New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-25

49,. ,,:Ts, (. CoYsTANTTNoPLE, Jan. I, 1857
The Greeks have at last succeeded in forcing the
Turks TO take the initiative in reopening the Eastern
question The Sultan has been for two months press
ing his ministers to declare war against Greece ag
Greece was practically carrying on Yer sgainst
Turkey, net only n Crete, but IN Thessaly and
EpiraS The ministers of the Porte knew very well
that nothing would please the Greeks 50 much as
such declaration Of war, and they have Kept inc
Sultan back, even at.the risk Of losing their own
places Meanwhile Greece has gone steadily forward
in her preparations for war in the Spring. Wrote
Won two months ago that this what was to be an
ticpated. Now the Porte has taken a decisive pre-
liminary step. They cannot subdue Crete while
Greece remains free to support the rebels. So they
have lust addressed note to the three protecting
powers, England, France, and Russia, demanding
that they take Greece in hand.
The following is the substance of the note: The
Porte first complains Of the hostile attitude of Greece,
not only in Crete but also in Thessaly, where the
Turkish frontier is Systematically violated by bands
Of insurgents in the very presence and in some sort
with the consent of the Greek troops, whose business
it is to protect the frontier Moreover attempts are
making TO lead the people of Thessaly to revolt and
most deplorable excuses have been committed with
out any attempt the part of the Greek Government
to preserve peace 1t is not the desire OF the Imperial
Government to bring about open and declared war,
with Greece but while it will carefully abstain from
all which might produce war; it is fully resolved to
.accept all the consequences of any situation which
may be created by Greece. The Sublime Porte thinks
it proper to acquaint the protecting Governments
with the present state of affairs, and to decline all
responsibility for any results which may ensue. 1t
also hopes that the protecting powers will use their
good offices to prevent the bloody collision which is
imminent, and if necessary that they will use force
to bring the Hellenic Government to proper sense
Of its duties.
This document is not yet made public, but you
may depend upon the above resume as trustworthy.
The note has already been sent to the three powers
What will be the result The Greeks have reached
that point where nothing but force can prevent their
going to war with Turkey in behalf of Crete. Can
Russia England, and France agree to use this force
against Greece Russia has already settled upon an
answer to this note, so far she is concerned Gen.
Iguatief win reply that the present state OF things
has been brought on by the Turks themselves that
Russia cannot interfere but that she sees no hope OF
peace except in the annexation Of Crete TO the King
dom of Greece. England cannot send troops to
Greece nor can either England or Russia consent to
have Greece occupied by French troops.
There is but one way in which war can be avoided.
England, France, and Russia must agree to mediate
between Greece and Turkey in such way to settle
the Cretan question satisfactorily. doubt whether
either Russia or Turkey will be inclined to adopt any
such settlement The Sgltan is too warlike. he is
full Of war He will listen TO compromise. Russia
has everything TO gain and nothing to lose by war
between Turkey and Greece. As far as l can see,
there is every prospect of war.
Regarding this note as q preliminary of war, it is
worth while to consider the relative position of Tur
key and Greece There is"a vast disparity between
the two Empires in population and territory, Turkey
being from p to 30 times larger than Greece But the
Turks draw their soldiers only from their Mussulman
population. This is nominally 2OOOOOOO but much Of
it is unavailable for recruiting purposes. Turkey
could not put into the field for aggressive warfare
more than 10000 men. Her navy is small She has,
however four good iron-cads, but her sailors and
naval officers are blunderheads and landsmen. As to
equipment neither army nor ships are supplied with
proper modern arms. AS to money the treasury is
bankrupt. Greece has moro money than Turkey
She has only few men-of-war In her navy, about p
in all but'she has Is 900 of the best sailors and the
most desperate fighters belonging to any marine in
the world. Her regular army numbers only 10000 |
men, but in case of defensive wal, every Greek from
10 years old is soldier, and the hope Of Greece |
would be in the revolts which would at once |
take place in Thessaly, Epirus, and in several /
of the Greek Islands. If Turkey cannot subdue the
and fleet of % to 80 vessels what can she do when
to Crete added Thessaly, Eprus, the Greek Islands,
and the Kingdom of Greece itself. This is the way
the Greeks reason and there is little force in what
they say. The Turks could nflict great loss upon
the Greeks but in the end, believe, thai war |
would result in the contraction Of the Turkish En-
pire and the extension of the Kingdom of Greece. |
Many of the weathest Greeks in ConstantinOple are
closing up then affairs and arranging to leave in the
early Spring.
you that a of Marco BoZzaris, of whom Halleek !
wrote his famous ode, is 10 60 70 the United states
as Minister from Greece. | am assured by creeks |
here who are IN the secret that this has been de- !
cided upon, although il is not yet announced. The i
significance of this will be more apparent when 1t IS
that there is no Greek Minister even IN
London or Paris The Turks have got WIND OF tins, /
and they too talking of sending Minister across
the Atlantic TO counterfeit the influence OF the
Greeks. What n change within few years IN
American influence in Europe But trust that our
Government will not allow its head to be turned by
these facts IL is not our policy to interfere in
Europe Ii ought not to be; but moral influence is
doing moro for Europe now than our armies and
nayles could ever do. We may aid the Greeks and
with them as individuals, but not as
The message of President Johnson has caused an
unwonted excitement in COnstantnOple. The brief
allusiOn to Eastern affairs coupled with the recon-
TO send Minister TO Greece has caused
veritable sensation The Greeks interpret it as @
declaration of sympathy for them and the Cretans.
The Turks, who have been driven by the. European
papers to believe in possible active alliance be-
tween Russia and the United States, see ia
this covert statement partial confirmation
Of their fears. OF course, nothing of this kind
was intended, but it should be impressed
upon the President that if Minister is to be sent TO
Athens at this critical uncure it is of the very first
importance that he be man of great discretion and
if possible, of diplomatic experience wise states
man would have an immense influence oyer the
Greeks, and would do them much good. They need
such man there for they have everything 60 learn
Their kingdom has been up to the present time
disgrace to Europe, and in many things there is but
little to choose between Greeks and Turks An