The herald., 1897-02-21
The Cretan Question Interests
the Public
WILLIAMS NAVAL SCHEMES
Knocked Ia the Head by Lord Sails.
bury's Action
Is Universally Agreed That Crete VIII NO
Longer Dear the Turkish Yoke.
Political Gossip
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, Feb. 20 Copyright, 1S9O.-
The Cretan question is now foremost IN
the public mind and the newspapers
publish columns on the subject Ihe
marquis of Salisbury's refusal to follow
the suggestion of Emperor William ot
Germany and blockade the Piraeus is
warmly praised in Great Britain, anu
his suggestion to the powers that Crete
be granted autonomy similar to that OF
the island of Samoa is well received IN
many quarters as affordinS solution
of the problem, which Greece can az
cept and not sacrifice national prioe'
This proposition, it is understood also
finds favor in Paris, where popular feel
ing is pro-He.lenic.
The continental correspondents of the
English newspapers all expatiate On the
piaue of Emperor William at the mar
ouis of Salisbury's attitude, which OPEN
ly displayed itself in his last interview
with the British ambassador at Berlin,
while Count Won Hatfield. the German
ambassador here, is reported to have
had heated conversation with the mar
qus of Salisbury.
1t appears that Emperor William per-
sonally insisted with the foreign gov
ernments in favor of his proposal. rms
action is stated to be due to his majesty
desire to overcome the reichstags S OPP
position to his naval projects He de-
cided to initiate very active and stern
policy without having ship in the Le-
want The adoption of his proposal 10
blockade the Piraeus would have bean
a personal triumph for the emperor,
and the opposition would have been
obliged to agree to increase the strengt IN
of the German navy in order to uphold
the national honor This scheme, how
ever, was knocked on the head by the
marquis of Salisbury's opposition.
The Turkish government Is uneasy
Mt the powers attitude over this ques-
ton, fearing it might cause breakup
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 indepen-
dent or a part of Greece. The chief dan
ger now is a collision on the Thessalian
frontier.
The news that Turkey has ordered
her fleet to be mobilized was received
with derision throughout Europe. One
newspaper suggests that Turkeys IRON
clads are more suitable for oyster boats
than for fighting.
The newspapers here comment on the
paltry arrangements for state inquiry
Of such Importance as the one being
made by the parliamentary committee
into the Jameson raid. 1t is held in a
small, miserable room, and the pro-
ceedings are altogether divested of dig
nifty The feeling of the public certain
ly appears to be leaning to the side of
n H. tlN,,
will last another four or five sittings.
The inquiry promises to be intermin-
able.
Commenting on President Kruger's s
big claim for indemnity as result of the
Jameson raid, the Speaker says: He
has historical precedent, though it is
neither creditable nor hopeful, in the
claims which the United States ad-
vanced in the Alabama dispute"
The international sanitary conference
at Venice is making satisfactory pro-
gress. 1t was announced today that
Great Britain has agreed to the ratifica-
ton of the Paris conventions of 1885.
DIR. r. Thorne, the British technical del
egate, asserted that the bubonic plague
is less dangerous than cholera. He deo-
recated the terror of the plague, and
urged that no sound basis was yet OBJ
tanned for special action, as in the case
Of cholera.
The Turkish delegate expressed con-
fdence that the measures taken would
prevent the importation of the plagua
through the Red sea.
Regarding the question of incubation
ten days was adopted as the basis of the
sanitary regulations, reckoned from the
date Of departure from a suspected vi.
cinity
In agreeing to the ratification of tha
Paris convention, it is understood that
Great Britain excluded from it's appli-
cation Canada, Australia and Cape Col
ony.
The magnificent Hertford art collec-
tion left by Sir Richard Wallace, the
celebrated English philanthropist to mis-
widow, has now been bequeathed to the
nation by her. The collection is one CT
the finest private galleries in the world
and is only rivaled by the Borghesc
collection of Rome and the Lichtensteiu
collection at Vienna. 1t is valued al
$17, 800 coo, and is now on view at the
HertfOrd house, Manchester square.
The plague and famine in India are
producing a crisis in the Lancashire cot
ton trade. The collapse of the Indian
trade has led to the stoppage of thous-
ands of looms. East Lancashire is chief
ly affected and the employers contem-
plate a reduction of 10 per cent, and urge
that an organized restriction of produc-
ton is what is necessary to meet th5
trouble. IF strike occurs 288, 59S looms
will be idle.
The English explorer, Poulette Wealth.
erby. just back from Central Africa, re-
ports that the village of Chilambo
where DR.. Livingston is buried. is aban-
doned, and urges the erection Of last
| ing monument.