The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-18
CAN'T DRAW IN THIS COUNTRY.
WASHINGTON VIEWS ON THE TUR-
NO-GRECIAN WAR.


Our Commerce with the BeIliser-
ents Not Important Enough to En-
danger COmpIicatiOns-The COun-
try to Maintain an Attitude of
Strict NcutraIity-Grave Danger
That All Europe May he Dragged
Into the Conflict.
Washington, April 1.-THE news of the
crisis in the Cretan situation was the alb
sorbing topic in official circles here to-
night. The bulletins to the Associated
Press were taken to the white house and
to members of the cabinet leading diplo-
matte representatives, and the chairman
of the foreign committees in congress. so
! that those most interested in the event
received early information of the gravity
which the situation has assumed.
The expressions were general that the
United States could not be drawn into the
| conflict, and that the course of this coun-
try was plain in preserving strict neu-
| trality
1t was felt on all hands among officials
that the real gravity of the announcement
was in the prospect that it would serve
as the spark to start the confagration
through all Europe.
| Secretary Sherman was seen a his resi-
dence tonight and shown the bulletins.
ut is no surprise to me-" said the secre-
tary of State, ''as recent events have
seemed to make war inevitable, and 1
! have expected that result to come. Fortu-
nately, the scene of the reported conflicts
are from us, and the United States has
little or no concern with the war. We will,
| of course observe the strictest neutrality
| as between the parties. This is a natu-
raj result from the conditions prevailing
and will require no specific declaration of
| neutrality. Our commercial interests
with Greete and Turkey are very small,
SO that there is no ground for disturb
! ance in that connection. Last year our
| exports to Greece amounted to only $685.
727, an insignificant sum, barely per cent,
| as compared with the total exports Tur-
| key exported to the United States $685.
| coo last year, showing a similar lack of
| important commercial dealings between
! the United States and Turkey. That be-
| ing the case our commercial and geo.
graphical and political isolation from
| these countries leave us quite free from
| any possible ENHANCEMENT in the con-
| fict."
Mr.. Sherman's attention was called to
| the reports some time since lndL An6
| United States warship Bancroft might be
sent as a guardship to United States Min
! lister Terrell at Constantinople, and the
| secretaEY was asked If the war was likely
| to renew the occasion for a warship at
the Golden Horn.
There has been no talk of that of late"
| said he "and / see no occasion for any
| change in affairs. The news tonight in
no way changes the status of our minis
| ters to Turkey or Greece. Their rights
and immunities are in no way limited al
all and their official position gives them
asylum against all disorder. Except in
| the profound regret our people will feel
that two nations are involved in war, we
can be in no way involved in the con-
| flict."
Senator Davis, chairman of the Senate
| committee on foreign relations, read the
| bulletins with great interest and in re-
| sponse to a request for a statement said:
] ''The attitude of the United States will, of
| course, be one of neutrality and a strict
| observance Of treaties. The war can have
| little direct effect on us as our interests
| are so small In that part of the world. But
| it is of profound Importance to Europe.
and l fear, it may be but the first step
| toward a conflict involving all Europe 1t
| is almost certain to result unless a quick
| and decisive victory is achieved by one
| side or the other When that crash comes,
| If it is to be the result, it is difficult TO say
/ now the great powers OF EUROPE cdcH nav
| ing vital interest, will be ranged. Russia
| has apparently been coercing Greece, but
| there are latent reasons to indicate that
| eventually she might aid. The spectacle
which has been the greatest shock to the
| world thus far has been that of the Euro
pean powers bombarding Crete"
Mr. Davis was asked If Greece had the
material resources to carry on an ener-
| gedc war.
"The strength of Greece is much greater
than Is apparent" said he. 'She has
| 100000 people, and this would probably
| Weld a fighting force Of about 100000 men.
| But the Greek population is very extensive
! outside Of Greece, and it is made up of
| a devoted loyal and enthusiastic people.
| II extends through Asia Minor and into
| Turkey. Then there are the Greek colo
nies in Europe, as well as the former
| Turkish countries Of Montenegro and
Servia, which have been very restless and
threatening of late. There are resources
| in these various points for a very genera
and formidable uprising in behalf Of
| Greece even beyond her border. II is this
possible spread Of the conflict. until al
| Europe Is drawn in, tha gives real gravity
| to the situation"
The Turkish minister Moustapha Bey,
| received the representative OF the Asso-
| ciated Press at the Turkish legation to-
! night and read with great interest the
| dispatches from Constantinople. Up to
that time (midnighD the minister had re-
| celved no Official dispatches on the sub
| iect. The early bulletins, stating that war
| had been declared, led 20 expressions of
/ regret that the aggressive course Of
| Greece had compelled Turkey. after ex-
| hausting every means Of ayerting war,
| to take the offensive. The later dis
patches stating that the actual declara-
tion of war, had not been made, was re-
| eeived with satisfaction. The minister Is
hopeful that an outbreak may yet be
| avoided although he fears that the incur
/ slons OF the Greek irregulars across the
! Turkish border may compel Turkey 70
| take decisive action. He is emphatic In
/ stating that Turkey Is exhaustlng every
/ possible means OF averting war.