The times., 1897-03-15
An Acute Eastern situation.


There are the strongest reasons for
thinking that the prospect Of general
European war MAS been increased sine,
the outbreak of the Western phHheienic
sentiment compelled the British and Frenc b
cabinets to hesitate and halt in their
active adherence to the policy now seen
to have been serious and ultimate with
| the three emperors OF Russia, Germany
and Austria. Much yet depends upon
| the impending debate of the Cretan ques-
| tion in the French chambers. IF tina,
! should disclose u representative sentiment
| yielding enough, it is probable that France
will lend its weight 10 the ''drei Kaiser"
program OF forcihle coercion, and Italy
| will follow. AS this would leave Eng
land alone, that government would be
| forced to join with the others.
The European dispatches OF yesterday
all tended to the probability that the III
tense auti-German feeling now rife among
the French people OF all classes, would
be potent enough to compel the rejection
by their government OF the scheme pro-
posed by their Eastern neighhors. There
is little doubt that the attitude OF both
England and italy viii be determined by
the parliamentary developments in Paris
within the next few days. Should the
results favor such a solution we hardly
can doubt that an understanding Will be
quickly reached between Great Britain,
France and Italy, who then would he
arrayeG against the three imperial powers
upon an issue clear and frictional enough
to gravely menace the peace of the world.
1t is quite evident that the car believes
the time has come to force the situation
and bring The differences within the con-
cert to a positive issue. His proposition
to make Bozo Petrovitch, an uncle of
Prince Nikita OF Montenegro, governor
OF Crete, is ample evidence of the fact.
As the Montcnegrin princely family are
completely under Russian tutelage and
dictation, such an arrangement could
mean nothing less than Muscovite pro-
tectorate OF the island, which would an
tagonize England almost as much as it
would insult and injure Greece. 1t would
dispose OF the latter's last hope OF ever
acquiring Crete, and equally would plant
the Russian power in front Of the Egaean
Sea in a manner that nobody is ready
TO think the queens ministers would con-
sent to without fight
IL this proposal is merely q diplomatic
bluff" to disclose the Western hand, it
is one OF SO dangerous nature that we
can hardly believe Russia would make it
without the disposition to bring on an acute
situation, OF which war might easily be
the only outcome. Readers VIII rem enber
that when Count Bismarck considered that
Prussia was ready to have it out with
Napoleon III, he created a ''casus belli''
in much the same way, by having Hohen-
zollern prince proposed for the Spanish
throne The irritation that ensued in con-
sequence drove France into war, as was
intended. The national affront in that in
stance was not as direct or venomous as
the cars present proposition must be
considered by Lord Salisbury, leaving King
George out OF consideration.
Only those Immediately behind the scenes
can know whether or not an alliance be-
tween England, France and Italy, solid
enough to risk the chances of war with
the Kaisers, is among the present posi-
blities. IL it be not, it may be feared
that little Greece win have a hard time.
Should the Western powers feel forced to
avoid the dangers OF an ultimate strug-
gle, the Russo-German influence might
compel them to witness the complete isola-
tion OF the Greeks, and perhaps their
crushing by the numerical force of the
Turks, armed and financially supported
by Wilhelm and Nicholas. But this, again,
hardly could go on Indefinitely without
precipitating general fight. The situ-
alton at large appears more critical and
pregnant OF war than we have yet SCENT.