New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-17
TURKS DEMAND THESSALY.
LIKEWISE A BIG INDEMNITY.
A STAGGERING REPLY TO THE REQUEST
FOR AN ARMISTICE.

FUN AN ARMlSllCE
GREECE ASKED TO PAY TEN MILLION TURKISH
rouNps-orHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
TO A CESSATION OF HosTILITIEs-
THE POWERS NOT LIKELY TO
AGREE TO THE TERMS
Constantinople May 1S-The Porte has replied
officially TO the note Of the Powers and declines
to agree to an armisticA until the following
ditions are accepted:
The annexation OF Thessaly.
An indemnity Of 10000, 900 Turkish (S43, $780,
OCM.
The abolition Of the capituations
The Porte proposes that Penipotentiares Of
the Powers shall meet at Pharsaos to discuss
the terms of peace, and declares that if these
conditions are declined the Turkish Army will
continue TO advance.
The demand for the annexation Of Thessaly Is
based upon the fact that the province was origi-
nally ceded TO Greece on the advice OF the Pow
ers with the object Of ending brigaudage and
Greek incursions into Ottoman territory, the
Porte believing at the time that the cession
would attain these objects: but the recent in
cursions Of Greek bands and the incidents I'M
mediatey preceding the war have proved to the
contrary. This is the substance Of the reply
The Ambassadors met to-day to consider the
Portes answer. which is regarded as raising an
extremely grave issue. 1t is believed that rep
resentations will be made to the Sultan per-
sonay to induce modification Of these terms;
but 1t Is foreseen that this will be dif1cult. ow-
ing to the attitude Of the powerful Old TurK
party.
II the Porte should prove obdurate Euro
pean conference is not improbable. although at
present Russia Is opposed to such a step
II Is regarded as quite certain that the Powers
will not consent 10 a retrocesson Of Thessaly.
Even Germany is believed 10 be resolute on
this point. because it would involve a violation
OF the Berlin Treaty and imperil the peace Of
the Balkans.
Altogether the reply Of the Porte has caused
the greatest surprise. 1t appears that during
the discussion of the note from the Powers by
tie Council Of the Sultan's Ministers news
reached the Council that 1000 Greeks had landed
at Palona and were marching to Janina with the
intention of cooperating with other forces from
Arta This created bad impression among the
Minister'S
London May ia dispatch to The Daily
Mall" from Constantinople says the Porte's reply
demands in its concluding paragraph. an extra
dition treaty with Greece. and that the ports
OF Volo and Prevesa be kept open for vessels
carrying food supplies 10 the Turkish troops.
A dispatch TO THE Standard" from Constanti-
nople says:
"The Porte's reply to the Powers is based upon
a. mazbata presented by the Ministers 10 the
Sultan representing that Greece was responsible
for compelling Turkey TO declare war; that for
hod iynnv n
engagements under the Berlin treaty. by omit
ting to pay indemnity. by seizing and conhscat-
ing vakoups or religious domains. and finally.
by invading Turkish soil; and that, therefore,
the Council were Of opinion that Greece had no
Just claim for leniency.
Then follow the proposals upon which the
Council would base peace. The Grand Nizier, In
submitting the mazbata fssured the Sultan that
the Nation was prepared to shed its last drop OF
blood in support of such conditions OF settlement
"The war party threatens to dethrcne the SUI
tan II he shows any weakness, but shrewd op-
servers believe that this is only farce to enable
him 10 pose Eefore Europe as The unwilling Victm
Of his fanatical subjects.
In spite of the great success Of Edhem Pacha,
the Palace spies have expressed their doubts OF
his fidelity and the Sultan has sent a special
aide-de-camp to watch him.
The total area OF 1hessaiv' the hor'herhmos, OF
The provinces Of Greece. which is demanded by
turkey as one OF the conditions precedent to grant
,np an armistice is 5O73 square miles 1t is bound
ed on the east by the -Egean Sea. north by Mace
donia and west by Epirus. After long subsection
10 Turkey Thessaly added to the kingdom OF
Creece I'm 1881 through the recommendation OF the
Powers after the Russo-Turkish War. The sur
face of the country plain, incosed on all sides
by mountains-Pelion and Ossa on the east. Olym-
pus and the Cambunian range on the norI1m, I'm,
dus on the west and Othrys on the south. The soll
is fertile and the land was in ancien; times famous
for its fine breed of horses The inhabitants were
E;oIians, but the Epirotes early invaded and con-
ouered :he country and made the population their
slaves The government was oligarchical but was
often disturbed by internal wars and for thls rea-
SON the histories say Thcssaly exercised any
Influence or the affairs Of Greece II was conqiered
nv philip OF Macedon. and passed from Macedonia
,S,o he hands OF the Romans. Its principal cities
are Larissa Volo its seaport; Trikhaa, and ana' Ia
The total population Of Thessay In 1889 was 3f4oO'
In the present between Turkey ana Greece
Thessaly has been The scene OF the hghlhS between
fhe main Greek and Turkish armies.