The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-24
Turkey Advised to Begin War.

Turkey Advised to Begin War.
1t is claimed Turkey ordered an ad
vance on Larissa as early as April 10 on
the advice of two European powers, and
the note from the Moslem minister to
Greece was vague as to the act of hostil-
ity which caused Edhem Pasha's ad-
vance.
The guns of war then belched forth
| their terrible messengers of death and
the whole frontier was af1ame.
A Greek steamer was sunk by the bat
teries at Prevesa, at the extreme western
end of the frontier. This was followed
by the bombardment of Prevesa. Near
the eastern end the bloodiest battle of
the day was fought and hundreds we're
killed and wounded on both sides. Vic
tory perched on the banners of the Mos
lens.
Fierce fighting took place at several
points throughout today with the ad-
vantage to the Greeks. The soldiers of
Greece are advancing into Turkish ter.
ritory and carrying the war into the
enemy's country. The mountain passes
leading to the heart of Greece are we'll
guarded, 80 that the irregular forces can
be spared to harass the Turkish troops
in Macedonia and to aid insurgents who
are eager to overthrow the Moslem rule.
Wy Anvil Graaoa ord
Turkey have applied the match to the
most infiammable population of the world
and no one can foresee what the conse-
quences are to be.
In this manner the most diplomatic
authority in Washington describes the
situation in southeastern Europe, in
view of the sensational developments of
the last two days.
The departure of the Turkish envoy
from Athens and of the Grecian min
lister from Constantinople, reported in
Sundays dispatches; the sinking of a
Greek boat by the Turks, the battle at
Karya, and other reported conflicts up.
on the frontier, all tend to show, in the
opinion of diplomats here, that the con-
fiagration has already spread beyond
the powers of the Christian governments
to cope with it.
There will be great surprise in we'll
informed circles if the powers find them
selves able to avert desperate war
which may at any moment convert Eu-
rope into camp and bring on the most
imminent danger of hostilities between
the great nations.
The dark mystery of the situation is
the attitude and purpose of Russia. The
Russian diplomacy is now the most able
and comprehensive in Europe. 1t is
unapproachable in it's power to wait
long and calmly for the desired golden
opportunity. 1t is unrivaled in finesse
and in absence OF conscience. 1t can
move quicker when favorable moment
shows itself than any other power in
Europe. What Russia is driving at
what her precise purpose is in the pres
emit crisis. no one whose opinion is worth
anything appears to be able to fathom.
The young car is as yet an unknown
quantity. He has not shown himself.
Nor is it known what influences are in
control of him, whether Muravieff. the
new premier. the czarina, who is noted
as a woman of strong practical sense
and considerable conservatism, or his
uncles. Till light breaks through the
veil of mystery which enshrouds the
court of st. Petersburg the most astute
diplomatic observers confess themselves
unable to forecast the future.
Peace or war in Europe lies in the
hands of the car and his advisers.
"What the immediate future holds for
Europe l do not pretend to be able to
see," said John A. Kasson, formerly
United States minister at Vienna, to-
night. Mr.. Kasson has made a special
study of the eastern question and is.
perhaps, the best authority in this coun-
try upon the peculiar complications
which exist in southeastern Europe.
~ knew Muravieff. the new Russian
minister of foreign affairs, at Vienna"
said Mr.. Kasson. HE was secretary of
the embassy. He cared little or nothing
for society. He attended to his business
first, last and all the time, as is the Rue
sian way. They are, you know, among
the most patriotic people in the world.
He seemed to be thoughtful and studi-
Gus. At times he was even moody. II
had then supposed he was in my time
to be the foreign secretary Of the empire
l should have studied him more slosely.
"Till we know what the czar is trying
to do, or under what influences he has
passed if he is incapable OF steering the
ship Of state himself we shah be forced
merely to guess at the future.
Ir has come to be understood that the |