The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-21
Public Opinion Controls the European Stu
alton and Demora|lzes Diplomacy.
THE GERMAN EMPEROR STANDS ALONE
In His Suggestion to Blockade & :rcclt
Ports -I.erti4sniisbnry Torfz- sturn.
fHS-Sudacn Change OF Policy Ac-
counted fOr--Thc Ixnf4cr's Esluudcr
His Action DisgnSts his Subjects.
(CopyriEhtcd. 1897, by the Sun Printing
and Publishing Association

ana 1uDllSnlnS Association
London. Feb. 20--Thc situation IN the
East at length grows less obscure.
Iherc is Il deadlock between the trcat t
Powers regarding the policy to he pur-
Shcu towards Greece. This deadlock
need not disturb the friends of the
Greeks and Crctans. 1t makes for
righteousness. 1t had its origin In the
new force which entered into the situu-
ton Just six days ago, and which now
dominates 1t completely. The first ucts
OF war by Greece against Turkey called
iorth the unanimous protests or the
SIX Powers. King George replied in a
message of virtual defiance The Ger
man emperor was so angcrcd by this
answer that he cut off diplomatic reln-
tons with Athens and invited the Pow
ers to unite In q blockade or the Greek
ports. Great Britain, France and Italy
nave refused 10 approve the Kaisers
suggestion, and all for the same reason
Public opinion In each country is now
almost unanimously IN sympathy on
the side Of the Greeks ana Cretans
PUBLIC OPINION Rl1IGNS.
This is u new force which controls the
situation. and which Lord Salisbury,
Al. HanotnuX and the Marquis Di Ru-
dlnl dare not disregard. One and per-
1aDS two. OF these men are terribly an
noyed and embarrassed by this new
element IN the problem. NJ. Hanotaux,
4
drastic measures against Greece TO COM
nel her to retire from Crete. If he has
the temerity to do SO in the Chamber or
Deputies on Monday he will become n
plain private citizen on Tuesday Pub
l,c opinion i'll the three nations OF lCu-
rope. where public opinion reigns, has
suddenly declared virtue superior to
that OF it's rulers. It has defeated and
idemoraliZed diplomacy. 1t is more cor
rect to say it has compelled diplomacy
TO recognize the common principles OF
humanity.
AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
1t is impossible to overlook the fact
now clearly revealed that even Lord
Salisbury took warning only lust in
time. There is no longer any doubt
that the British naval officers acted
strictly according to theil. instructions
| IN threatening to use force against the
Greek warships if they attacked Turk
iSh vessels bringing rcinforccmcnts.
The outbreak Of popular indignation
came SO quickly in this country that
the Government in alarm tried TO evadc
the responsibility in Parliament There
was also an instant change Of policy,
Lord Salisbury notifying the Powers two
DAYS later that England would not con
sent TO any plan which contemplated
inc return OF Crete to any forms OF
british control.
italy to-day goes even further, and
officially authorizes the announcement
| that "the Powers will never constitute
themselves gendarmes OF Turkey"
GERMANY ALMOST ALONE.
The German Emperor stands almost
alone III uncnViablc prominence as the
advocate of a policy which Is revolving
10 every natural impulse. He even went
so far yesterday as to notify the Pow
erS that he would not consent to anv
settlement of the Cretan question which
did not first compel the evacuation of
| the island by Greece. Kaiser William
mas done many stupid. blundering
things in diplomatic affairs during the
past two years. but never anything
which aroused such disgust as this
| among his own subjects and through
| out Europe. 1t IS difficult, If not i'm
possible. to harmonize his position and
Lord Salisbury. Hence the deadlock.
HE MUST BACK DOWN.
! Russia realizes fully that It is impos-
Slble for her ally, France. or FOR England
70 70 dely PUBIC opinion wlen 1t has made
| us decree so absolute as that rccorde /
last week. There is no doubt. therefore,
| that 1t Will be the German Emperor who
Will back down il the harmony OF the
! lowers Is TO be preserved. The Eosi-
,iun or Greece seems now 10 lie I'M
| pregnable She could ani probably
| would under such circums tanc2s set the
balkans In blaze. The issue OF peace
| or war Tor Europe would be in her
hands. The impression grows stronger
ihat the Sultan would consent under
pressure TO complete the autonomy. The
| question really is whether the Greeks will
| agree TO this If 1t were coupled with an
assurance of the eventual annexation OF
| the island to their country. The chief
| necessity OF the moment is that some
body suppress the bumptious German
| Emperor.
| ySSULMEN ATTACK CHRISTIANS