The record-union., 1897-03-13

Cretan Troubles.
CONSTANTINOPLE, March PA
threatening feature has been added to
the situation in the renewed outbreaks
threatening in Anatolia. The British
ambassador, Sir Phillip Currie, has
drawn the attention of the Turkish
Government to the condition of things
in the districts of Asia Minor and re-
quested that immediate steps be taken
to avert another catastrophe. 1t APP
pears that the condition of the Christ
ians there is deplorable. They are the
victims of constant oppression, outrage,
and murder, and the situation at Payas
is so critical that another Sassoun mas
sacre is feared.
Advices received here from ErZeroum
say that large forces of Russian troops
are concentrating on the Armenian
frontier in the direction of Sarakamlch,
in the district of Kars.
In semi official circles here it is posi-
lively asserted that the Admiral of the
Sultan's civil list is negotiating with the
United States Government for the pur-
chase of two or three ironclads which
have already been completed in the
United States, and it is added that the
sum of 5000, 900 has already been paid
on account.
ARMS SMUGGLED INTO GREECE.
BERLIN, March IA dispatch from
Constantinople says large quantities of
Gras rifles and cartridges are being
struggled from Greece into the Turkish
Island of Chios on the west coast of
Asia Minor and sold to the inhabitants
at low prices.
INSURGENTS WAITING THE AID
VANCE SIGNAL.
PARIS. March ia dispatch from
Larissa says that at the Turkish head
quarters at Flassona there are $4,000
troops, but both officers and men are
destitute and have scarcely clothes
enough to cover them, and there have
been numerous desertions. The Greek
troops, it is further asserted, are in eX-
cellent condition, and SO full of enthusi-
asm that their officers have difficulty in
keeping them quiet. The frontiers are
covered with $4,000 insurgents, who are
only waiting the signal to advance. 1t
is estimated that in another week s
time there will be $4,000 Greeks con-
centrated on the frontier. The eau
lois" says that the blockade must be
postponed. The Powers have formally
taken possession of Crete in order to
organize an autonomous Government
GREECE MAY FORCE THE HANDS
OF THE POWERS.
ATHENS, March 1.-THE Cretan
question is passing through a period of
quiescence, a lull having followed the
reply of the Greeks to the Powers, and
everybody seems to be wondering where
and when the storm Will break out
afresh. In spite of the repeated asser-
tons made in different Capitals of Eu-
rope that the Powers are acting in con-
cert, it is remarked here that if this was
the case, the threatened coercion of
Greece would nave been an accom-
plished fact long before this.
There seems to be but three ways out
of the present difficulty The most
popular is that the Powers must accept
the offer Of Greece to withdraw her fleet
from Cretan waters, and allow her army
of occupation to remain nominally under
the control of a foreign officer outrank-
ing Colonel Vassos to be used for the
pacification Of the island. and when that
is accomplished a plebiscite shall de-
eide whether the Cretans prefer annexa-
ton to autonomy. The second sug-
gested solution is the coercion of Greece
by the blockade of the Greek coasts, as
we'll as the Island of Crete. This would
be a dangerous and difficult task In the
first place il would require an immense
fleet. owing to the almost innumerable
islands composing the Grecian Archi-
pelago, to make such a blockade eff
fective Besides, Greece's reply TO the
proposition would probably be the light
ing of the fires of war in Macedonia, the
beginning of a conflagration which
might spread all over Europe.
The most dangerous spot on the map
OF Europe at present is the frontier of
Thessaly. If Greece is coerced. or If she
does not obey the substance Of her de-
mands, she is liable to force the hands
of the Powers, and this might be done
in more ways than one. such as crossing
the border. trying to raise the Balkans.
and possibly bringing about the long
contemplated ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Turkish Empire.
The third solution Of this dangerous
and difficult problem is contained in the
renewed rumors that King George may
abdicate in favor Of his eldest son,
Crown Prince Constantine. Duke of
Sparta, whose wife is the Princess
Sophia of Prussia, sister of Emperor
William of Germany. There are many
who believe that the Kings abdication
would be the best means of clearing up
the situation.
While the stand taken by King
George. in this present crisis. has un-
doubtedly improved his position among
the Greeks. his abdication would be d
popular step, as the populace has never
quite forgiven him for being for
eigner while his sons. who We're born
in Greece. are regarded as being one
of themselves. The Crown Princess is
known to be a trifie jealous of Prince
George. the sailor Prince. the second
son of King George.
The Princess, il is added, is said to be
furious at Emperor William for having
sided with the Turks against her
adopted people Her husband is much