The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-03-26
BRITISH BACKOUT
England's Change of Policy in
Regard to Greece and
Turkey
Has Assumed Definite Shape--She
Will Not Help to Blockade
Greece.
II the Grecian Blockade Is Un-
dertaken Turkey Should Be
BlOckaded, Too.

CoNsTANTINoPLE, March 28.-The
change in the policy of Great Britain
foreshadowed in these dispatches, has
assumed definite shape. The recent
massacre Of Armenians at Tokat. the
danger of further outbreaks in Anato.
liza, and the action of the porte III SEMI
officially pointing out to the Turkish
press and provincial officers that the
blockade Of the island Of Crete by the
fleets Of the powers. and the support
given to the Turkish forces by the for
eign fleets was triumph for the policy
Of the sultan, have had their effect in
showing that the Christians in Ar.
menia are
In Danger OF determination.
Consequently, it is semi-officially
stated here that the British admiral in
Cretan waters has been notified not to
send any warships of Great Britain to
take part in the proposed blockade of
the ports of Greece. At the same time,
however, in order apparently to avoid
an open rupture with the powers,
Great Britain will acquiesce in the
blockade of the Greek ports.
According to the reports in diplo-
matte circles here, the powers have al
ready been notified to this effect and
the withdrawal of Great Britain from
the blockade is the one subject dis
cussed in court and other circles. The
sultan's advisers are making the best
of the situation by pointing to the fact
that Great Britain does not con-
stitute the whole of Europe, and
that so long as the sultan has
the support Of Russia, France
Germany and Austria, he has nothing
to fear from Great Britain. 1t is whis.
pered that France will, in all probabil-
ity, follow the example of Great
Britain. France, it is explained, could
readily take this step without disturb
ing to any appreciable degree her ac-
cord with Russia, and it is added that,
in any case, the French government
would not risk taking part in the block
ade of Greece, which would be an act
Of war, without first consulting the
chamber of deputies, whose approval of
. the coercion policy is regarded here as
being far from certain.
Should Blockade Turkey, Too.
I It lis stated that Great Britain has
intimated to the powers that if Greece
is blockaded steps should also be taken
to blockade the principal Turkish ports.
This latest move of Great Britain in
the eastern game has undoubtedly
called halt for the present in the CO.
ercive measures and may, it is said,
bring about their abandonment.
:: In the meanwhile, in view of the i'm.
minent danger of a clash on the from.
tiers Of Greece. which may bring about
q declaration of war between Greece
and Turkey, Great Britain has defin-
itely proposed to the powers that steps
be taken to induce both Turkey and
Greece to withdraw their forces half a
mile from the actual frontier, thus
leaving a mile of neutral ground be-
tween the opposing armies.
Greece, it is explained, had pre-
viously made similar proposal to the
Turkish government, but the porte
consulted with the ambassadors of Rus
sia and Germany, seemingly the fore
most of the friends Of Turkey at the
present juncture, with the result tha
the representatives of these power.
advised the Turkish government to de
cline the offer.
The Turkish squadron, it is reported
has been ordered to cruise in tn,
Egean sea.