Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-04-22
A GENERAL WAR.
Turkey and Greece May Involve the
Great Powers in Hostilities.
The UNITED STATES OUT OF IT.
Secretary sherman Says This Country VIII
Preserve Course Of Strict Neutrality
Opinions Expressed as to the,
European Situation.

WASHINGTON, April l9.-War between
Greece and Turkey means, in the end,
general war in Europe. This is the
opinion of members of the diplomatic
corps, and also of officials Of our own
government. Although chary Of pub
lie expressions Of these opinions, for
diplomatic reasons, a consensus of the
views on the crisis in Europe held
among well informed men in this city
is that the breaking out Of the long ex-
pected war between the great powers
cannot be long delayed. The European
concert will fall to pieces under the
rough friction Of hostilities. For q
time, of course, the powers will en-.
deavor to restrain the combatants.
Their efforts will be directed wholly
to combining the outbreak to the two
countries Immediately involved. But
these efforts, in the opinion Of those
who have studied every phase Of Eu-
ropean politics and who know what
lies behind all the maneuvering, what
games Of intrigue and self.seeking
Turk in the background, will inevita-
bly, result in failure.
The news that war had broken out in
Europe was received at the American
capital with many expressions Of ad-
miration for plucky Greece, and also
OF congratulations to the farmers of
the United States. That the sympa-
thies of American public men are with
Greece is obvious from the expressions
heard wherever the news was cried.
Within few hours the news ran
through all the hotels and clubs, and
many merry dinner party was thrown
into excitement by the dread intelli.
gence that hostilities had actually be-
gun.
II have not the slightest doubt that
there will be not only war between
Greece and Turkey" said an official
whose name and fame would carry
great weight, could his identity be
disclosed, "but l believe the great pow.
ers will within few months find them
selves engaged in cutting one another's
Threats. In the first place, the Turks
will sweep the land. Their armies are
greatly superior to those of Greece.
They are larger and better equipped.
It may seem heresy to say SO in this
country, where all the sympathies are
With the Greeks, but the Turks are the
better fighters. The days of Leonidas
ire over Victory now goes to the
heaviest battalions and biggest guns. i
Turkey is weak on the water, but this
s going to be a land war. In my opin-
on the Turks will be in Athens within
70 days. If Turkeys armies force their
way into Greece, take Athens or threat
n that capital, Europe will be in a |
onvulsion. This is the danger"
Among officials of the United States |
Who expressed any opinion at all, the
ointment seemed general that war be.
ween Turkey and Greece is a matter
n which this government can in no
vay become involved, that what few
itizens of the United States reside in
he countries are in the cities, where
hey are not liable to be molested, and
hat the only course for this country
} maintain Is one of strict neutrality.
pinions vary as to the duration of the
onfict. One prominent officer Of the
avy inclined to the belief that fight
lg would continue for a short time
ntil the powers of Europe decide that
ostilities had proceeded far enough,
hen they would step in and put it to
n end.
Secretary Sherman reiterated last
light the statement he made to the
ssociated press representative that,
lille the government regretted the
sistence Of war, Turkey and Greece
ere so far from us that 1t was mat
n which concerned the United States
ut little. The strictest neutrality, he
sclared, must be preserved. The sec.
,tary had no fear but that the citizens
the United States would be amply
Very few Of them are in
lie cities of Constantinople and
thens.