The Flagstaff sun-democrat., 1897-04-22
.9GENERAL WAR.
Turkey and Greece May Involve the Great Powers in Possibilities.
THE UNITED STATES OUT OF IT.
Secretary sherman Says This Country Wnl Preserve Coursc of Strict Neutrality Opinions Expressed as to the
 European situation.


 Greece and Turkey means, in the end, a general war in Europe. This is the opinion of members of the diplomatic corps, and also of officials of our own government. Although chary of pub lie expressions of these opinions, for diplomatic reasons, consensus of the views on the crisis in Europe held among we'll informed men in this city is that the breaking out of the long ex- pected war between the great powers cannot be long delayed. The European concert will fall to pieces under the rough friction of hostilities. For time, of course, the powers will en- deavor to restrain the combatants. Their efforts will be directed wholly to confining the outbreak to the two countries immediately involved. But these efforts, in the opinion of those who have studied every phase of Eu- ropean politics and who know what lies behind all the maneuvering, what games of intrigue and self-seeking turk in the background, will inevita- .bly result in failure.
 The news that war had broken out in Europe was received at the American capital with many expressions of ad- miration for plucky Greece, and also of congratulations to the farmers of the United States. That the sympa- thies of American public men are with Greece is obvious from the expressions heard wherever the news was cried. Within a few hours the news ran thrny,ph n tho hNknlo nlv he ond many Q merry dinner party was thrown into excitement by the dread intelli- gence that hostilities had actually be- gun.
 'I have not the slightest doubt that there will be not only war between Greece and Turkey" said an official whose name and fame would carry great weight, could his identity be disclosed, but believe the great pow CTS will within few months find them selves engaged in cutting one another's throats. In the first place, the Turks will sweep the land. Their armies are greatly superior to those of Greece. They are larger and better equipped. It may seem heresy to say so in this country, where all the sympathies are with the Greeks, but the Turks are the better fighters. The days of iLeonidas are over.l Victory now goes to the heaviest battalions and biggest guns Turkey is weak on the water, but this ls going to be land war. In my opin- lon the Turks will be in Athens within 90 days. If Turkeys armies force their way into Greece, take Athens or threat en that capital, Europe will be in a sconvulsion. This is the danger"
 Among officials of the United States who expressed any opinion at all, the sentiment seemed general that war be- itween Turkey and Greece is a matter lin which this government can in no way become involved, that what few citizens of the United States reside in the countries are in the cities, where they are not liable to be molested, and that the only course for this country to maintain is one of strict neutrality. Opinions vary as to the duration of the conflict. One prominent officer of the navy inclined to the belief that fight ing would continue for a short time until the powers of Europe decide that hostilities had proceeded far enough, ghen they would step in and put it to an end.
 Secretary Sherman reiterated last night the statement he made to the Associated press representative that, while the government regretted the existence of war, Turkey and Greece were so far from us that it was mat ter which concerned the United States but little. The strictest neutrality, he declared, must be preserved. The sec rctary had no fear but that the citizens of the United States would be amply protected. Very few of them are in the cities of Constantinople and Athens.