The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-18
THIS COUNTRY,s ATTITUDE.
Talks with Secretary of State Sher-
man, Senator Davis and Mr.. Hit.

man. Senator Davis and Mr.. Hit.
| WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE news of
| the crisis in the Cretan situation was the
absorbing topic in official circles here to-
night The bulletins TO the Associated
Press were taken to the White House and
TO members of the Cabinet, leading diplo-
matic representatives, and the chairman of
! the foreign committees in Congress- so that
those most interested in the event received
early information of the gravity which the
| situation has assumed. The expressions
were general that the United States could
| not be drawn into the conflict, and that the
| course of this country was plain i'm preserv-
ing strict neutrality. 1t was felt on all
| hands among officials that the real gravity
of the announcement was in the prospect
| that 1t would serve as the spark to start
the confiagration through all Europe.
Secretary Sherman was seen at his resi-
dence and shown the bulletins 1T is no
| surprise to me-" said the secretary of state
''as recent events have seemed to make war
inevitable and l have expected that result
to come. Fortunately the scene of the re-
ported conflict is far from us, and the
| United States has little or no concern with
| the war. We will, of course observe the
! Strctest neutrality as between the parties
| This is a natural result from the conditions
prevailing and will require no specific dec
laration of neutrality. Our commercial in
| terests with Greece and Turkey very
| small, so that there Is no ground for dis
| turbance in that connection. Last year
| our exports to Greece amounted to only
s629, I27 an Insignificant sum, barely / per
| cent, as compared with the total exports
Turkey exported to the United States
$2619,OOO last year, showing "a similar lack
or important commercial dealings between
| the United States and Turkey That being
| the case our commercial, geographical ana
political isolation from these countries
| leaves us quite free from any possible en-
| tanglement in the conflict"
Mr.. Sherman's attention was called TO the
| reports some time since that the United
States war ship Bancroft might be sent
| as guard ship to the United States min
lister. Mr.. Terrell, at Constantinople, and
| likely to renew the occasion for a war
ship in the Golden Horn. There has been
see SEE non no occasion % for % any any change ss h in air f
| The news tonight in no way changes the
status Of our ministers TO Turkey or
in no way limited, and their official posi-
ton gives them asylum against all dis
| people will feel that two nations are in
volved in war, we can be in no way in
volved in the conflict
committee on foreign relations, read the
bulletins with great interest, and in re-
THE attitude of the United States will. of
course, be one of neutrality and a strict
observance Of treaties The war can have
little direct effect on us as our interests are
so small in that part of the world. But IL
Is of profound Importance to Europe. and
l fear it may be but the first step toward
conflict involving all Europe. 1t is al
most certain to result unless a quick and
decisive dec victory is achieved by one side or
the other. When that crash comes, If il
is to be the result, 1t is difficult tossay how
the great powers of Europe, each having
vital interests, will be ranged. Russia has
apparently been coercing Greece but there
are latent reasons to indicate that eventu-
ally ally she, she might mig aid The spectacle which
thus far has been that of the European
| powers bombarding Crete"
Mr.. Davis was asked if Greece had the
material resources TO carry on an energetic
| war THE strength of Greece is much
sgea5er @ foo than TN is appaarept pa mt said he she
yield a hghting force of about 100 900 men
But S,s,d the G Greek population is very extensive
| devoted, loyal and enthusiastic people II
extends all through Asia Minor and into
in Europe as We'll a are b the Geek
! countries OF Montenegro and Servia which
have been very restless and threatening of
late There are the resources in these va
| rious points for very general and for
midable uprising in behalf of Greece. even
spfead Of the coact until al ahIs Erona R9Ssi0is s
drawn IN. that gives real gravity to the
| house committee on foreign affairs during
| the last Congress. and the undoubted chair
| m3n OF the new committee, read the early
| dispatches from Constantinople and then
commented briefly. on the situation. I'm
| the event of war" said he. the duty of
| the United States will be plain TO maintain
| neutrality and see that our treaty obliga-
| tions are maintained The sympathy of
our people will be with Greece in this strue-
/ gle. Compared with Turkey. she Is weak i'm
| military resources. But the Greeks are
| strong beyond their border. and there is a
| large Greek population within Turkey
| Moreover, the mountainous character OF
| the country is Well calculated to assist in
4 q defensive warfare. Our people, while
| sympathizing with the disparity OF Strength
| or the parE of Greece can only hope that
| her cause will appeal to the strong powe.s
| OF Europe and that France and Great Brit
/ ain will come TO her rescue. In the event
| of war one of the effects will be to in
| crease the demand for our export products
| Another effect, doubtless will be To create
| stringency in the European money mar
| kets with a tightening on American securi-
| ties. Directly, however. the United States
could not be affected IL a declaration of
| results
Refused tn BOmbard Cretans.
LONDON. April ia dispatch to the