Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-25
HOPES TO sacbulaE eREEcE.
PERMITTING RESUMPTION OF AR
MENIAN AfAssACREs.
Result Likely TO BE n Radical Change
of Policy on the Fart of the
Powers-Turks Counting ,-
on War With
Greece.


ambassadors of the powers. and unless
there is "a change in the situation very soon
it is believed that some of the powers
would be compelled by public opinion to
make radical change of the policy toward
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 stern notification to the
porte that further outbreaks in Armenia
would not pass without vigorous action
upon the part of the powers. The immed-
ate result was the calling of an eXtraOrdi-
nary meeting of the council of ministers
at the iildiz 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
gendarmerie of Tokat for not preventing the
massacre and for failing promptly to put
an end to the pillaging of the Armenian
quarter of that city. The mere dismissal
of the two Turkish officials is not consid-
cred sufficient to demonstrate the displeas-
ure of the sultan at the wanton killing of
hundred Armenians, and is further
looked upon as being likely to encourage
additional outbreaks of the same nature.
Consequently, Sir Phillip -Currie has made
fresh representations TO the porte. setting
forth that serious consequences will follow
the failure of the sultan to 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
resented.
Although the result of this meeting of
the ambassadors has not been allowed to
become generally known in departmental
circles here, the opinion prevails that un-
less the ambassadors put forth definite
threats of coercion and efficacious meas
ures TO prevent further massacres in Ar
menia. there is absolutely no hope of i'm
proving the situation, as it has been SO fire.
quently intimated to the sultan that he
attention to such communications. !
In we'll informed political circles it is gen.
orally believed that, if fresh outbreaks oc>
cur, public opinion in Great Britain France
and Italy will compel the governments to
change entirely their attitude OH the Cretan
question. not only towards Crete but in re-
safd TO Greece: which might mean the lift
ing OF the blockade, so far as these powers
are concerned. and their positive refusal to
prlEclPai ports and coasts OF Greece. In
deed, 1t is directly intimated that this prop
osition has already been practically aban-
doned by the three powers referred to, not
only because such "a step is likely to force
Greece into open hostilities against Turkey,
but because the sultan, with true Eastern
cunning. has taken advantage of the block
ade of Crete by the fleets of the powers and
bombardments of the insurgents by foreign
warships and the assistance given to the
Turks by the foreign marines, to place
himself and his government in new light
before the populace here and elsewhere in
the Ottoman empire. An official commu-
niquc was addressed by the Turkish gov
ernment to the Turkish newspapers and
provincial officials yesterday representin,
that the course adopted by the powers in
the Cretan affair was an example of the
success of the sultan in that direction. and
fIrrosif hot fall
powers. with their fleets and armies, in the
repressive measures which he may choose
to adopt against the Christians in his do
mlniCns. This amounts. practically. to in
forming the Mussulmans that they have
nothing to fear from the powers. if they
massacre Christians as the Christian pow
ers are supporting the sultan against his
This has caused a decidedly bad impress
sion in diplomatic circles in Constantine
pie. and gives additional explanation of the
determined stand which the British am
bassador has undoubtedly assumed, as we'll
as showing clearly how the sultan and his
advisers regard the so-called concert of
the powers. They know 1t does not exist.
except as hackneyed term. and they feel
Europe is not radically changed
In the meanwhile, preparations for war
on large scale are being steadily pushed
forward, and the report or possible agree
ment between Greece and Turkey on the
| basis of the appointment of Prince George
of Greece as high commissioner of Crete
=
of an trade calling out for active service
fcrty-four battalions of the reserves of the
| second army corps and also summoninS
TO the colors the whole contingent of 1897.
The Turks believe 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
Eprus when the right moment arrives and
push on to Athens. thus wiping the poor
little kingdom OF Greece off the face of the
globe. This explains the restraint put
upon the Turkish commanders on the
Greek frontier. They have been instructed
not to cross the Greek frontier at present,
| under any circumstances. not even IL at
tackled. The whole blame for an outbreak
of hostitlities must be thrown upon Greece;
then who can forbid the Turks from chas-
tising the little kingdom?
the lin. The wheels of diplomacy are
revolving night and day in the task of
trying to solve the intricate Eastern ques-
ever. from this city looks very threatening.
and the outcome obscure.
London, March 25.-.rhe war war sp correspond
frontier. says that. in his. his opini1n, , the
the raw levies and organize an efficient
transport system. But he adds. the ap-
Of things ao1g the r frontier Ii In
post is held and all the roads are patroiied
by cavalry.
The Times correspondent at Athens says
that all kinds of rumors are current there
as to the expected rupture of the European
concert. The danger of delaying a definits
solution of the crisis increases daily. The
Crown Prince Constantine is expected to
start in a few days for the Greek camp at
Larissa. and the risk of n serious outbreak
is becoming more and more intense.
The report of the conflict between the
Turk and Greek volunteers at Arta has
been officially confirmed. Other incidents
of the same character must be expected.
Neither Greece nor Crete has benefited
much in the past by compliance with Euro
pean beheSts. and unless some visible proof
is given of the complete abolition of Turk
ish rule in Crete. the country Will not be
| legged the reserves will refuse to come out
on a future occasion unless satisfaction Is
obtained now for Greek sacrifices.
The F,Dhemeris. which is obviously in
spired by the court. confirms the statement
that the sultan offered to allow Prince
George TO administer Crete in return for a
payment of a tribute to the porte, but that
the powers stopped negotiations. 1t Is be-
lieved Germany and Austria did their ut
most to prevent such friendly arrange
| ment being carried out.
A dispatch to the Tipnes from Constan-
| tinople says that the Vail or Esseroum has
| informed the government that Two dtVis-
| ions of the Russian army of kars. en-
| day last. On being asked to explain the
| movement. the Russian consul replied that
the sole business of the troops was to take
| precautions for excluding the plague. The
Vail considers this explanation unsatfsfac-
tory and asks authority from the porte to
take such measures as he man deem neces-
sary In the circumstances.
The government has ordered the Turkish
I embassies in Europe to open negotiations
| for the purchase of three ironclads at the
of x,,iti ;nt,a and half M G