Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-14
RussiA,s rAnf IN ruE PLAY.


paper Novoe Vromya that when the
war 10 declared between Greece ana
Russia, Intervention by the Eurofoan
powers must cease, is to he considered
IN ,ial in any way, Russia'A position
Is clear. 1t is then evident that that
Gu Try, notvithslsndlng appeal
ances, il backing King George aud
that tue czAr's government consider
the time favorable for renplng the
fruit Of seed sown in 1895. Early that
year, it will be remembered, R1ssian
emissaries were cent TO Trapezant and
Erzeroum, and shortly Afterwards the
storm broke loose that coat the Ar
msniAns 20 many lives. Russlan
troops were mssse1 on the frontier but
nothing further was done.
Russia's manii u atlons since that
time are Interestingly reviewed by
Bergen's Tidende, a Norwegian ex-
change. That country refused to &C.
cede to tho proposition OF Greal
Britain 10 intervene In Armenia In
order to end the mnssacres. II served
Russia's purpose TO have these con-
tinue until the sultan in The eyes oil
Europe assumed the form OF bloo1'
thirsty nssastin. Then came the per-
iormsnce OF the well known farce OF
Turkish ioiorms. as II the experience
OF centuries had not sufiieienuy dem.
onstrattd the impossibility OF Intro
ducing any radical changes In the
government in lavUr OF the
Christian subjects. From 1873 to
1897 Europe has been entertained
by this reiorm.talk and the
stupid allegation that tue integrity OF
Turkey 10 necessary Tor the peace Of
the world. Everybody knows from
history that tne Ottoman empire re-
pestedly has been reIuced In size,
also for the maintenance OF peace.
But n phrase was needed as basis for
the European concert, and tbs phrase
selected ut this time was the integrity
OF Turkey.
hC $50
oonsummation OF Russla's plans, anu
the row had 10 be started somewhere.
Crete was evidently selected az con-
venient point. Greece was previ.
ously prepared for the act che
had to take In the play. A military
camp had been formed near
Thebs and the fleet was being
put in shape tor servlcs secretly,
and when the CTetan instruction
occurred, u squadron was dispatche d
there with most astonishing expeoi.
ton for power that was supposed T.
entertsin friendly relations with all
the world.
While Greece was quietly rallylng
her war forcap, Russia concentrated
troops near Odessa and the Black Sea
feet was put in shape for action. The
disorders ia Crete in anuary thisyeal
were insignificant when compared to
the events In Armenia and else W here,
but they instantly kindlei fire that
spread throughout Europe. The ou.-
break probably was premature, th'
season for campaign in MacedOnia
not being favorable. European feet
gathered In Cretan waters, tut nothing
was done to stop the atrocities perpe.
trated under the very bows Of the ships
Col. Vassos embarked with his follower
though the a1mirals easily mlghI
have prevented him from doing 50
The Greeks ignored both proulRma'
lions aud shells, and Europe was de.
fed by handful OF soldiers--a fac
that goes far to prove that some OF the
powers secretly carried on al intrlgu,
against the others. Russla's position
was perhaps illustrated In the part he
cruisers took In the bombarimeut OF
the 2lst OF Fsbrusry. rhe Russian
admiral fired two shots, one shell hit
ting little church al Canea anu tn
other falling alarmlngly near an Eng
li,h steamer. It was not the Russia n
who on that day stained their con
science with the blood OF Catholi
nuns.
Looking ut the position Russi
all along has taken, 1t appear
probable that the war now threaten
ing to break out In the L. want reAll!
Is only prelude to the great drama !
which IL is believed Russia is
play the leading role. The iag
must OF last have dhwned III
on the understanding OF th
sultan, for that potepIate Is reported
have assumed friendly aIttuIo Il
wards Greece. But II this theory
correct, the o toman empire, rs Tar d
Europe is concerned, Is pr0baDl
doomed. Il Russia advances this tin
toward Constantinople,s she lie nj
likely to retreat.