Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-08
DEMANDS PEACE ON HIS OWN TERMS
OR NOT AT ALL.
WAR LIKELY TO BE RESUMED.
TURKS sTRENGTHENING THEIR PO-
sITIONs IN THEssALY.
Sultan Says IL No Concessions Are
Made by the Powers Within q
Few Days He VIII Order
an Advance on
Athens.

London, July 7.-Graeco-Turkish affairs
appear to be re-entering an interesting
stage. To-day, the porte dispatched cir
cular TO its representatives abroad con-
tanning a skillfui defense of the Turkish
case and declining to consider any from
tier line in Thessaly north of the river
Penios. which it regards as its natural
boundary. II appears that the sultan has
convinced himself that the powers will not
resort to coercion, and has decided 20 test
the alleged concert of Europe to the ut
most.
On Monday, he summoned council Of
ministers for. an extraordinary sitting to
the Yidiz kiosk. with the result that, eft
er a heated discussion, a report was drawn
up in favor of resuming hostilities IL peace
should not be concluded within a week
The minister OF war sent kilograms to
Edhem Pasha announcing the decision.
This aecords with all the news received
for the last ten days. The Turks are rap
idly strengthening their positions in Thes-
sally. massing troops at Dhomoko. fortify-
ing Velestino and in other ways intrench-
ing themselves more firmly. The Thessal-
ian harvest has already been reaped by
the Turkish soldiers. and large quantities
Of grain have been stored at Elassona.
According 10 a circUmstantial report OF
a conversation between the sultan and an
officer Of his household. Abdul Hamid COM
planned that the war had been forced upon
him. and that when he was victorious Eu-
rope refused him either territory or in
demnity. Therefore, he intended to resist
to the utmost.
He said: I'VE have nothing to fear The
six powers failed 20 coerce Vassos and his
2.0p0 adventures. What can they do against
10000 victorious troops in Roumania?
''Supposing they wished to cOerce me,
who would undertake the task? / have
information from all the capitals of Eu-
rope indicative of the indecision of the
powers.
''Edhem was a fool not TO have surround
ed the Greek army and to have advanced TO
Athens. but he may be there yet. II no
concessions are made. within few days.
shall give the order TO advance We can
dictate our own terms from the Acropolis.
Everything is ready for immediate action"
According to this report. the sultan dis
cussed the possibility OF Russia and Ger
many attempting coercion and declared
that he was entirely ready to meet them
both.
The foregoing may he. perhaps. only a
bluff. and il is even alleged I'm some QuaP-
ters among others by the Italian admiral
Canevaro. at Crete, that peace is actually
In view But II is significant that General
Smelenski had long conferences with King
George and that Rail- will start for Their
mopylae Tomorrow TO assume the COM
mand OF the first division.
The distress OF Greece and the stagna-
tion OF trade and industry have become
very serious.
In Crete. there are signs of continued un-
rest. The Mohammedans OF Gambia are
preparing TO attack the wealthy Christian
town Of Archanes
Constantinople. July Russia has sent
circular note TO the powers suggesting that
steps be taken TO expedite the conclusion
OF peace between Greece and Turkey. This
action upon the part OF Russia is regarded
here as being OF the greatest importance,
and as indicating that Russia desires TO
forestall a similar proposal upon the part
OF the other powers
Both the palace and the Turkish ministers
were Immediately informed Of RussIa's &C
ton.
The German ambassador here. Baron
SaUrma Won Jeltsch. has received fresh and
precise instructions to insist upon Turkeys
acceptance of the strategic frontier pro-
posed by the powers.