New-York tribune., 1897-08-03
PRICE THREE CENTS.
WHY ITTAKEs SOMUCH TIME
SALISBURY ON PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE.
THE FRONTIER QUESTION SETTLED. But THE IN
DEMNITY QUESTION HANGS FIRE-A RAD
IcAL SOLUTION OF THE cRETAN
PROBLEM SUGGESTED.

London. Aug 2-The Marquis OF Salisbury.
replying in the House Of Lords to-day to the
Liberal leader, the Earl Of Kimberley. who
questioned the Government as to the state Of the
peace negotiations between Greece and Turkey.
outlined the status Of the Constantlnople ex-
changes OF views. occasionally referring to them
in sarcastic tones. The Premier said 1t was no
wonder that the patience Of many people was
sorely tried by the delay. The compIexity and
multiplicity OF the negotiations. he added,
might. however, account for their length.
Lord Salisbury explained that the peace which
the Powers were trying to arrange was no ordi.
nary agreement between conqueror and .
conquered country. The territory conquered by
the Turkish army was assigned to Greece
by international arrangement. and therefore the
Powers voice In regard to its disposal was
recognized by the Sultan. The latter right
In demanding security against incursions such
as those which brought about the present war.
and for that purpose rectfcation OF tho
frontier on strategic base was reasonable
demand. 1t was also reasonable to hold that
the Greek communities should not be placed un-
der Turkish rule.
The Premier further asserted that Her Majes-
tvs Ministers believed that those questions had
been settled. and that Turkey had accepted the
fro liter line traced by the military attaches OF
the Embassies Of the Powers though the Pre-
mier shared in Lord Kimberley's doubts and
announcements that accomplished facts were
not really so until actually accomplished
Speaking Of the indemnity to be paid to Tur-
key by Greece. Lord Salisbury said: There
comes In the mysterious and difficult question of
the German bondholders. We do not think that
any international duty lies on Europe to provide
for their payment though I admit they have
been long unpaid. The credit OF Greece In the
European market will for long time be exceed
ingly small and some form Of control OF Greek
sources OF revenue Is inevitable. l cannot say
that negotiations in that direction have ad-
vanced very far, and / must admit that the ques-
ton may be a source Of very considerable delay"
With reference to Crete, he said that IT was of
no for the Powers TO attempt TO arrange
form Of government until the more important
controversy had been adjusted. The present at
titude Of Crete seemed TO be favorable TO an
agreement so far the Christians were con-
cePned; but the two creeds were no nearer thah
they had been for many centuries
"The only solution" he said seems to be 20
dig ditch across the island. with the Christians
on one side and the Moslems on the other. our
earnest object is to arrange what has been prom
ised, taking care to be just to both sections. we
are not inclined to admit merely because the
Mussulmans are In the minority, that their Ill
terests are TO be neglected ,
Lord Salisbury said that he fully agreed Win
Lord Kimberley that Crete was in a dangerous
nosition The element of danger, however ala
not arise ne insisted, because the stand was
mixed up in the affairs Of the Ottoman Empire
but rather from the terrible DIVISION anions .he
creeds a division which might yet require
power greater than all the sovereigns OF Europe
to Danish -.
Constantinope, Aug. 2-From present indi,
cations the Powers VIII be compelled to send
another ultimatum to Turkey.
Paris Aug. "a dispatch received mere rom
consta ntinople says that the Ambassadors are
Seternined TO maintain the wording or their
draft Of the treaty Of peace without any change.