The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-05
NOW IT. LOOKS IN EUROPE.


PANS, Feb. 1O.-At q reception held a Few
evenings ago, at which n number Of personages
in the official and diplomatic world were pres
ont, n Russian diplomatist remarked that the
European situation had never looked so obscure
since 1914. That IL Is looked on MS unusu-
ally serious Is manifest from the activity OF TINS
Government, since the outbreak In greece, In
getting every ship Of war ready for emergencies
and pushing forward tho vessels In construction
that can be made ready for service at an
early date. Hardly a day passes but tho
presentation Of n new note TO the Sultan Is an
nounced, and the diplomatic middle seems to
have no issue. More than ever the powers find
themselves confronted with an insoluble riddle,
for there appear to be no means of any longer
keeping together the crumbling Turkish power
without putting the peace OF the Continent In
danger. One thing only Is clear, that the Otto
man empire Is in danger.
In high political quarters the struggle between
the English idea and the Franco-Isussian com
bination is still going on, but 1t Is believed that
the latter will carry the day against the English
coalition. M. Hanotaux, 1t Is said. con-
siders the Greek. affair rs the re-
suit of English diplomacy, and some con.
nection between them is discorned In the
nomination of Sir Edmond Monson to the
embassy here, after having passed several years
at Athens, with q short period at Vienna. The
recent infammatory speech Of Sir Michael Hicks
Beach Is now believed to have been made with
tho object Of forcing Russia, France, and Ger
many into q position that would bring about the
breakup OF the concert Of the Continental
powers which mcnaccs England's supremacy In
Africa. The revolt Of Greece and Crete would
shattcr tho integrity Of tho Ottoman empire
which France and Russia desire to maintain.
while at tho same time putting IN end to
thn IiunrIcr Ipa IN tpiurtt1a TIM nhipCf aa.
cribcd to Lord Salisbury is complication in
the East and n rupture OF the continental con-
cert. lie Is thought to fear that tho mainte-
nance OF peace at Constantinoplc would bring
the maritime supremacy OF England. Since the
important, ! may say decisive, conference held
by NJ. Hanotaux with Baron Mqhronheim, the
Russian Ambassador. at midnight n week ago,
pissed. The departure Of Prince George for
menaccd the execution OF the reforms at
Constantinoplc, but T. is hoped hat tho
Crock movement before it is too late.
On the. other hand. Germany. perez wing
Fra nHs and R R1nnll ma" Wien lHhhs he's i pTodu Un dH a CHANGE i,S a 90
OF sentiment at Vienna and may also at Rome.
This would DO the reconciliation OF the CONT.
mental concert against England.
but II peace Is assured. the work Of reforms at
Constaniinople is. compromised. Instead of
tended, they will be deferred. and, In any case.
partial, Every question. European. Eastern;
can keep up trouble in the East. or whether the
temporary coalition OF France, Russia, and Ger
many Is sufficiently strong TO maintain q conti-
mental entente and peace. That, In brief. Is the
situation as seen from Paris. England
is regarded as tho disturber OF Euro.
pean peace, In order that she may DO
able 10 turn all her energies to the
consolidation OF her dominion in Africa.
The coalition OF the three great powers men
toned desires the peace ofthe Continent In order
TO be able to check England's ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and domination over the rest OF tho world. A
shrewd Frcnchman discussing these matters a
couple OF days ago said: "Thosc who think that
there Is any struggle between two ideas, that OF
the emancipation OF the Christian nationalities
and that OF the stdtu quo. are deeply in error.
The policy is not so elevated; II is the narrow
one OF selfish interests"
\ Constantinople there is n strong conviction
that England is ut tho bottom OF the Greco
Crctan trouble, which she Is believed TO have
stirred up To divert attention from her projects
In Egypt, which the Sultan still regards as part
OF his domains.