The sun., 1897-05-13

v
ArrnnEinE an AraistIce-VeeiInE Tn Athess
That It would Ne BETTER to Fight on Thnn
to Accept Huuiiistins Terus-Three nays
or Rain Have severely TRIED the Greek
Troops who Have No Tents-TurEsy l. RE-
organizing the ProvInecs IN Thessaiy-Great
Excitement In Crete Over the Recall
OF the Greek ssidiers A Greek Ter
pedo Boat Captures . Turkish VesssL
Special Cubic De,patcAes to THE srS
LONDON, May 12.-Thc question which is real
ly the key and the tost Of the whole Eastern
situation was raised to-day at Constantiropla
when the Ambassadors submitted to the Sultan
| percmptory demand that he direct q cessation
OF hostilities In order that peace nego
tiations could be undertaken. There is grave
| fear in diplomatic circles that the Sultan will
prove stif necked and that he will resist all
serious attempts at European control. The be-
lief is growing that the effect OF the easy Turk
ish victories will be increase the difficulty Of
the whole Eastern problem.
Pessmistic reports from Constantinople and
| Paris assert that hope is almost gone of reduc-
ing the Porte even to the partial pliability
| which 1t displayed before the war. 1t is be-
| lieved that the scheme OF reforms for tho
Ottoman Empire which agreed to in
December must be wholly abandoned. The
agreement between Russia and Austria will not
much improve the situation, because the atti-
tude of France is becoming more philo-Greek in
sympathy with England. The Sultans reply TO
the demand OF the powers for an armistice had
not been received at a late hour tonight.
Dispatches from Athens show that tho feeling
there wavers between unessiness because of the
delay in receiving the reply and optimism based
upon the hitherto peaceful attitude OF the Otto
man troops. which suggests that Edhem Pasha
has already been instructed to hold them In
hand.
| The Constantinople correspondent of the
! Standard. adhering to the pessimistic view.
declares that the proposal for armistice is
far from palatable to the Turks who fear that
they will be deprived of the fruits of their vio-
tory. He adds that, in view Of the excited state
OF public feeling. 1t is to be hoped that the pow
ers are prepared for the possibility OF having 70
enforce their demands.
Hitherto Russia alone has been in q position
to act promptly. 1t is no secret that abe has
| 100000 troops. armed and equipped, on the
shores OF the Black Sea, and that transports are
ready to land them anywhere in thirty-six hours.
/ At the time Russia does not pretend to
| conceal her anger with Greece, or her intentioa
to refrain from compelling the Turks to evaoa-
ate Thessaly.
| The TeleUrn nh Con lat tinOple corresn0ndant
! says that the attitude Of the Sultan shows TO
sentiment against the powers for intervening.
and that unless he is allowed to treat with
Greece directly he is likely to be exacting in his
| demands.
! The Athens correspondent Of the Times says
that owing to the delay in arranging an armis-
tice the Greek Government to-day addressed
strong representations to the diplomats repudi.
ating responsibility in the event OF further
bloodshed. which might be attended by serious
complications
Prime Minister Ralli informed the correspond
dent that the Government was in a serious
predicamcnt, having made large sacrifices, CO.
pecially in accepting auton omy for Crete. which
| neither Great Britain nor Russia demanded.
1t had thus compromised itself in the eyes Of
both the Greeks and Cretans without obtaining
positive guarantee that Turkey would consent
| to an armistice. should the war be continued
the position OF the Government would be most
unenviable. Meanwhile the continued absence
OF kilograms from Gen. smolenits causes much
| anxiety.
\ despatch to the Chronicle from Athens,
| sent at a late hour tonight says that the Gov.
ernment has reason to be dissatisfied with the
Information it received tonight respecting the
tendency OF the situation in diplomatic quarters.
and that there is growing opinion that it would
be better to continue the struggle than to sub
init to terms wounding the national honor.
Some OF the powers are inclined TO favor the
payment by Greece OF small indemnity. recti-
fcation OF the frontier in favor OF Turkey. and
| a limitation Of the Greek fleet. Greece, the
correspondent declares would never accept this.
He remarks that the wording OF the joint note
reserves to Greece the right TO reject
the terms that the powers shall decide upon. and
says that the Government insisted upon the en-
ployment OF the word "intrust," instead Of
abandon in reference 10 handing its interests
to the powers.
In an interview to-day Sir Charles Dixie MP,
who is generally accepted authority on
foreign affairs, said that he had great confidence
in King George of Greece. who was one Of the
ablest statesmen living. Greeces interests, Sir
Charles added, would be better cared for In his
hands than in the hands Of his Ministers. More
over the King was on good personal terms with
the Sultan.
A despatch to the Daily Neus from Dhomoko,
the present headquarters Of the Greek army In
Thessaly, says that three days rain has
greatly tried the troops, whose tents and blAn-
kets abandoned In the flight from
the frontier. The fresh reserves from
Athens are wearing summer uniforms and have
no overcoats to protect them from the inclem-
enCy OF the weather. The men are hollow-eyed,
and coughing is heard ali over the camp. Never
theless their spirits high. and all are burn
ing to purge themselves OF the reproach offight-
Dispatches received here this morning from
! r. L.