Smyrna times., 1880-07-14
Turkey VS.. Greece.

1t is evident that unless the European
Powers Immediately intervene in the inter.
est OF peace-an event by no means proba-
ble-that Turkey and Greece will shortly
attempt the settlement of their differences
by going to war. The sensational dis.
patches from Berlin, Vienna and other
points remote from the scene of probable
conflict have no especial bearing upon the
matter save that they show general feel.
ing of uneasiness throughout Europe; but
the dispatches direct from Athens and from
Constantinople, each telling of intense mill
tary activity at headquarters and of the
actual departure of large bodies of troops
for the field, mean great deal. Given the
position that a Turkish and Grecian army
are within shooting distance of each other,
the weight Of all history goes to show that
tight is unavoidable unless u power stron.
ger than both of them put together steps in
and muzzles their guns.
That Greece should be so ready to rush
into battle proves rather that the old fight
ing spirit still is strong within her than
that she is especially discreet. According
to the estimates for 1879 the Grecian forces,
of all arms, number but 1000 men. Her
navy is nsignifcant-a brace of little iron.
clads, half a dozen small screw steamers,
three schooners and couple of revenue
cutters: the whole manned by $50 officers
and sailors. Under law passed last wear,
all able.bodied males of twenty.ene years
and upwards are compelled to serve in the
army-with the colors for three years, in
| the reserve for six years and in the militia
| for ten years. But'this law only went into
effect last January and so will not material.
| ly affect the present situation. On the
other hand, the Turkish army-according
| to the best guess.work, Tor no Trustworthy
| figures are obtainable-probably numbers
not less than 100000 men and the Turkish
navy includes fifteen large and eighteen
small iron-clads, and a considerable fleet of
wooden steamers and sailing vessels. Two
years ago there were in service aboard these
ships 10000 sailors and 5000 marines. So
| far as fight on paper is concerned it is eVi.
dent that Greece has but poor chance of
success. But fighting on paper and in the
field are different things, and it does not by
any means follow that Greece will be beaten.
Her best reason for hope obviously lies in
the fact that she will 60 into the fight fresh
and controlled by government that knows
its mind, while Turkey is worn out by fight.
ing and has no head that is capable oi
guiding it firmly. Both countries are about
on the same plane financially. Turkey ac
tually, and Greece virtually bankrupt.
There is not much probability that the
European Powers will be able to prevent
the war from beginning. The time fol
action of that nature is past. Only by
landing foreign troops could hostilities be
stayed, and to accomplish this would re
quire weeks and months of negotiation
and the war now is matter of hours anC
days. All that is possible in the way O
peace.making is to intervene at the end O
the first or second round. And from pres
ent appearances, not only in Greece AMI
Turkey, but all over Europe, the possible
ties of successful intervention at this early
period are anything but cheering.-Phaa
Times.
! BIsMARCK's DOG.-O1e of the most con
: spieuous members of Bismarcks household
is gigantic hound called the "Realm Dog.
This animal, his mighty masters constan
companion, is stern of aspect and violen
? in disposition. He inspires fear rathe
5 than love in all men save one, and has &C
quired formidable renoun for havin
collared" several eminent personages-
among them Prince Gortschakoff, whose aT
pearance inspired him with distrust or il
!. whom his instincts revealed to him tn
j, entertainment of hostile purpose toward hi
y lord. For his intelligence in this respec
+, he is highly priced by Bismarck, who
known to entertain considerable faith i
n the accuracy of his dogs judgment {
a character. The other day two delegate
/ from Altoona, charged with presenting
|. petition, were received by Bismarck Th
d Chancellor sat in his rocking-ohair, tn
e "Realm Dog" stretched on the carpe
while tho delegates took their seats facin
h his Highness. One of the delegates held
d roll of paper in his right hand, and, bein
p an energetic speaker accustomed to emph
|: size his arguments by gesticulation,
y rolled his scroll about while addressir
:. Bismarck, disregardful of the fact that
u movements elected several successive disa
proving utterances from the watchf
hound; whereupon Bismarck, hastily i
70 terruptiug his interlocutor's remarks, g
IS claimed: Do put down that scroll, b.
of you. Ny dog, like myself, entertains
}" profound aversion to every kind of pape
le He believes it to be weapon u 1t is nee
> less to add that the delegate prompt
., complied with this request, obviously to Il
to satisfaction of the dog, who at once sub
it ded into peaceful attitude.