The Indianapolis journal., 1897-04-11

Little Needed to Set the "Dogs of war;
Barking Along the Frontier.


Barking Along the Frontier.
Copyright 1897 by the Associated Press)
LONDON, April 10.-Short of actual
declaration OF war between Greece and
Turkey. the situation could not possibly be
graver than II is. Tomorrow is the
enty-ffth anniversary OF a day the Greeks
have only too great to remember
with horror-the massacre by the Turks of
10000 of the inhabitants of the Island of
Scio during the war OF independence. The
memory of this, IN connection with the lit
tie the powers have done by their vaunted.
concert. is not likely &c put the Greeks in
the humor to withdraw now, even though
King George and his ministers are sur
prised at the immense army Turkey has
Unexpectedly put on the frontier, well
armed and organized, in spite of her sup
posed want of resources. and may foresee
the futlity of lighting Turkey if the pow
ers are determined, they threaten, that
neither combatant shall get advantage
therefrom. Whether, once the real hShtng
commences, the powers will be able to exc
cute their threat is question or the future.
The danger Of the situation Is the TACT
that Turkey is undoubtedly anxious to give
the Greeks lesson and has only thus far
been prevented from so doing by the influ-
ence Of the powers. The orders which Ed
ham Pasha, the Turkish commander In
chief, received from Constantinople when
the invasion became known were TO speedily
ascertain whether any soldiers Of the regu-
lar Greek army were among the insurgents
who crossed the frontier. kilograms con-
fiict this point, but il may be supposed
that Edham Pasha will not stop to inquire
too carefully If there are, as suspected,
Greek officers among them. The country
around krania and GreVna is very fertile,
well wooded and watered and crossed by
narrow roads or bridge paths, where 1t is
impossible TO move large bodies of troops,
but extremely favorable to guerrilla war
fare. The Turks have an entire division
faf afeV
ma. under the command of Haiku Pasha.
Their positions are much stronger than
those Of the Greeks opposite, and it is be-
Heved IL Will tax Prince Constantine 10 the
utmost TO prevent some portion of his
troops from flying to the help of their
cOmpatriots.
Interest in Crete itself will now lapse.
and should war break out the Greek fleet
will Immediately proceed to attack the
European fleets already there will hardly
suffice TO prevent the Greeks from taking
action.
An ominous rumor received in London
to-day is that the Duke of York. who is a
captain in the royal navy, is to join the
British channel squadron after leaving
the British forces, at Gibraltar. The chan
mel squadron was intended TO form the
mainstay Of the jubilee review put fdr In the the
war ships composing 1t TO take part In the
celebration.
The Duke of Connaught. who commands
the Aldershot district, while inspecting the
Suffolk Regiment to-day, previous TO It's
departure for the Island of Malta, TO re-
place the troops which have been sent 10
the Island OF Crete eXhorted them, unoer
any circumstances. TO uphold the prestlge
of the British army.
concerned the position to-day appears un-
changed from what IL has been during the
week 1t is understood that the blockade
OF Greece hangs fire because some or the |
powers decline to send the necessary war
ships arguing that, as Great Britain pos
Sesses the largest fleet. she ought 10 en-
dure the brunt of the work. Great Britain.
however. is reluctant to constitute herself
the policeman of Europe and to discharge
distasteful duty. This state or ai1alrs ap-
plies also TO France and Italy, and GER
tainly TO Admiral CaHevaro, the ltallan OF
ficer in command of the allied neets. VINO
offered to resign rather than take part In
the blockade. In so doing he represented
the feeling of the Italian nation; but, In
the interest of the concert of the powers,
he was advised to remain at his post. Great
Britain. France and Italy favor CONCESSIONS
which will enable Greece TO recede from her
present position. Russia and Austria ap-
pear TO be rather undescided as to what
course to pursue, but Russia is credited
with the desire to allow the Cretans to de-
eide their fate by pleblSclte.
Germany declines to yield on any point,
and besides she is encouraging Turkey
against Greece, and refuses TO consent 10
the broad scheme of autnomy for Crete
which has been proposed by the other pow
ers. There is a rumor at Athens that Ger
many has at last been informed that, since
she makes no sacrifices. she is not in a po-
sition to dictate If this is true, the con-
cert of the powers may still become some
thing more than a mere name.
In spite of official denials ii is believed
that a treaty of alliance between Servla,
Bulgaria and Montenegro is on the eve Of
conclusion The treaty, however. will re-
quire Russias approval and will pledge the
three states mentioned to defend the In
dependence of this joint territory. 1T was
this news which produced the strained re-
lations between Bulgaria and Roumania,
and led the Bulgarians TO talk of retaking
Dubrudia which was followed by both
Bulgaria and Roumania massing troops on
the frontier.