The times., 1897-03-14
A GREAT War MAY COME
The Concert Of the Powers in
Danger of Disruption.
Three Imperial Powers, Germany,
Austria, and Russia, Are Strong
for Coerciye Measures.

Berlin, March 13.-Behind the circular
which Russia has sent TO the powers
proposing that each OF them send 1900
troops to Crete to occupy the island and
compel the withdrawal of the Greeks is
a proposal which has been communicated
here from Vienna, and probably sent to
the other governments, that Bozo Petro-
vich, an uncle OF Prince Nicholas OF
Montenegro, be appointed governor of
Crete, with u guard composed of Monte
negrin troops sufficiently large to maintain
order in the island. The understanding
here is that Russia wants the powers 10
present an ultimatuIn TO Greece within
a week, demandinga general disarmament
Of the Greeks and the withdrawal OF the
Greek troops now in Crete within seven
days, and notifying the Greek government
that If the demands are not complied with
within the period specified the powers
VIII resort To coerciYe measures to COM
pei compliance without further notice and
the suggested mixed occupation OF the
island will become an accomplished fact.
The kaiser is understood TO be favorable
to a resort to extreme measures provided
that Russia Will join In formulating and
presenting an ultiTnatum OF the character
mentioned, and has refused to take part
in the English negotiations upon the sub
ject Of presenting collective note in
answer to Greece's reply to the powers.
The attitude OF the Berlin government is
| that Germany's share in diplomatic action
| in regard to Crete is ended, and if there is
| to be no coercion the German government
will not discuss the Greek notes at all.
Austria concurs with Germany in this
| view of the matter, but Italy and France
| are hesitating, though the belief in Ger
| Iuan official quarters is that they Will
| both Join the German Russian Austrian
| combination, evenif England declines to do
| so. II the debates on the Greek situation,
| which will take place in the French Senate
| and Chamber of Deputies on Monday, should
| prevent France from taking part in the
| concert, Italy may hold aloof from that
! time on. In such u case the three imperial
| powers, Russia, Germany and Austria, Will
| proceed against Greece by themselves. 1t
| is in the belief that the breaking up OF the
| concert of the powers is imminent that
! Russia has brought forward BoZo Petro-
| yich as candidate for the governorship OF
| Crete, and the st. Petersburg government
| must certainly know that Greece will never
| assent to his appointment to the office, as
it would forever blast her hopes Of ac'
| quiring Crete.
So far as the ultimate fate of the island
is concerned there has not been single
word given out by the diplomats conduct
| ing negotiations that furnish the slight
est indication of what the end will be.
| In any event, it is well known that neither
the car nor the kaiser will permit a
plebiscite or any other reference OF the
| question to a popular vote OF the inhabi-
tants OF the island.
The refusal of the budget committee tc
| accept the governments proposals fol-
grants for the construction of two new
cruisers, torpedo depot ship and addi-
tionaI torpedo boats has given rise to re-
newed rumors of dissolution of the Reich
stag and an appeal to the country by the
government upon the question OF aug,
mentation of the strength of the navy.
These rumors are denied by those within
the government circle, who say that th'
Rechstag will be allowed to run to the
end Of it's natural term. and assert that of,
| ficial confidence continues that The Relch
stag viii yet grant the credits required
to meet the outlays for the current finan
cial year
The report, which was in circulation G
few days ago, that Admiral Holman, thu
head of the imperial admiralty, had re
signed, arose from the ministerial diS
satisfaction which was freely expressed
at his frankness and premature discloS
ure to the Reichstag of the true aims .
the emperor upon the occasion of his =
cent speech before the budget committee q
the Reichstag. The subsequent eXplana
tions made tC the committee by Primo
Hohenlohe were purposely misleading, an'
were ntendedto give the Reichstag and u
country time to cool off.
1t is expected that the official dinner
which Prince Hohenlohe and the othe
ministers will shortly give TO the mem
bers OF the Reicistag will afford an OF
| portunity for the ministers to work upo
sufficient number of deputies to caus
the Reichstag TO concede portion, at east
Of the credits asked by the government