The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-30

tians also bitterly complained. and with
| truth. that a Turkish warship in Suda
| bay was allowed to lombard klives.
although il is under European protec-
| ton. This bombardment occurred
| twice in my presence. as did also the
| Smelling of the village Of kontOpulo
| when / was staying there. Moreover,
F, every two-oared boat crossing Suda
| bay has been fired at by the Turkish
| battleships before the eyes of the ad
| mirals.
THE Turkish fortified barracks. call
ed blockhouses, around Canea, consu-
tute a source of chronic danger. The
soldiers. fresh from Armenia. shoot at
passing Christians in sport and do not
respect even a white flag. l myself
have been frequently fire at. and once
nearly hit and have been for the past
three days absolutely cut off from Ca
nea by the Turkish blockhouses. In the
mountains at place called Sulo1aran-
go we heard weired voices across
deep, impossible ravine, issuing, ap-
parently. from the bowels of the earth
We stopped and through feld-glasSes
saw emaciated women and children is
suing from a cave high up the noun
tain on the opposite side OF the cleft.
They were the wives. widows and chill
dren of Christians taking refuge from
the Turks Of Malaxa. and living on
roots. We could not help them. When
We reached Colonel Vassos' headquar-
ters at Alikiano I saw scores of famish
ing people, once rich. who came begging
food some Of them English. All were
barefoOted and emaciated, several haV-
ing not eaten for three or four days.
There are hundreds in the same condf-
tions yet the food supply is stopped by
the order of Europe. The distress is
heartrending, and disease has now su-
pervened."
This testimony and more to the same
effect is from correspondents of jour
nails which steadfastly uphold LORD
Salbury in his Cretan policy. The
problem is how long the unanimous
testimony Of the facts in the case will
fail to influence the attitude or the
government and it's supporters. There
is ample evidence that the political
features Of the situation are rapidly ap-
preaching an issue of the greatest i'm
portance to Europe and the world.
Lord Salisbury's visit to Paris yes
terday to consult M. Hanotaux. the
French foreign minister, is an event Of
the utmost Signifiance. When before
has a prime minister Of Great Britain
esteemed the emergency in the affairs
of Europe so great that he has gone to
Paris to hold consultation with the
foreign minister of France? An at
tempt is naturally made to disguise the
Importance Of the visit under the fic-
ton Of health trip, but that is only
a transparent subterfuge. Nothing has
transpired, nothing will transpire
probab bly,, at the present day regard
ing what took place at these two mo-
mentous interviews in Paris. 1t may
be assumed that greater things than
a solution Of the Cretan crisis were dis
cussed. 1t is not venturing beyond the
bounds Of proba bility to say that the
whole question of Anglo French rela-
tions was gone into, and that, too, in
spirit Of warmest friendliness and
Cancellation on the part Of Lord Sal
isbury.
The whole tone of political events
continues to be in favor of closer rela-
tiOns between England and France
England is undoubtedly the initiator. 1t
is suggested in more than one quarter
that Lord Salisbury under the pres
sure Of the extraordinary political Sit
uation in Europe at the present mo-
ment, might be willing to abondon the
traditional English policy Of mo en-
tangiing alliances" and enter into All
agreement with France. which would
be an alliance in everything but name.
Even the Egyptian difficulty, some be-
lieve, might be adjusted on that basis
to the satisfaction of the French peO-
pie. M. Hanotaux, who is a remark
ably clever man, might not find it i'm
possible to transfer the affections of
his countrymen from Russia to Eng
land II he made juaicious use Of an
Egyptian concession and the mutual
hate Of Germany. with whom the
French people seriously suspect their
Russian ally is flirting.
| Regarding the prospect Of events in
! Greece and Turkey, it is still impossi-
BILE to speak with any confidence. One
set Of correspondents assert more en-
phatically than ever that war is now
certain. Others think the continued
delay may avert a conflict, altogether.
It really depends on the secret inten-
tions of certain Of the powers with
regard to Greece and Turkey. Infor-
nation on this point is hopelessly con-
flicting, and do not undertake to ven-
ture even an opinion.
The synod Of the Presbyterian church
of England, at which it was proposed
to arraign Ian MacLaren for heresy,
opens at Sunderland on April 26th and
! will last a week. The reverend nov
elst has decided, not only that he will
not keep still. but to carry the war
into the enemy's camp by attending the
synod and lecturing and eaching in
the biggest halls he can get In the
north Of England. This vigorous policy
heresy hunters and there is some talk
now OF mercilessly ignoring Ian Mac
Laren's doctrinal unsoundness.
Big Judgment Against Insurance Com
l