The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-03-13

reply of Greece to the powers, and
everybody seems to be wondering
where and when the storm will break
out afresh. In spite of the repeated
assertions made in the different capitals
of Europe, that the powers are acting
in concert towards Greece, it is re-
marked here that if this was the case,
the threatened coercion would have
been an accomplished fact long before
this.
There seems to be but three ways out
of the present difficulty. One is that
the powers must accept the offers of
Greece to withdraw her feet from
Cretan waters and allow her army of
occupation tD remain nominally under
the control of foreign officer outrank.
ing Colonel Vassos. to be used for the
pacification of the island, and when
that is accomplished, a plebescite shall
decide whether the Cretans prefer an
neXation to autonomy.
Would Be D.mcult and Dangerous.
The second suggested solution is the
coercion, real or seeming, Of Greece by
the blockade of the Greek coasts, as
we'll as the island of Crete. This would
be a dangerous and difficult task. In
the first place it would require an i'm
mense fleet of vessels, owing to the
almost innumerable islands composing
the Grecian archipelago, to make such
blockade effective. Besides, Greece's
reply to this proposition would prob
ably be the lighting of the fires of war
in Macedonia, the beginning of a con.
fagration which might spread all over
Europe. The most dangerous spot on
the map of Europe at present is the
frontier of Thessaly. If Greece is
roerced or if she does not obtain the
substance of her demands, she is liable
70 force the hands of the powers, and
this might be done in more ways than
one, as by crossing the border, trying
to raise the Balkans, and possibly
bringing about the long contemplated
dismemberment of the Turkish empire.
Abdication the Third Solution.
The third solution of this dangerous
and difficult problem is contained in
the renewed rumors that King George
OF Greece may abdicate in favor of his
eldest son, Crown Prince Constantine,
duke of Sparta, whose wife is the
Princess Sophia of Prussia, sister of
Emperor William of Germany. There
are many people who believe that the
kings abdication would be the best
means of clearing up the situation
While the stand taken by King George
in the present crisis has undoubtedly
improved his position among the
Greeks, his abdication would be a pop
ular step, as tke populace have never
quite forgiven the king for being for.
eigner, while his sons, who were born
in Greece, are regarded as being one
with themselves. The crown princess
is known to be trife jealous of Prince
George, the sailor prince and second
son Of the king, whom Prince Con-
stantine always allows to be
bracketed as equal with him.
self. The princess, it should
be added, is said to be furious at En-.
peror William for having sided with
the Turks against her adopted people.
Her husband is much admired and re.
spected, but he is man of silent, re-
firing disposition, and is disposed to
ignore the shouts of the populace.
Prince George, who is Of a different
temperament, is the popular idol, and
many would prefer him to his elder
brother as king of Greece. In any case
the war fever is apparently subsiding,
due, no doubt to the popular belieI
that an agreement may be reached be-
tween the Greek and Turkish govern.
ments directly for the settlement of the
Cretan question without the interven-
tion of the powers.
Belief Probably Erroneous.
This belief, however, does not pre-.
vail, in diplomatic circles. where it is
said that the settlement can be arrived
at only through the powers. There is
no doubt that the decrease in excite
ment here tends to present matters in
brighter light. for popular clamo1
had deal to do with the defiant posi-
ton assumed by the Greek govern
ment
But there Is no cessation Of military
activity here or at Salonika On both
frontiers troops have occupied strategic
anu aTS
being pushed forward night and day.
The armed peasants on both sides are
the most dangerous factors on the 'front.'
iers A conflict there may occur at any
moment, and then it may be beyond
any human power to stem the tide of
war which has been sullenly rising for
a long time past. The firing upon the
insurgents by the foreign warships and
the later conflicts between foreign ma
rines and the insurgents had had a
very bad effect among the people here,
irritating them to great degree against
everything in the shape of foreign in
tervention in the affairs of Greece.
The calmer minds are counselling pru-
dence, but the situation is almost as
grave as it could be, and Greece is pre-.
pared to make the greatest sacrifices if
driven to desperation.
Refugees Are Destitute.
CANEA, Crete, March l3.-The Mus
! Sulman refugees who have been