Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-04-21

recent years mas Createu SUCH Wlue-
spread excitement.
The attempted march of the Turk
on to Athens, every foot Of which
he would crimson with Christian
blood, if the Greek army does not
whip him at the start, will be watched
with intense interest the world over.
He will move, it is true, should he de-
feat Prince Constantine's army, only so
far as their Most Christian Majesties
of Germany, Franz Joseph OF
Humbert of Italy, Victoria
of England and Nicholas of Russia
and the president of France will per-
nit; but he will 20 that far notwith-
standing the protests of civilization.
What is patriotism and right in the
cause Of Greece will be made subser-
Went to the politics of Europe. The
hungry Mussulman may be fed by ma
tions calling themselves Christian with
the possessions of a nation of inferior
on the pretext that these
things are necessary for the preserva-
ton of the balance of power of Eu-
rope.
The Powers, as these nations are
called, are actively, though not more
openly than necessary, allied in the
interest of Turkey. Preservation of
the Ottoman empire, they contend,
while an evil, is IL necessary one if d
check is to be kept upon the ambitions
of the Russians.
Turkey insolently declined to aband-
on to Greece the possession Of certain
portions of Macedonia, which were
ceded to it by treaty. For many
years past Greece recognized, as did
all other nations, that it could count
upon no active aid in reclalming this
territory from Turkey. A portion of
it, Mount Olympus included, appealed
to the patriotism Of the Greek with
peculiar force. National pride was
stirred, and there was formed the
National League of Greece, which was
largely composed of officers of the
regular army. There was no attempt
to disguise their purposes. They
made pretense that their object was
other than the insistence, so far as
they could, their country should have
justice.
In Armenia they had some allies.
There is a community of interest so
far as Turk key is concerned, between
Greece and Armenia. King George
looked approvingly upon the condi-
tions which he could not fail to see
develop. He was not recruiting his
army, but his people were fast becom,
ing proficient as soldiers. The Ma
tional League saw to it that the peas
antry were drilled. Europe looked on
with some amusement at first. II
regarded the movement with little
seriousness, but gradually the tone OF
Greece became so strong and resentful
that the Turk took notice of it.
He did this in his usual way. He
caused an awful massacre of Greeks
and Armenians in Constantinople, with
no other design than to strike terror
into the hearts Of the Greek national
lists. Numerous massacres in villages
followed. Benevolent old gentlemen
in England and elsewhere expressed
horror and resolutions were passed
declaring that the Turks must stop
hut he stopped only when his lust for
blood was satisfied. The powers lifted
their voices, but not their guns.
Greece was not ready for war at this
time. The National League had scarce
we'll begun upon its elaborate plans
1t was year or more away from the
conditions which it desired to create
But the individual Greek could stand
the atrocities no longer. In Crete some
Greek priests melted the people to
rebel, and what at first only was RI
OF has now developed into war
Turkey sought to chastise the rebels,
and then Greece, as nation, interfer,
ed. King George sent his fleet down
there. The sympathy of Christendom
was with the Greeks, and the Powers
hesitated about permitting Turkey to
declare war.
They requested the Greeks to get
out of Crete. The Greeks declined to
20. The Greeks also proceeded to
take every place except the towns
protected by the guns of the powers,
who sent their warships and threat
ened to blockade the ports, so that no
provisions could reach the Greeks.
Then the Greeks sent an army to the
Macedonian frontier. Turkey, which
had been supplied with arms and am-
munition by Emperor William, respon
ded with another. Two or three
clashes ensued on the frontier. Each
side denied responsibility for attack.
Then followed the raids of Greek ir-
regulars, backed by the National
League. Some small Turkish towns
and some good stragetic positions were
captured. On Friday night fighting
began between regular troops on the
frontier. Within "a hours openly de-
clared war followed.
The Greek army on the frontier con-
sists of $4,000 men. The Turks are
said to have 100000 with which to at
tack Prince Constantine's forces. The
Turks are equipped much The better
with artillery, but the Greeks rely on
uprisings in Macedonia and elsewhere
to strengthen their forces and give the
Turks more to think about than d.
rect campaign toward the south.