The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-15
GERMANY DISPLEASED
Because England Hesitates to Help
Out the Sultan.
AND ASSIST IN ANNIHILATING
ARMY OF KING GEORGE.

Berlin, Salisbury VIII Be Responsible
Austria, Russia and Germany Likely to
| Apply Coercive Measures ON Their
Own Account.
| Berlin, March 14.-Should the coercive
measures taken by the Powers against
Greece result in general European war
the initial blame, according to public
and official opinion here will fall upon
England. Every step In the critical
negotiations which have been and are
still proceeding has been rendered unoer-
tain by the validating, il not opposing
course of action taken by Lord Salisbury.
If the proposals of the Russian aad
German governments, made three weeks
ago, to blockade the coast of Greece. had
been acceded to By the English premier.
the dangerous Developments of the
presens time could never have occurred.
So the official papers in Berlin reason,
and liberal politicians in full sympathy
| with Greece, think likewise. The stimuli
taneous presence Of the allied squadrons
in the Piraeus, their control Of the move
ments Of the Greek warships In the
Aegean sea, and on the coast of Crete
would have restrained the popular de-
monstrations at Athens and elsewhere,
which have done SO much to force the
hands Of King Georges government.
There are those behind the scenes who
say that from the outset of the Greco
Cretan crisis, the pretended participation
of ho Go1io oh11rv aor,f hoa n
blind, and King George up to a late
point In thu diplomatic contest was led
to believe that eventually the influence of
Great Britain would square the situation
in favor of Greece The influence Of the
Danish royal family. with its offshoors
in England and Russia, is known to have
teen at work, and it is believed to have
operated with success where lest sus-
pected. The dowager Czarina, who got
credit for almost supreme power In the
| Czar's councils, has failed to alter the
understanding between the Kaiser ard
Gear, though she has had the active CO.
operation of Queen Victoria, who has
strong sympathies with Greece and an
ardent detestation of the Turks. Neither
the hand of the ex-Czarina, nor that of
the Queen, can be made visible In the
game of diplomacy that is now being
played. but it Is known here that both
have been supporting King George, and
it is believed that to the Queens inter-
ference much Of Lord Salisbury hesitat-
ing policy is due. But for Russia the
Balkan peninsula would how be in ablaze
and Austria ana Russia would bs
mobilizing troops for war.
There is absolutely reliable informa-
tion that Servia, Bulgaria and Montenegro
have concluded an alliance which affects
not only Turkey but the claims Of Greece
and the aspirations of Austria. Un-
doubtsdly the whole Of the triple under
standing is perfectly we'll known to the
Russian government and was connived
at, If not inspired by Russia. With the
reconciliation of Prince Ferdinand to the
Czar and the return of Bulgaria to
Panslavism the Eobstacles ins the way of
an alliance Of the Balkan states, under
Russian protection, have disappeared and
an entire entente achieved. 1t depends
upon Russia to let the dogs of war slip
from the leash.
Up to the present time the whole policy
of the Gear is to restrain them, and If
they are let loose tho profound conviction
here is that the consequent general en-
broilment of the Powers will be largely
due to England's policy.
There Is not shadow of foundation
for the current repSrt that officers have
left or are leaving Germany to take ser.
vice in the Turkish army.
Private letters received from Salonica
and Monastir state the mobilization is
only partial and proceeds with great
difficulty. Clothing for the troops is
badly needed. Their provisions are
soanty and the commissiriat is disor-
ganized. There is a scarcity of horses for
the artillery, and things are generally in
confusion. But Ill trained and i'll fed as
they are. the troops will fight.
German officers estimate the Turkish
effective at Elasona, M0nastir and
Janina, with detaohments close to the
Greek frontier at II, 600 men. II this
estimate is near the truth such force
could sweep over Greecs, II numbers
count for anything.
The spirit Of the Greek army is splen-
did, but late accounts give bad reports as
to the reserves, who are as yet merely
moi.
The governments of England and
France have not given assent to the pro-
posal of the other Powers to make no re-
ply to the answer of Greece to the identi-
cal note If the European governments.
but to proceed with coercive measures.
Thus far, it is learned that only Germany
and Austria have accepted the Russian
proposal to put blockade into immedi-
ate effect, but it ia believed that if the
other Powers refuse to act in concert, the
warshlps Of the three Powers named, Will
md Ea IN apfarca c0p,Diinnpa rxifh