The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-25
SALISBURY'S VETO OF EMPEROR
WILLIAMS PROPOSITION Is
WARMLY PRAISED.
RAASVAAL INQUIRY CRITICISED
That Public Sentiment is Veering
Toward the Liberal Party.
Sanitary Conference.

i<ohuOh, icD. .-O.-NSOpS i'ShsNui Aop''
by the Associated Press)-The Cretan
question is now foremost in the public
mind, and the newspapers publish col
umns daily on the subject. The Mar
auis of Salisbury's refusal to follow the
suggestions Of Emperor William of
Germany and blockade Piraeus is warm
ly praised in Great Britain, and his sug-
gestion to the powers that Crete be grant
ed autonomy similar to that of the Island
Of Samoa is well received in many quar-
tiers as affording solution for the prob
lem which Greece can accept without too
great sacrifice of native pride. This
proposition, it is understood, also finds
favor in circles where the feeling is pro-
Hellenic.
The dispatches from Berlin to the Lon
don newspapers all eXpatiate on the
pique of the emperor on the Marquis of
Salsbury's refusal to agree to his propo-
sails, which was expressed in his refus-
ing to call on the British ambassador, Sir
Edward 'Lascelles, while the German
ambassador, Count Won Harzfeld, had Il
heated conversation with the Marquis of
Salisbury. 1t is understood the emper-
or insisted on the foreign governments CO.
operating This is stated to be. due to
his majesty's desire to overcome the
reichstag's opposition to his naval pro-
jects. He decided to initiate n very act
i've eastern policy without having a ship
in the Levant. The adoption of the pro,
posal to blockade the port Piraeus would
have been personal triumph for the en-
peror and the opposition would have been
obliged to agree to increase the strength
Of the German navy in order to uphold
the national honor. This little scheme,
however, was knocked in the head by the
Ar Il, &c n; urv'u nnnpcitinn
The Turkish government is uneasy at
the division of the powers over this qucs.
ton, fearing it might cause break up OF
the European concert, which would mean
an immediate explosion in the Balkans
and the subsequent disruption of Turkey;
Opinion is universal that Crete now will
never return to the Turkish yoke, The
island will either become independent or
a part of Greece. The chief danger now
is a collision on the Thessalian frontier.
The news that Turkey has ordered her
fleet to be modified was received with
derision throughout Europe. One news
paper suggests that the Turkish ironclads
are more suitable for oyster barks than
for fighting.
the arrangements for n state. inquiry OF
such Importance as the one being made
by the parliamentary committee into the
Jameson raid. 1t is held in a small, mis-
cradle room. and the proceedings are al
together devoid of dignity. Moreover
the sweating arrangement, putting the
witness in the center of his judges, TENDS
to familiarity. The feeling OF the pub
lie certainly appears to be leaning to the
side of Col. Cecil Rhodes. whose exam
nation will last another four or five SEES
sions The inquiry promises to be IN
termnablc.
The comments of the press here on the
Transvaals big claim for indemnity on
account of the Jameson raid are general.
The Spectator says:
1.-THE claim Is not original, and Is prac-
tically on the same ground as the United
States made in the Alabama case
The liberal victory in the Surrogate dis
trct in Surrey, following on the other lib
eral successes. is received with great re-
joicing by the liberal press, which points
out that out of thirty-three, bye elections
the liberals have won four from the gov
eminent and retained all of their own
seats. The liberal press predicts that
upon the general election the liberals will
re-cnter power with slight majority.
The international sanitary conference
at Venice is making satisfactory progress.
1t was announced that Great Britain has
agreed to the ratification of the Paris
convention of 1919.
DIR. Thornc. the British technical dele
no less than the cholera He urged ac-
ton against the plague the same as is tax
en- in cholera cpitlcmics.
The Turkish delegate denied the exist
ence of plague on the Red sea.
Ten days was adopted as the basis of
sanitary regulations. beginning from date
Of departure from the suspected port. In
regard to ratification of tho Paris con
vention il is understood that Great Brit
ain excluded from its application Canada.
Australia and Cane Colony.
Many notable delegates from various
countries in Asia, Europe and America
are present.
DR. Borne. under secretary of foreign
affairs of Italy, is presiding over the ses-
sion. The debates and decisions proba
bly, will not he made public, following
the precedent of the cholera conference in
Paris four years ago. the deliberations of
which are still withheld.
The magnificent Hertford art collec-
ton, left by Sir Richard Walker, the eel
-.ebrated English philanthropst. to his
widow. has now been bequcathcd to the
nation by her. The collection is one of
the finest private galleries in the world.
and is only rivalcd by the Borghese col