The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-03-13
UNDER A VAR CLOUD
The Crstan Question as Viewed in
Ancient Athens.
KING GEORGE MAY ABDICATE
Several Solutions OF the Knotty
Problem Sugsested-Ih he Most
Dangerous spot on tho
Map OF Europe.

copyright lNi by Associated Press,
Athens. March l2.-The Cretan ques-
tton is passing through a period of qui-
escence, "A lull having followed the re-
ply Of Greece to the powers and every
body seems to be wondering where and
when the storm will break out afrcsh
In spite of the repeated assertions made
IN diiierent capitals OF Europe that the
powers are acting In concert toward
Greece, IL Is remarked here that il this
was the case the threatened coercion OF
Greece would have been AN accom-
plished fact long before this. There
seems To be but three ways out of the
present difficulty. The most popular is
that the powers must accept the offers
OF Greece To withdraw her fleet from
cretan waters and allow her army ~
occupation to remain nominally under
the control of a foreign officer outrank-
ing colonel Nassoa To- he used for the
pacihcation OF the island and when
that is accomplished a plebescite shall
decide whether the Cretans prefer AN
neNatlon Ia autonomy
The second suggested solution Is the
coercion. real or seeming. of Greece by
the blockade of the Greek coasts as
well as the island uf Crete. This would
I've a dangerous and difficult task. In
the first place, IL would require an inn
/ mediate fleet of vessels owing Ia Che al
most innumerablc islands composing
the GecIan archipelago to make such
blockade effective. Besides Greecc's
reply to the proposition would proba-
bly, he the lighting Of the fires of war In
Macedonia, the beginning Of IA conha-
grafton which might spread all over
Europe. The most dangerous spot on
I fNI n L. IA.
frontier of Thessaly. IL Greece Is CO.
creed or If she does not obtain the sub
stance OF her demands. she Is liable io
force the hands of the powers and this
might be done In more ways than one.
as II crossing the border. trying To
raise the Balkans and possibly bring
ing about the long contemplated dis
membefment of The Turkish empire
The third solution of this dangerous
and difficult problem is contained In
the renewed rumors that King George
! or Greece may abdicate In favor of his
eldest son, Crown Prince Constantine
Duke Of Sparta, whose wife IL the
Princess Sophia of Prussia. sister Of
Emperor William of Germany. There
are many people who believe that the
kings abdication would be the best
means of clearing up the situation.
While the stand taken by King
George in the present crisis has nm
doubtedly improved his posltIon among
the Greeks, his abdication would he a
popular step as the populace has never
quite forgiven the king for being a for
eigner. while his sons. who We're born
i'm Greece. are regarded AS beInr with
themselves. The crown princess is
known 10 be a trifle Jealous Of Prince
George. the sailor prince. the second
son OF the king. whom Prince Constan-
tine always allows to he brzcketed as
equal with himself. The princess is
said to he furious AT Emperor William
for having sided with the Turks against
her adopted people. Her husband is
much admired and respected. and IL of
retiring disposition and is disposnd
To ignore the shouts of the popula,c.
Prince George. who is or n different
Iemperament. is the popular idol and
many would prefer him To his elder
brother as king of Greece.
In any case the war fever IL appar-
entity subslding. due no douht To the
popular belief that an agreement may
he reached between IN. Greek and
Turkish governments directly for thc
settlement Of The cretan ,l.sfion with
ont the intervention nf tho uowers
This belief however, does not prevail