Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-19
THE NEW TROUBLES IN EUROPE.

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THE NEW TROUBLES IN EUROPE.
The Cretan question and the Span
ish question have acquired new in
terest. The serious attitude of the
Turkish government, in reference to
the conduct of Greece in sustaining
the Cretan rebellion, has been shown,
not only by the ultimatuna issued a
short time ago, which terminated
on the 18th inst, but by the order
to the Turkish Ambassador to leave
Athens. Though the demands of
Turkey are backed up by France
and England, Greece has thus far
refused to comply. There is no ev-
idence that Greece has any direct
promises of support from Russia.
Both Russia and Austria would,
doubtless, be more than willing to |
forward any complications that gave |
promise of bringing about the dis
solution of the Turkish Empire.
Both of them look forward to great
gains on their own account, in such
an event But there is no reason,
says the New York Times, to believe
that Russia would be willing to pre-
cipitate war at this time to accom-
plish her ends. The Greek govern
ment may permit itself to drift into
war with Turkey, conscious that
it is impossible to lose much, and
hoping that something may turn up
to bring about, not only the annex
alton Of the island of Crete, but the
enlargement of the boundaries of
the Greek kingdom on the main land.
The deep sympathy of the Greek
people with the Cretan struggle is
shown, not merely 10y the large
amount Of supplies and munitions
Of war they have furnished to the
revolutionary Cretans, but by the
large number of volunteers that
have gone over to the island, during
the last two years, to take part in its
liberation from the power of the
Turk. All Christendom, in fact,
must sympathize with the Christian
struggle against Moslem authority,
which has been so herOically sus-
tanned under the most adverse cir
cumstances; and though that sym
pathy has been most forcibly ex'
pressed in Prussia and the United
States, yet the revolutionists are
conscious of a general support
throughout Europe that would make
itself felt to their advantage in case
an opportunity were offered. 1t Il
in view Of all these circumstance
that Greece has taken her stanC
against the menaces of the Turks
In Spain, the demonstrations o
the Republicans are threatening tn
existence of the Provisional Gov
eminent. Their most formidabl
attempt has been at Cadiz, wher
they have carried on hostilities 10
week past, but we also hear OF a
expected rising in Barcelona, prep'
rations for revolt in Arragon, an
great agitation and alarm througl
out the whole country. There new
was a Liberal movement in any pa
of the world commenced mo
finely and hopeful than that again
the Spanish Bourbons three mont
ago. But latterly there have be
indications of bad management a
intrigue; and with these have
peared signs Of danger to the pal
of Prim and SerranO. 1t would
very painful to see the Liberal rev
luton terminate in anarchy a
bloodshed, instead of the Libe
Constitutional Government VIII
we have been led to expect. TA
has been no outside interferel
against Spain, and there is as yet
talk of French intervention. Dou
less Napoleon is watching ev'
movement with keen interest,
doubtless he would like an OPT
tunitv to turn up, in which he ml
AGAIN show himself rs the arb
of Europe" and do something
regain the prestige he has last
late wears. But probably fore
inc this, both Prussia and Aus
have declared that Spain shall
the opportunity of constituting
self according TO the will Other
people, without foreign interfere
and this is a warning which mus
regarded at This time, even by
poleon.
When Greece and Turkey
threatening each other with a
which brings apprehension upc
Europe, it would be madness
Napoleon to interfere with Spa
view of the attitude of the
Great Powers.