New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-28


THE DEMAND OF FRANCE AND ITALY.
LONDON. Friday, Dec. q, 1917.
The Ministers of Austria, Germany. and Rus-
STA at Athens acting instructions from their respect
i've Governments, have jointly advised the Greek GOV
eminent TO end the dispute about the LauTiGm shver
mines by coDcedipg the demands OF France ana itaV'
THE ORIGIN or THE COYPLICATIoNs-How A
GOVERNMENT HAS PROSECUTED PRIVATE
COMPANY.
The troubles between Greece and the Coy
ernments Of Italy and France owing TO the connect
ing claims of Greece end company composed Of Italian
and French subjects 10 the valuable silver mines OF
Laurum. These mines, In ancient times, suppned tho
Greeks with the for the coins which are now stored
away among the collections OF antiquartes and pub
Lie institutions throughout the world. For
long time these mines abandoned by
workmen, and tho district was only visited
by curious travellers. The Greek Government, abont
ten years ago. various efforts to test these mnes
but failed to way clear 20 make any Immediate
profit from working either the refuse ore and scoria IN
the neighborhoOd mentioned by strabo, or from the
mines, the shafts Of which were very numerous. In
1868 q French metallurgist named RouI, and an
Italian serpieri carefully investigated the ma
terial about the mines. Two years later,
having ascertained that the mines might be
worked with profit, they purchased tho and and Cd
tanned what they believed to be adequate concessions
Mining Company. snd having secured large amount
OF capital they made extensive preparations for begin.
ming the Numerous buildings and furnaces were
erected town OF 5000 Inhabitants built, deserted
bay converted into frcquepted port, men oi
SCIENCE OF many different nstionalites engaged in
the direction OF the operations and 2Oos workmen were
employed at rates OF wages before known in the
country.
The concessions which the Company demanded and
imagined had obtained we're enttle It the argen
tferous lead whether in the mines, public or
private lands within certain limit, according TO the
Greek law IL asserts that the concessions gave the
right OF property IN the refuse ekboas strabo
calls it, we'll the scoria and In the mines The
Greek Government did not contest this claim until about
two years ago. then arguing that the concessions dh not
include the surface Tho mines had proved to
be valuable aud from that time also, the arbitrary inter
ference OF the Greek Government began Political leaders
place and the Athenan press came TO the concu
that treasure had been foDnd and seized the OPP
portunity OF working public opinion TO such degree
that all Greece persuaded that the surface
fund of wealth. and that stOoOOOOO conld be obtained
from it without difficulty. The surface regarded
nalienable inheritance OF the Greek nation Tho
people were taught tO believe that bona tide employ
ment OF this species Of property coud give any right 10
a portion OF this national wealth. The result of
this popular excitement that the Greek
Government procured the enactment OF law
inc from continuing 10 maze use
Of tho in dispute until the right Of property should
be determined by the Legislature. afterward.
after animated discussions in the Chamber law
passed declaring that the refuse national prop
erty. During the discussion 1t explicitly declared
the objects OF the law close the Greek
tribunals against any claims the part OF the foreign
mining company. In order 10 give retroactive force to
the law, only oxOrbitant tax imposed the
Company for the future but for the eight before
the passage OF the bill while Company working
the mines, 500 demanded by the Government.
The projectors OF the enterprise thereupon appealed
to their respective Governments for protection against
what they con sdered an act OF spoatiou As France
was prevented BY the with Germany from taking
active ia the interest of the Company and the
appeal TO the Italian Government also frtess the
Company was forced 10 offer the mines to the Greek
Government for s3,SOOOoo. Tho Crock Premier that
time Komoundouros accepted the offer and promised
lay bill to effect the transfer. before the Chambers
Nevertheless learning that he would not be ahe To
procure the passage of the BILL he resigned. His
successor Deeeogs refused to recognize the arrange
men and conceived the plan Of laying the question be-
fore the courts. In the mean limo the French and
italian Governments had begun take an interest In
the subject and demanded that the Greek Government
should either agree 10 compromise with tho Company
refer the question TO the arbitration VI interna
tonal commission. After q new ministerial crisis In
Greece the Government Of that country proposed that
the Company should remain In possession Of the
mines upon paying tar OF 20 per cent OF its prots This
the Company refused aud the proposition again made
to bring the before the courts OF Greece The
pany, without apparent Justification hestated
to do ths considering the indisposed decide
imparally According 10 tho foregoing telegram a
feature in this complication has been introduced Ivy
combined effort Of three OF the great Powers Of Europe
10 induce the Greek Government 10 agree to the de
maEds OF the Governments Of France and Italy.