The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-25
ENGLAND GAGS.
She Can Not Swallow the Turk
ish Policy
Undertaken by Premier Sails
bury in Grecian Affairs.
THE LOVE OF LIBERTY
Too Strong in the Breasts of
BritOnS.
Lord Salisbury Turns About
Face in His Course.
England Will Take No Part in
the Greek Blockade.

Canstantinople, March 25 The
change in the policy of Great Britain
1oreshadowed in these dispatches yes
terday has assumed definite shape The
recent massacre of Armenians at Tokat
the danger of further outbreaks in An
atolla and the action of the porte in
semi officially pointing out to the Turk
1sh press and provincial officials that
the blockade of the island of Crete by
the fleets of the powers and the sup
port given to the Turkish forces bv the
foreign fleets was a triumph for the
policy of the sultan have had their ef-
feet in showing that the Christians in
Armenia are in danger of externaina-
ton.
Consequently it is semi-oficiallv stat
ed mere that the British admiral in
Cretan waters has been notified not to
send any WarShipS of Great Britain to
take part in the proposed blockade of
the ports of Greece. At the same time
however, in order apparently to avoid
an open rupture with the powers, Great
Britain will acquiesce in the blockade
of the Greek ports.
According to the reports in diplomatic
circles here the powers have already
been notified to this effect, and the
withdrawal of Great Britain from the
blockade is the one subject discussed
today in court and other circles
The sultan's advisers are making the
best of the situation by pointing to the
fact that Great Britain does not con-
stitute the whole of Europe and that so
long as the sultan has the support of
Russia, France, Germany and Austria.
he has nothing to fear from Great Brit
ain. 1t is whispered that France will
in all probability follow the example of
Great Britain. France, it is explained
could readily take this step without
disturbing to any appreciable degree
her accord with Russia, and it is added
would not risk taking part in the
blockade of Greece, which would be an
act of war. without first consulting the
chamber of deputies, whose approval
of the coercion policy is regarded here
as being far from certain.
1t is stated that Great Britain has in
timated to the powers that if Greece
is blockaded, steps should also be taken
to blockade the principal Turkish ports.
This last move of Great Britain in the
eastern game has undoubtedly called
a halt for the present in the cOerciVe
measures, and may, it is said, bring
about their abandonment. In the mean
time, in view of the imminent danger
of a clash on the frontiers of Greece.
which may bring about a declaration
of war between Greece and Turkey,
Great Britain has definitely proposed to
the powers that steps be taken to in
duce both Turkey and Greece to with
draw their forces half a mile from the
actual frontier, thus leaving mile of
neutral ground between the opposing
armies. Greece, it is explained, had
previously made a similar proposal to
the Turkish government, but the porte
consulted with the ambassadors of
Russia and Germany. seemingly the
foremost friends of Turkey at the pres
ent juncture. with the result that the
representatives of these powers advised
the Turkish government to decline the
offer.
London, March 25.-The Marquis of
Salisbury started today for Cimiez,
where the queen is staying. The pre-
mier will travel via Paris, where it is
expected he will have an interview with
NJ Hanotaux, the French minister for
foreign affairs, on the eastern situation
At this interview it is believed the par
ticipation of France in the blockade of
Greece will be decided. His lordship
will not arrive at Nice until Saturday
next.