed to address a further
Note to M. Delyannis, taking note of the peaceful
assurances of the Greek Government, but stating that
these are not sufficiently precise to effect the objects
in view, and asking for further explanations. If no
:.;.,i.tisfactory answer should be received to this last
communication it will become necessary for her
Majesty's Government to consider with the other
Powers with whom they are acting the means of
exercising material pressure upon the Hellenic
Government to induce compliance with their rea-
sonable demands. Her Majesty's Government believe
that in the employment of such measures they are
adopting a course more friendly and favourable to
Greece than that of leaving her to face single-handed
a conflict with Turkey. But whether this be so or

not, ticelffif duty of her Majesty's Government is to
co-operate with the other European rowers for the
maintenance of the general peace. The welfare of
Greece and of the Hellenic races outside her frontier
has not ceased to be the object of that friendly solici-
tude of which this countyy has given so many proofs;
but they feel bound, for that very reascn, to oppose
a policy of unjust aggression, not less unjustifiable
because pursued by a small State, which threatens
disaster to Greece and a wanton disturbance of
European peace.