The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-18
Only a Spark Is Needed to
Involve the Powers
in War.
UNCLE SAM NEUTRAL
No Necessity for This
Country to Be Drawn
Into the Nelee.

WASHINGTON, April 17-The news
of the crisis in the Cretan situation
was the absorbing topic in official cir
cles here tonight. The bulletins were
taken to the White house and to mem
bers Of the cabinet, leading diplomatic
representatives and the chairmen Of
the foreign relations committees in
congress, so that those most Interested
in the event received early informa-
tion Of the gravity which the situa-
ton 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 in preserving strict neu-
trality
Senator Davis, chairman of the SEN
ate committee on foreign relations.
read the bulletins with great interest.
and in response to a request for a.
statement, said: '"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
it IS Of profound Importance to Eu-
rope, and l fear it may be but the first
step toward a conflict involving all
Europe. It is almost certain to re-
suit, unless a quick and decisive vic
tory is achieved by one side or the
other. When the crash comes, If it
is to be the result, it is difficult to say
how the great powers of Europe, each
having vital interests, will be rang
ed. Russia has apparently been CO.
ercing Greece, but there are latent rea-
sons to indicate that eventually she
might aid. The spectacle which has
been the greatest shock to the world
thus far has been that of the Euro
pean 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
greater than is apparent said he.
'She has 100000 people and this would
probably yield fighting force of about
100000 men. But the Greek population
is very extensive outside Of Greece
and it is made UP of a devoted, loyal
and enthusiastic people. 1t extends
all through Asia Minor and into Tur-
key. Then there are the Greek colonies
in Europe, as well as the former Turk
ish countries of Montenegro and Ser
via, which have been very restless and
threatening of late. There are the re-
sources In these various points for
very general and formidable uprising
in behalf of Greece. even beyond her
border. It is this possible spread Of
the conflict, until all Europe IS drawn
In, that gives real gravity to the situ-
alton"
Secretary Sherman, when shown the
bulletins tonight, said: "It is no sur
prise to me- as recent events have
cnn ar6 70 IL
have expected that result to come.
Fortunately the scene Of the reported
conflict is far from us, and the United
States has little or no concern with
the war"
The Turkish minister received the
representative Of the Associated Press
at the Turkish legation tonight. and
read with great interest the dispatches
from Constantinople. Up to that time
(midnighD the minister had received
no official dispatches on the subject
The early bulletins stating that war
had been declared led to expressions
Of regret that the aggressive course of
Greece had compelled Turkey after
eXhausting every means OF averting
war, to take the offensive. The later
dispatches stating that the actual de-
clarat1on of war had not been made
were received with satisfaction The
minister is hopeful that an outbreak
may yet be aVerted, although he fears
that the incursions Of the Greek irregu-
lars across the Turkish border may
compel Turkey to take decisive action.
He is emphatic in stating that Turkey
is exhausting every possible means Of
avoiding war.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Turk
ish minister here has received a cable
gram from the Turkish minister of
foreign affairs at Constantinople. con-
firming the Associated Press dispatches
that Turkey has broken off all diplo-
matte relations with Greece and has
instructed the Turkish commander-in-
chief to protect Turkish interests on
the frontier.
When seen at the legation at 2:90
o'clock this morning Sunday, the min
lister, in reply to a question, made the
following statement to the Associated
Press representative: 1.-THE Greek
troops having, contrary to the rights
Of nations, crossed the boundaries with
out any provocation, and the rela-
tons between the two countries being
thus broken, the commander-in-chief
Of the frontier has been ordered to take
all necessary steps for the defense Of
the rights of the Ottoman government
and her territory The Turkish minis
ter at Athens and all Ottoman agents
in Greece have been recalled. The
representatives of Greece at Constanti-
nople and all the Greek consuls in
Turkey have been requested TO with
draw"
The protection of Turkish subjects in
Athens has been intrusted to the Ger