Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-05-13
Is War i'm the Orient at Hand ?

Is War i'm the Orient at Hand ?
The threatening aspect of affairs in
Europe now more than ever betokens
war. We affirmed our belief in the
beginning of the trouble between Greece
and Turkey, that there was more reason
to expect war to follow than existed at
any time during England and Rcssia's
quarrel over Afghanistan last year.
We still think so and that our readers
may get clear idea of the condition Of
affairs in this connection we give below
re print of an able article in Mon
days New York Sun. 1t SAYS -
The Greek problem has been so far
slmpli6ed that we now know what are
the protested present intentions of all
the powers interested except Russia
The Ministers of England, Germany,
Austria and Italy have quilted Athens
whereas the French Minister remains.
The Russian Minister could neither
stay nor leave because he was not there
being now on his way back from Liva-
dia, acquainted doubtless with the real
as we'll as the ostensible wishes Of his
sovereign. Meanwhile Russia has fer
1nally consented, while France has re-
fused, to sign the joint note declaring a
blockade of the Greek ports. But the
Russian squadron. which withdrew
from Suda Bay, has not rejoined the al.
lied feet, and it remains to be seen
whether 1t will take any active part in
the effort to make the blockade eftec-
tive. The words and actions of the
Russian Minister on his return to Ath-
ems will be watched with acute anxiety
for by the fiat of the Gear alone can
war be averted.
Silence and inacton on the part of
Russia at this junction will be construed
by the Greeks as an assurance that they
like the Blu ]garians, will lose nothing
by bold strike on their own behalf.
If they are convinced that the Cars
strong arm will be outstretched at the
last moment to shield them from the
crushing weight of their Turkish an
tagonist, they will so far obey the i'm
pulse of warlike and patriotic ardor as
to confront the first risks of collision
with the Porte's overwhelming force in
Thessaly. The blockade cannot pre-
vent them from pushing reenforcements
to the front, for even should these be
cut off from passage through the strait
between Eubma and the continent, they
can, at the worst, proceed by land. At
last accounts the Greeks had upward
of 10000 soldiers within a short dis.
lance OF the border, and the number
will be about doubled by the addition
of the reserves which have already been
despatched. AS some Of the positions
too, which they have occupied are cas-
lily defensible, they should be able to
make reasonably long resistance even
to the much stronger body under a
thoroughly competent German COM
mander, Gen, Won der Goltz.
A gallant and perslstant stand
against the Ottomans, who on the first
definite provocation will undoubtedly
attempt to move directly on Larissa,
is indispensable to the success Of the
Greek programme. Time will be need
ed to foment concerted rising among
the Christian subjects Of the Porte, and
sympathetic demonstrations among
their lately liberated kinsmen in the
minor Balkan States. The Greeks may
have to fight as long and well as the
Servians did in 1876 in order to excite
that outburst Of feeling in the Russian
army and bureaucracy which will force
their masters hand. The subjects Of
King George are not likely to forget
how closely their position and their
prospects resemble those on which Ser
via was warranted in counting just ten
years ago. They remember that Alex
ander II. in February 1876, united in
joint note with Austria intended to
coerce the Belgrade Government into a
maintenance of peace, precisely as Alex
ander III. is now ostensibly concurr-
ing in the pacifcatory measures of 9TH
er powers. Some of the Greek Minis
tsrs apparently believe that the Gear
is acting with profound duplicity, con-
WINGED that not only France and Eng
land but the whole Of Christian Europe