Evening star., 1897-04-19

warranting the issue Of a proclamation, but
the Americans in Turkey and Greece are so
few in number. and their character is such
as to make 1t unlikely that they will in
volve themselves in trouble.
1t is noted here with curiosity that tire
cablegrams 50 far received are conflicting
war has or has not been formally and off,
cially declared. Consequently it Is diff
cult to decide what the state Of affairs is.
The common belief in diplomatic circles
formal declaration Of war. and it is re-
called that 1t has of late years become
rather the rule than the exception to wage
war actually without a formal declaration.
regarded among diplomats as Of the first
Importance. for the reason that the powers
have given notice that the nation that is
the agressor in the conflict will not be per-
While Turkey may be strongly armed with
evidence going. to show that Greece has
been the agressor. still. If she herself has
been the first to declare war formally,
affecting the judgment of the powers.
MINISTER TERRELL's DISPATCH.
Statement of Secretary Sherman In
Regard to Its Contents.
The Secretary of State issued the folio "
ing statement today in reference to the
cipher cable message received last night
from Minister Terrell at Constahtinople:
The Department of State has received a
dispatch from the United States minister
to Turkey concerning the rupture of rela-
tions between that country and Greece. and
the Turkish declaration of war. Mr.. Ter
rell says that the minister from Greece has
tinople before next Wednesday. He Is not
permitted to communicate by telegraph
with the Greek government. There are
perhaps 10000 men subjects of Greece in
Turkey. All subjects Of Greece are re-
quired to leave Constantinople in fifteen
days. The note Of the porte to the foreign
powers disclaims any desire for territorial
acquisition. The Greek minister informs
Mr.. Terrell that the Greek government re-
Quires all subjects Of Greece of military age
reserved for military duty.
The Turkish government claims that
regular Greek troops seized and were for
tifying Anoltpsis in violation of agree
nent prohibiting 1t. Hence an attack there
by the Turks on the 10th. Turkish troops
are scattered along the border Of Thessaly
and cannot quickly concentrate for decisive
battle. This may enable the Greek army to
fight them in detail"
A beiated cable message from Minister
Terrell. dated the 18th instant. was re-
ing. 1t Is as follows: -.
several parties of troops well armed
nave invaded MACEDONIA though the Greek
government. through her minister here.
says they were not authorized Govern
Heht OF turkey has ordered its troops to
advance on Larissa and its minister to
Greece has been recalled Minister of
Greece here expects hourly his recall"
The Turkish Minister'S Stntmeut.
Ihe Turkish minister. Moustapha Bey
fas communicated with Secretary Sher-
man on the status of the Turko-G -Grecfan
conflict He officially informed the Amer
lean Secretary of State of the termination
OF diplomatic relations between Turkey
and Greece. and of the attitude of offense
which Turkey had been compelled to take
oy reason of the aggressive course of
Greece.
1t was expressly. made known, however.
that no declaration Of war had been issued
Until this official step Is taken the HOSTILE
ties along the frontier are regarded in the
light OF preliminary movements, designed
to secure strategic positions but not con-
stituting war as contemplated by a formal
tihn of war. Until this declaration
is made the United States government ia
not likely to give official recognition to the
existing state of affairs by an announce
ment o. neutrality or such other step as
the authorities may regard as necessary
to safeguarl American interests.
The conflict continues to be the absorbing
topic In official and diplomatic quarters
here. 1t is the strong belief among repre-
sentative diplomats that the actual col
hsions which have occurred on the border
will compel the European powers to renew
with greater energy a long and bloody con-
test.
This move Of the powers IS being awaited
with eager interest by those most con-
cerned, as 1t Is felt to be the key of the
hnal outcome. Up to the present time,
however. no word has reached officials
mere of any action by the European con-
cert.
Protection Of Americas interests.
The United States navy is prepared to do
all that Is necessary In the conditions as
they exist in Greece and Turkey. though it
Is not expected that that will be a very
large task. Admiral Selfridge, the COM
mander of the European squadron. consist
ing at present Of four warships. all in the
Eastern Mediterranean, has been expecting
an outbreak Of hostilties and has from
time to tine advised ths Navy Department
Of the outlook He Is now under general
instructions to look after American inter-
ests, and no attempt has been made or will
probably be made to give precise dircc-
ttons az to his conduct. The movements of
the vessels Of the squadron VIII be left en-
tireiy to his discretion. the department be-
heving that al he Is at the aeat of war he
Is better prepared than any one here to
act to the best advantage
The first sign that the admiral has be-
gun the disposition of his little squadron to
meet the war epoch was the receipt OF a
cabiegram at the Navy Department today
announcing the arrival of, the United States
cruiser Minneapolis at SYRIA This IN an
island in the Greek archipelago. lying at
the foot Of the Aegean sea- and at a noint
almost equally distant from Crete, e here
war has actually been going on for weeks.
Athens and the entrance to tine Dardanelles.
so that IL Is admirably selected in the tudg.
ment of the department" "onicfals as a Dla:e
OF observation and 2 base Of action In
ship may be needed.
The officials Of both the State and Navy
departments, however. have Htfie aprehen-
sion OF the Il-treatment Of American citi-
sens in either Turkey 0r. Greece, which d
regarded as about the only possible GAUGE Of
friction now .Roastbly at. o. later stage in
the war. in the event that the Turks are
defeated. these may be, rfo<tng at Co1stauti-
nople or some Of the larger Turkish cities.
but that b net feared atpresent.
Looking. After Americas lnterests.
1t is believed from what can be unoli.
cially gathered around the White House
this afternoon that the president and Sec
retary Sherman have under consideration
q telegram from Minister Terrell at Con.
stantinople. Saying that American interests
are In danger because Of the Greek Turkish
war. rs-..
Tho pv>eideu< MI, 3.r,x~