The herald., 1897-06-14
EUROPEAN COMPLICATIONS

| mai id6SS Al tAC LOy al ldIHlllek
Of Europe are supposed to be for ths
purpose Of assuring concord Of actor
on the part Of the powers. The infiu.
ence of these intermarriages was evi
IDENTIFY relied on by the king of Greece
to help him out of his unequal contes,
with the sultan of Turkey. His consort
is sister to the late Gar Alexander III
and consequently aunt to the present
Car Nicholas II. The crown princess
of Greece is sister to Kaiser Wilhelm II
| of Germany and granddaughter Of
| Queen Victoria. King George of Greece
is brother-in-law to the prince of
Wales, and it was through the influence
of Great Britain, Germany and Russia
that he was placed on the Grecian
throne.
Notwithstanding these marital ties,
Germany took sides with Turkey against
Greece. Blood may be thicker than
water, but in these latter and degener-
ate days it seems not to weigh much as
| against dynastic and political interests.
Taking the side of Greece by Lord
| Salisburys government is something Of
surprise, as Great Britain for the last
fifty years has stood by Turkey and has
prevented the Ottoman government
from being expelled from Europe. The
attitude of Great Britain at the present
time may be accounted for by the fact
that the thunder of Gladstone's elo-
quence has aroused the Christian and
humane sentiment of England, and
when aroused it is more to be feared
than the clamor of money-lenders. and
if not respected, control of the govern
ment will pass into the hands Of the op-
position. Besides this, Queen Victoria
actively interfered in the behalf of the
Grecian monarchy, on account of her
granddaughter. and the princess of
Wales has been energetic in her efforts
to save her brother who is the Greek
king. Queen Victoria is supported by
the powerful house of Argyle, on ac-
count of the marriage of her daughter,
Louise, to Lord Lorne, and the princess
of Wales is mother-in-law to the earl
of Fife. The czarina is also grand
daughter of Queen Victoria, but that
relationship seems to count for nothing
with the czar.
The attitude of Kaiser Wilhelm is
enigmatical He has a grievance against
his grandmother's government, and in
order to avenge himself he is in alliance
with the ancient and perpetual enemy Of
Great Britain. In war with the Brit
ish he would be at an immense disad-
vantage, for his great army could not
reach British territory, and the conflict
would be on the water, where Great
Britain is immensely stronger. In such
contest German commerce would be
swept from the sea, and the aspiration
of the kaiser to make his great COM
mercial nation would not be realized.
If reports are true, a comprehensive
and binding treaty of alliance has been
entered into between France and Rus
sia, and it is to be signed when President
Faure visits st. Petersburg, which is
to occur in short time. 1t would seem
therefore that Germany is in dilemma,
and how Wilhelm will eXtricate himself
is a matter that will tax his ingenuity.
Another question is, will France con-
sent to the absorption of Christian ter
ritory by Mohammedan government
It will be interesting to watch the un-
rayeling of the snarl which the Greco
Turkish war has created.