Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-20

citizens in either Turkey or Greco
which is regarded as about the only pcs
sible cause of friction now. Possibly, a
a later stage of war. in the event thai
the Turks are defeated. there may b.
riotng at Constantinople or some Of the
larger Turkish cities, but that is no'
feared at present.
TURKEYS POSITION.
The Turkish minister, Moustapha Bey,
has communicated with Secretary Sher-
man on the status Of the Turko-Grecian
conflict. He officially informed the Amerl-
can Secretary Of State OF the ter
mination Of diplomatic relations be-
tween Turkey and Greece, ana OF the
attitude of offence which Turkey had
been compelled to take by reason OF the
aggressive course of Greece IL was eN-
pressly made known. however, that no
declaration of war had been Issued. Un-
iii this official step is taken, hostlltes
along the frontier are regarded IN 'ir
light OF preliminary movements, designed
10 secure strategic positions. but not con-
stituting war. as contemplated by a for
nal declaration Of war Until this decia-
ration is made the United States Gov
ernmcnt is not likely to give Official recog-
milton TO the existing state OF analrs
by q notice of neutrality, or such other
stem as the other authorities may deem
proper TO guard American interests.
1t has been suggested that the President
nrohablv will be called upon TO issue
proclamation of neutrality, now that war
has begun between Turkey and Greece.
The officials have Cooked into the pre-
cedents i'm such cases. and have concluded
that the conditions at present do not
rcouire the issue Of such notice.
of "a
tion is TO guard American citizens against
the consequences of infractiOn Of the neu-
trality imposed upon nations not party
to war 1t does not directly concern
either of the belligerents. but is intended
TO warn American citizens that If they
esDouse the cause of either comDatant
they will absolve their own country from
extending protection to them. CondltioAs
NAV arise later on. ii is said at the State
DEPARTMENT. warranting the issue OF
proclamation. but the Americans
Turkey and Greece are so few I'm numoer
and are Of such character as 70 make
unlikely that they VIII Involve them
selves in trouble
NO DECLARATION OF WAR.
II is noted here with curiosity that the
cablegrams so far received are so con-
eictinr ON one point-namely whether
aciallv declared-that it is not yet possi-
bIe 10 decide what the state Of affairs is.
common belief in diplomatic circles is
met there has been no such thing as
fornoer declaration Of war, and IL is re-
called that of late years 1t has become
rather the rule than the exception 10
,yaco war actually without a formal dec
laration.
In the present case, however, the fact
&c regarded among diplomats as or the
erst Importance. for the reason that the
powers have given notice that the ma
tion that is the aggressor In the conflict
viii not be permitted 10 reap the adVan-
.aoe from a war. While Turkey may
ho atronely armed with evidence going
10 show that Greece has been the aggres-
sor stll. If she herself has been the
0rst 10 declare war formally that iact
,,,,st have technical weight IN anectnS
the Judgment OF the Powers.
TSe president IS taking an active IN
.o,ost in the struggle between the
creeks and Turks, and is being constant
tv advised by the Department OF State
os TO the latest developments IN the war.
He wishes 10 ensure the adoption or all
r-onor and usual precautions for the uro-
tection OF American Interests IN the VI d.
,e,ronean Senator Sherman came 10
he white House this afternoon, and the
president he'd conference with his
premier on the subject. II may be that
In a short time some question wi arise
that Will involve action Of some sort on
our mart. arising perhaps from atfeTp's
by both Turks and Greeks TO blockade
each others ports. whlch possibly might
interfere with the introduction Of some
American products but at present this
IS a remote contingency.
PROTECTION OF GREEKS.
None Of Minister Terrelrs cablegrams
so far received verify the assumption
fnat he has undertaken the protection
OF Greeks resident in Turkey, and 1t is
now believed that the tasis was mis-