New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-11
TrRKEY TO THE FORE.

Tho terms of peace which Turkey is reported
70 have proposed may or may not be adopted
Tbere is no use in specializing upon the posi-
ble decision OF the great Powers. They seem
IN no capable of anything. But the mere pro-
nosal serves two purposes. 1t shows the spirit
of Germany and Russia toward Greece, for, or
course the Turkish plan fully considered
ord onproved Mt Berlin and st. Petersburg be-
fore II was tentatively preached at Vienna; ana
Il shows what a Frankenstein the great Powers
love created by their subservience TO turkey,
end how vastly they have increased the DIM
culties Of the problem which, sooner or later
they themselves must solve.
The spoliation of Greece is what is proposed.
That plucky little kingdom is to be robbed OF
territory. of money, Of her navy and of treaty
rrhts. To the victor belongs the spos is TURK
isb as we'll as Democratic doctrine That Rus-
sin anproves such work is entirely credible;
first because she hates Greece anyway on
general PRINCIPLES: and second. because she has
n mortgage on Turkey and therefore will one
day have for her own all that Turkey now ac-
oujres That Germany also approves it Is not
10 be doubted: partly because the German En-
peror is irreconcilably angry with his sister on
account of her marriage with the Greek Crown
Prince and partly because that monarch wishes
10 UNFOLD the Divine Right of Kings as ex-
emplfed in the Sultan. against the Greek con-
tention Of the right Of people TO choose their
own rulers Russia has declared her unwilling
ress TO create another Bulgaria in Armenia; bur
She has no objections TO making another 70
land in Greece. And Germany is quite willing
10 dot the map Of Europe with Scbleswig II d.
stems and Hanovers and Als3ce-Lorraines
What is most interesting to the other great
Powers-if there be any-is this, that from being
a moribund weaklng, existing only on suffer
ance Turkey has through their own cOddling,
grown to the status of a mighty gladiator. de-
flying if not menacing Europe Hitherto the
rule has been for Turkish territory TO be grad
ually diminished. Now, for the first time In n
century II bids fair to be increased. Turkey
has become growing power bent on fresh con-
quests She casts off the tntelage Of the
Powers. She will look after her own affairs
And she has on European soil nearly half a
million Of the finest fighting men in the world
What wonder the Sheik ul-Islam talks Of pro-
claiming a holy war. Islam has crushed one
Christian nation; why should 1t not 90 on again
conquering, and 10 conquer. as in the days OF
Amurath and Solyman? OF IA truth. the soiu
ton OF the Eastern question will be hundred
fold more difficult because of the victories OF
Edhem Pacha.
Meantime what is Greece TO do? She has
Dot even the privilege OF replying automatically
TO the Turkish demand. She is commanded. un
der penalty of being left TO her fate, 10 abrogate
her sovereignty, and place her interests unre
seryedly in the hands Of the Powers. Probably
she will do so; that is. will have TO do so. Blu,
in SO doing what is she TO expect! She put
herself In the hands Of the Powers in 1884, and
they repudiated their own convention and
robbed her of half the territory they had sol
EMMY awarded TO her. She put herself In the
hands Of tine Powers last year, In respect &c
Crete, and they broke their pledges and be
!rayed her cause. And month ago the Powers
solelDDly declared that the aggressor in this
var should not be allowed 10 gain the slightest
advantage from it; and now two OF them are
backing the aggressor, Turkey. In her demand
for all the spoils of victor. 1t is dreary out