The times., 1897-04-19
uoTIFIGq BY nUS7APHA
Turkish Minister Informs Mr. Sher-
man Of the State Of War.
Interesting Interviews With the
Secretary Of Salte, Senator
Davis and Mr.. Hit.
ri -

Secretary the dispatch lie had received
from his government which notified him
that all diplomatic relations with Greece
had been seHered by Turkey ana that the
army had been directed to protect Turkish
interests on tie frontier. The call OF the
minister was longer than the usual diplo-
uatic visits are, ana ii is Understood that
the entiIe conversation related to the crti-
cal condition of Turkey ana Greece.
To Times representative che minister
said yesterday; Il have received no de-
tails of the troubles further than the dis
patch you refer to. 1 am not well in
formed as to present conditions, but TO
me il seems apparent that if Greece per
sistS in the course she is pursuing war
must follow. l am unable to say how the
powers will he affected by war or what
attitude they will assume | can say only
tiIS The Greek troops having, contrary
to the rights OF nations, crossed The noun
daries at several points and opened hos
tilltieS without any provocatlon, anu the
relations OF the two countries being thus
broken, the commander in chleI on the
frontier has heen ordered to take all
necessary steps for the defense of the
Ottoman government and her territory
The Turkish minister at Athens and all
Ott0nan agents in Greece have been re-
called. The representatives of Greece at
Constantin0ple and all the Greek cOnSuls in
Turkey have been requested TO withdraw.
The minister added that today he may
receive dispatch containing more details.
Secretary Sherman received second dis
patch from Minister Terrell yesterday
Both dispa tCh es arei u cipher, andina snuCh
as yesterday was Sunday and the transla-
tor for the State Department could hot
readily be found, the Secretary had to re-
inain in ignorance Of their contents until
today. To a Times representative he said
lBst niGEtas he held in his hand the second
cipher dispatch:
Il do not know OF anything new in the
matter, for l cannot read this dspat tCh.
II is IN cipher, and must wait until Mon
day morning, when the translator viii in
terpTct IT. II Is from Minister Terrell, but
l do not think ii contains news that the
press has not received from other sources.
Il am not surprised a the present Condi-
ton OF Turkish affairs, for the events re-
Gently have seemed 10 make war Ger
tainty This result I have for some time
expected 1t is fortunate that the location
OF the reported conflict is far from this
country and that this government has lit
tie or no concern with it. OF course, we
will observe the strictest neutrality as be-
tween parties, The prevailing conditions
make thi5a natHral resultant willnotnecessi-
tate a specific declaration of neutrality.
The commereial interests of the United
states with Turkey and Greece are very
small. so that there is no ground for
igtt l.urt. "a l.t
ports to Greece last year amounted to only
SG29,727. an Insignificant SUN, barely l
per cent as compared with the tota! eX-
ports. The expqrsso OF Turkey 10 the United
States last year amounted to but $2,G19,-
900, showing a similar lack of important
commercial dealings between this country
and Turkey. Such being the case, our COM
norcial, geographical and political isola
tion from these countries leave us quite
free from any possible ENHANCEMENT in the
war"
In reply to a question, the Secretary
said:
There has been no talk recently Of
having IN American warship in the Golden
Horn, and l see no occasion for any
change in affairs, The information so far
received OF the war in no way changes
the status of our ministers to Greece or
Turkey. Their rights and irnmunitIes are
in no way limited, and their official posi- |
tion gives them asylum against all dis |
order. We can in no way he involved in !
the conflict. except in the profound regret |
our people viii feed that two nations are !
engaged in war.'
gentleman well informed 10 the af |
fairs of the State Department, when spoken |
to concerning the war was not In chned to |
agree with the Secretary in all tfathe said, |
for re asserted THE question of I'll right |
OF ASYLUM is certain to come up. 1t will !
have to he acted upon by the State Depart |
m cnt TO determine whether refugees may
obtain an asylum on American vessels. |
Beyond doubt this matter will create con- |
siderable diplomatic correspondence before |
it will be finally decided. This Govern
ment is well represented in the vicinity of |
the war by war vessels, for there are sta
toned there at present the Minneapolis, a |
first-class cruiser San Francisco. a second.
class cruiser and flagship of the fleet Gin
cinnati and Marblehead, also seCond-class
cruisers. The little gunboat Bancroft is
now at Alexandria, but can reach Turkish
waters in short time
When asked what his opinion of the |
Turkish war is, Senator Davis, chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations,
said "0f course, this Government will
observe an attitude of neutrality and
strict observance of treaties Our inter
ests are so very small in that part of the
world. the war can have but little effect
on us, although it is of great Importance 10
Europe and fear it may be but the first
step toward a conflictinvolving allEurope
Such q result is almost certain unless one
side or the other achieves quick and de
ciStye victory. 1t Is difficult to say how
the great powers will be arrayed when
that crash conrcs, If it i s to be the re-
suit Of the prGenttconfiict.
apparently sRussia has been coercing
Greece, but there are latent reasons to
indicate that eventually she might aid
The European powers bombardng Crete
is the spectacle which has been thus
far the greatest shock TO the world. Greece
has much greater strength than is APP
parent The country has a population Of
/ 500, 200. and this would probably yield
a fighting force Of about 0G, GOO men
The Greek population is very extensive
outside of Greeceu and it is made UP of
loyal, devoted and enthusiastic people.
ut extends AL through Asia Minor. and
into Turkey. Then there are the Greek
colonies in Europe as well as the former
Turkish countries OF Montenegro ana Servia,
which have been very restless and threat
ening oflate. There are reSo urces in these
various points for a very general and I
uprising in behalf of Greece,
even hpyuill her border 1t is This noSS-