The news & observer., 1897-06-06


by the Associated Press.
London, June 5.-Conhicting news is
published about the progress of the peace
negotiations at Constantinople. On one
side the Sultan is said to have adopted a
most unyielding attitude and on the other
hand he is decl red to be showing a
concihatory disposition and that the set
tlement of the questions is disputed is
only matter of few days. The Asso-
ciated Press, however, learns that the
ambassadors at Constantnople are hope
full that the negotiations will be conclud-
ed in about week, in the sense of Tur-
keys acceptance of the peace conditions
proposed by the powers. There is now lit
tie doubt the Sultan has decided to agree
to the evacuation of ThesSaly, and the
Turkish public is being prepared for this
step. The police of Constantinople have
been ordered to confscate the leaflets
which are being circulated, demanding
the annexation of the conquered territory
as duty devolving upon the Sultan. The
war songs are also being suppressed in
order to stife the fanaticism of the
lower classes.
1t is considered probable that the con-
clusion of peace between Turkey and
Greece will be followed by complete
change of the Turkish cabinet as the
palace clique will endeavor to saddle the
ministry with all the responsibility for
the peace conditions.
The Parliamentary committee. which
has been inquiring into the Transvaal
rad, Is assailed by a storm of denuncia-
tlon owing to its decision not to press
the production of the missing cable mes
Sages exchanged between DIR. Rutherford
Harris and Mr.. Cecil Rhodes and certain
parties in England. The newspapers
OF all shades of opinion view this deci-
sion with the greatest distrust, and insist
that the reputation of Great Britain is
involved i'll thorough probing of the
matter. The Daily News publishes a reg
ular indictment against the committee
and asks why the latter has not insist
ed upon the production of the cable mes
sages or of the colonial office anu Sir
Hercules Robinson UOrd ROsmeadD the
then Governor of Cape Colony why Lord
Grey, who conducted most of the nego-
tiations with the Secretary of State for
the colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain, was not
called, any why Mr.. Rhodes was not
recalled and questioned about the cable
messages. The Daily News also cites
number of cases where clues and ones
tions affecting the colonial Offices con-
nectiOn with the affair were not followed
or aslyoH
1.-The committee has been a committee
of no inquiry. Unless it reconsiders it's
decision 1T will cover itself with ridicule
and contempt and strike fatal blow
at the efficiency of parliament"
The most slashing attack comes from
the pen of VIM. II. Stead, who, although
pro-Rhodes, urges that full light be turned
upon the whole matter. He heads his ar
ticle: flushed up" and proceeds in i'm
moderate language to describe the pro-
ceed1ngs as a most shameful conspiracy
which suggests falsehOod to conceal the
truth and mislead the nation, declaring
that the committee is deceiving the public
in order to screen Mr.. Chamberlain. who.
according to Mr.. Stead, fought to have
owned frankly that he winked at the
patriotic but revolutionary enterprise"
Continuing Mr.. Stead says:
Mr.. Chamberlain, no doubt. would
have had to resign, but it would only
have been temporary eclipse. and his
position with the country would have
been stronger than ever Instead of This
honest course, the watch-word seems to
have been given as "lie, he, lie, lie."
Japan has ordered a battle-ship Of H.
600 tons to be built on the Clyde. She
will be a duplicate of the British battle
ship Jupiter. The Jupiter is of ID. 300
tons and 10000 indicated horse power.
Her coal capacity is 1850 900 and she is
manned by a crew of 757 men. Her
speed is to be over II knots and She
carries nine inches of Harveyized steel
armor on her sides.