The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-25
ABDUL HAMID TRICKY
TURKEYS SULTAN NOT DEALING
FAIRLY WITH THE POWERS.
Warned Again thet Unless Butchers of
ArmeDians Are Punished COer-
ciOn VIII BE Applied.
BRITAIN, FRANCE AND ITALY
READY AT ANY TINE TO BREAK u
THE CONCERT, OF EUROPE.
Situation In Crete and on the From
tiers of Greece and Turkey-Cre-
tan Insurgents Defiant.
Copyright. 1897. by the Associated press.)

Copyright. 1897 by the Associated Press.)
CONSTANTINOPLE. March 24.-The
steps taken by the Sultan to punish the
Turkish officials who are held responsible
for the massacre of one hundred Armenians
at Tokat. in the Sivas district of Asia
Minor and the pillaging of the Armenian
quarter of Tokat for eight hours are not
satisfactory TO the ambassadors of the pow
ers and unless there is a change in the
situation very soon it is believed that some
of the powers will be compelled by public
opinion to make a radical change of their
policy towards Crete and Greece.
The remonstrance of Sir Philip Currie,
the British ambassador, was one of the
strongest ever delivered by an ambassador
concerning the massacres in Armenia, and
was intended for a stern notification TO the
Porte that further outbreaks in Armenia
would not pass without vigorous action on
the part of the powers. The immediate re-
suit was the calling of an extraordinary
meeting of the Council of Ministers at the
Yildiz Kiosk last evening. at the end of
which the ambassadors were notified that
the Sultan had ordered the dismissal of the
prefect of police and chief of the gem
darmerie of Tokat for not preventing the
massacres and for failing TO promptly put
an end to the pillaging of the Armenian
quarter of that city.
The mere dismissal of the two Turkish
officials is not considered sufficient TO
demonstrate the displeasure of the Sultan
at the wanton killing of hundred Ar
menians. and is further looked on as being
likely TO encourage additional outbreaks of
the same nature. Consequently Sir Philip
Currie has made fresh representations to
the Porte setting forth that serious conse-
quences will follow the failure of the Sultan
10 really punish those who are responsible
for the Tokat outrage.
The ambassadors met at the residence of
the British ambassador last evening and
thoroughly discussed the matter. after
which dispatches were sent by those pres
ent to the capitals of the powers they rep
resent Although the result of this meet
ing of the ambassadors has not been al
lowed to become generally known in depart
mental circles here, the opinion prevails
that unless the ambassadors put forth
definite threats of coercion in the event OF
the failure of the Sultan 10 adopt prompt
and efIcaciouS measures To prevent further
massacres in Armenia there Is absolutely
no hope of improving the situation, as IL
has been so frequently intlmated 10 the
Sultan that he must reform that ne now
pays little no attention 10 such COM
munications.
THESE POWERS MAY BACK OUT.
In well-informed political circles ii IS gen-
orally believed that if fresh outbre Is occur
public opinion in Great Britain. France and
Italy will compel the governments of the
countries mentioned to change entirely
their attitude on the Cretan question not
only towards Crete but in regard to Greece.
which might mean the lifting Of the block
ade so far as these powers are concerned
and their positive refusal to take part in
the proposed blockade of the principal ports
and coast of Greece. Indeed, ii is di-
rectly intimated that this proposition has
already been practically abandoned py tne
three powers referred TO not only because
such step Is likely to force Greece INTO
open hostilities against Turkey, but because
the sultan with true eastern cunning; IN mas
taken advantage of the blockade OF Crete
by the fleets of the powers ana DomDard-
ment of the insurgents by foreign war ships
and the assistance given TO the turks by
the foreign marines TO place himself and his
government in an entirely new light before
the populace here and elsewhere in the
Ottoman empire.
An offceiI cOmmunique was addressed by
the Turkish government to the Turkish
newspapers and provincial officials yester,
day repre- senting that the course adopted
by the powers in the Cretan affairs was an
example of the success of the Sultan in
that direction and intimating that he has
the full support Of the powers, with their
fleets and armies In the repressive meas
ureS which he may choose TO adopt against
the Christians in his dominion. This
amounts practically to informing the Mus
sulmans that they have nothing to fear from
the powers If they massacre Christians, as
the Christian powers are supporting the
subjects. This caused a decidedly bad inn
preston in diplomatic circles in Con-
stantinople and gives additionaI explanation
Of the determined stand which the British
ambassador has undoubtedly assumed. as
we'll as showing clearly how the Sultan and
his advisers regard the so-calied a. e. .coneert
ist except as a hackneyed term. and they
feel II can never exist so long as the map
of Europe is not radically changed
In the meanwhile preparations Tor war on
a large scale are being steadily pushed for
ward, and the report OF possible agree
ment between Greece and Turkey on the
basis of the appointment of Prince George
of Greece as high commissioner OF Crete
was followed by the issuing this morning
of a special trade calling out for active
service forty-four battalions of the reserves
of the Second Army Corps ami also sum-
moning the whole contingent OF 1S91. The
Turks believe that war with Greece will
break out sooner or later. and they are
nursing themselves with the belief that If
they follow out the recommendations of the
powers friendly TO Turkey the armies OF the
Sultan will be permitted TO cross the Greek
frontiers of Macedonia and E.pirus when the
right moment arrives and push on TO
Athens. thus wiping the poor little king
dom of Greece off the face of the globe.
This explains the restraints put on the
Turkish commanders on the creek frontier.
They have been instructed not to cross the
Greek frontier under present circumstances.
not even If attacked. The whole blame for
an outbreak of hostilities must be thrown
on Greece: that is the programme. and then
who can forbid the Turk from chastising
the little kingdom? But there are slips be-
tween cups and lips. and the wheels of
diplomacy are revolving night and day in
the task of trying to solve the intricate
eastern question without bloodshed. The
future. however, from this city looks very
hire fan inc ar
The Turkish minister of marine has
pledged himself TO the Sultan to dispatch a
second squadron to the Dardanelles in the
course of fortnight.