Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-03
The situation in Eastern Europe.

The Situation IN E4dSltIh A@'A'
The war clouds in the East are again
gatberiny. indeed, they already present
a very threatening aspect. Greece Is APP
perantly determined TO attack turkey
and Prince Alexander, Of Bulgaria, en-
pbaticallv refuses 10 recognize the de-
mand OF Russia that bis right 10 the Gov
prDorsbip Of Eastern Roumelia shall be
limited 10 five wears. His right is for lde,
he saws, and the Bulgarian papers ap-
plaud him and urge him to be firm. II
the Prince remains firm Russia, 1t is ex-
pected, Will occupy Bulgaria, She VIII
/ hardly be permitted to do that with the
consent OF the other great powers.
The determination OF Greece to attack
Turkey with tle purpose Of forcing COM
piance with the terms Of the treaty OF
Berlin excites general surprise. 1t is not
denied that she mas grounds for her course,
hut unless she has assistance she has but
little chance for success. She may be
plucky and her soldiers may enter the
contest with the utmost enthusiasm, yet
she is hardly a match for Turkey. 1t is
true that Turkey is regarded as not nav
ing much life left in her, but it is probable
small power ike Greece. Her financial
affairs are 10 doubt IN a very bad way,
but then she always appears to be on the
verge OF bankruptcy. When she wants
money, however, she manages somehow
or other TO get it.
The people OF Greece seem TO be more
anxious for hostihtes TO begin than the
government does, and they are pressing
forward while the government is hesitat-
ing. The government doubtless has
better understanding OF the difficulties TO
be encountered The financial resources
OF Greece are exceedingly slender. She
could not equip very large army. and
could not maintain in the field very long
as many men as she could equip. AL
though Greeks IN all parts of the world
are contributing literally, and are
willing to DO all they can in aid Of their
countrymen, of long war would impose
upon them a rather heavier burden than
they could we'll bear.
Greece has only about >, 100000 inhabit-
ants, and by extraordinary exertions she
might be able to put 100000 men in the
field. OF THIS number only 10000 would
BE- veterans. The Turks, it is believed.
have already massed upon the frontier Of
Greece 200, GOO soldiers the most OF whom
are veterans. The Turks are among the
best soldiers in Europe. 1t will be seen,
therefore, that Greece, If she attacks Tur-
key singie-handed, need not expect a short
war nor an easy triumph
But does she expect to fight the battle
to which she is inviting the Turks alone?
Is it not reasonable to suppose that the
firing Of the first gun will cal Serva to
her assistance, and that Servia's partici-
patton in the contest will involve Austria?
And does not Greece know that the first
movement that Austria makes will be the
signal on which Russia will acti Indeed
if bostiities once begin in the East there
is no telling when they will end nor which
of the nations OF Europe will take part in
them.
The belief is growing that there Is
something which makes Greece so anx-
ious for war, and Prince Alexander so
firm with respect 10 the life GOvernOrship
Of Eastern Roumela, of which the world
is not yet informed This belief is largely
based upon the impression that Greece
would not undertake, without hope OF
assistance, war with Turkey, especially
as she has received a warning from Eng
land that is calculated to dampen her
enthusiasm.