The record-union., 1897-02-14
A Little Spark May Set the Whole
Continent Ablaze.
The Daring Action of Greece in Send
ing Prince George With a Torpedo
FIOtilla to Crete Causes Tremen-
dous FIutter in All European Cabi-
nets - Unusual Activity at the
British Foreign Office.

LONDON, Feb. IS Copyright by the
Associated Press).-An Europe Is
the Cretan fireworks display
with the greatest anxiety, as a spark
may set all Europe ablaze. Everybody
is agreed that the present moment is
the most critical since the Powers inter-
vened in Turkish affairs. The daring
action of Greece in sending Prince
George with a fotilla to Crete has
caused a tremendous fiutter in the Eu-
ropean Cabinets. Telegraphic dis
patches on the subject have been flying
across the continent between the differ
ent Governments and their embassies.
Unusual activity prevails at the Brit
ish Foreign Office. kilograms have ar
rived in rapid Succession, and the Mar
quis of Salisbury yesterday had a spe-
cial interview with the Russian, Aus
trian and German ambassadors. The
Importance of these conferences can
be estimated by the fact that Count
Won Hatfield, the German Embassa-
dor, went to the Foreign Office, al
though he was in such feeble health
that he was unable to meet the eX-Em
press Frederick on her arrival, and had
to be carried up stairs to the Foreign
Office.
The Greek note to the Powers justi-
flying the attitude of Greece towards
Crete is cOuched in such strong terms
as to be regarded in official circles here
as almost tantamount to a declaration
of war against Turkey. The note ac-
cused the Turkish troops Of siding with
the Mussulmans; said that the Turkish
reinforcementS meant a renewal of the
atrocities against the Cretan Christians,
and concluded by saying that it was
therefore incumbent upon Greece to
prevent at all cost the landing of rein
forecements, not only out of sympathy
with, but as duty to the Greek popu-
lation, which has just solemnly de-
clared it's determination to accept
nothing but union with the mother
land
This menacing attitude toward Tur-
key is quite volteface upon the part of
King George, who has hitherto shown
a moderate, pacific disposition, and
there is some speculation as to the rea-
son thereof. The opinion is expressed
that Greece must be able to count upon
the support of some influential persons
and the tolerance of others, and indica-
tions point to Russia as her hacker. 1t
is contended that the close kinship be-
tween the two reigning families must
count for something in the present eri-
sis, and people are asking what passed
at the conference between the Car and
King George of Greece at COpenha gen
last autumn. King George also had a
conference with Count Goluchow when
in Vienna, and it is stated that the lat
ter advised Greece to wait patiently,
and in the future she might reap the
fruit which was not yet ripe. Appar-
entity King George, pushed by the ma
tional feeling in Greece, has been trying
to expedite matters by a bold stroke.
According to advices from Athens, the
excitement in Greece was so great that
the King either had to yield or pack his
effects and leave the country forever. 1t
is stated that King George has admitted
that he had no choice between dethrone-
ment and putting himself at the head of
the popular movement, and it is thought
in some quarters that the theatrical
sending off of his son, Prince George,
with the torpedo fiotilla was intended for
effect only and as a means of appeasing
the clamor of the populace. But dis
patches to-day show that the passions
of the Greeks are thoroughly aroused.
Throughout the country meetings are
being held and subscriptions in the aid
of the Cretans are being raised.
Dispatches from the European Capt.
81 TO wit hJ1f
the Governments fear that if Greese is
allowed to annex Crete an uprising in
the Bankans will occur. and efforts will
be made there to throw off the Turk
ish yoke. All the Balkan States except
Roumania are ready to rise. Mace
donia is eager to fly at the Turkish
throat. There are comparatively few
arms there, although a quantity has
been recently imported. Nevertheless,
this will not prevent a rising, if Greece
is involved in war with Turkey, and the
whole peninsula will speedily be con-
verted into huge cockpit.
This is the reason the Powers now
oppose Greece's annexing Crete un-
til the whole Turkish question is agreed
upon by the Powers Several newspapers
are already discussing the question of
the division of the spoils, and a French
diplomat, Conte De Chaubory, to-day,
in an interview says he thinks the col
lapse of Turkey is now inevitable.
Russia. he adds, will proba bly, take Ar
menia, France Syria and England retain
Egypt Many of the continental news
papers accuse Great Britain of melting
Greece, but they adduce little proof to
establish the allegation. The English
papers generally sympathize with the
Cretans, and urge the Government not
to prevent the annexation of Crete by
Greece According to the Spectator,
the Marquis of Salisbury dare not, in
view of the feeling in Great Britain,
join in coercing Greece. This journal
says: 1--WE do not believe there is any
danger of it. But, in any case, the
British people will not enter upon a
course of crime, even to preserve the
European concert or European peace.
Horror of the Sultan has gone into their
very souls.
Papers publish a list of the foreign
warships in Cretan waters. England has
four battleships and two cruisers there.
France has four cruisers. Russia has a
battleship and cruiser. Austria has a
cruiser and Greece has battleship, a
corvette, a cruiser and six torpedo
boats.
The papers also publish a comparison
between the Turkish and Greek fleets.
1t is announced from Gibraltar that
the British channel squadron is ex-
pected there next week.
The convocation of the University OF
Oxford has authorized the Vice-Chan-
cellor to nominate Bishops to preach