New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-19
A CONFERENCE OYER CRETE.
NEGOTIATIONS IN PROGRESS FOR
MEETING OF THE POWERS.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY or UNITED ACTION
THE STANDARD OIL MAKES PURCHASE.


THE STANDARD OIL MAKES PURCHASE.
Berlin July is-Prince Blsmnrcks opinion upon
the Crctan question: given by the ex-ChanceHor
I, an interview published In the "Neue Free
Presse" OF Vienrn that II interested him less than
did the small plot OF land In his garden Is beng
DEFY quoted by the German press. and quite az
extensively commented upon. This opinion, now
ever is not shared In the Foreign Once. where the
expected developments Of the situation are best ap-
rreciated nor ic II shared by the Emperor, VINO.
during his northern trip. is daily sending and re-
celyirg tceerams upon the subject. Until recently
German diplomacy has been kept in the background
% far as Cre.an matters have ben conc. rnec and
the German Ambassador Mt Constantinople Baron
sarrma Won Jeltsch has acted strictly in con-
sonance with Baron de Calico the Austrian Am
bassador to Turkey in his Intercourse with the
Porte aiming ut the maintenance Of the Turkish
rey5me IN Crete with some notifications favorable
TO the Inhabitants of that island.
The tide of affairs however has now changed
end there s high authority for the statement that
negotiations are in progress for the calling OF
inference of tho European powers TO consider the
sdvisabllty Of concerted interference Some OF the
Paris ncwgnapers indeed announce that W. Hano-
taux Minister of Foreign Affairs. has actually MADE
q d rect propose! tina; such n conference be con-
vened but this assertion has been seml-ohicially
denied. II IL fact that communications are peng
exchanged among some OF the Powers with
troubles
The basis OF the difficulty lies In the scope OF the
suggested conference. All Of the Powers are now
convinced that the Cretans will no longer submit
10 the absolute authority Of the Turks. and they fear
an extension Of the rising Of the islanders to Mace
donia and the consequent precipitation OF the whoe
Eastern question to acute stage The Powers
constituting the Drcibund-Italy. Germany ana
Ausria-together with England. will accept con-
fence If It shall be limited to consideration Of
settlement Of the troubles in Crete. 1t s only Russia
and France that want a wider basis OF consdera-
ton. In tie mean time the Pore seadiy opposes
all Intervention on the part of the Powers The gem
eral belief in diplomatic circles here. however. is
that a conference will be arranged upon the terms
laid down by the Dreibun1 Powers and that 1t VIII
be held in Constantnope II the Porte viii consent
to IT, and probably in Vienna II the Turkish Gov
eminent refuses TO have 1t meet in the turkish
capital.
Two notable by-elecions for members OF the
Reichstag have beer held this week. In the
Loewenberg district the Freisinnig candidate was
elected by loo majority over the candidates OF
the Agrarians and the C9mserya;yes m5h@Tto
The Agrarans explain their defeat In every way
berg and to that cause is due the last OF their
the Schwetz district the German candidate beat
the Polish nominee by only ls1 votes after an ex-
ccedngly bitter contest. in which number OF free
Under Secretary Of State Won B6schoten Of the
South African Republic who has been In Berlin
fer some time. has left the city. and his departure
has caused the issue of scm-Of1cial communica-
tions asserting that he not charged with any
special mission TO the German Government. Never
thelcss no made repeated calls at the Foreign
OiIice while here. There is no doubt thai the re-
neWal of ami"ahle relations between Germany and
England which were In slight degree disturbed
by the Transvaal troubles. caused by Dr. Jane
sons raid foilcd Won ';jschoton in whatever pur-
pose he may have had in coming 10 Berlin.
The "Reichsanzeiger" the official journal. an
that I'm the Governments Colonial bill
there will be a striking provision whereby young
colonsts liable 10 military service In the German
Army may perform such service in the colonial
forces instead OF being obliged TO serve in Ger
many.
The Standard Oil Company has purchased nearly
ono half Of the shares of the syndicate OF tho
Nobel Brothers. the great Russian oil merchants.
thuG making possible the formation of a union Of
the American and Russian producers OF petroleum.
The German a American Petroleum Syndicate has
acquired by purchase the business of the Ruth
Company and the Baku Standard Company at
Dusseldorf