The evening times., 1897-03-06
POWERS NOT QUITE AGREED
Sundry Complications in Their Atti-
tude Toward Greece.

Britain, as TO when the final steps viii
be taken to coerce Greece into complying
with the demands that have been made
upon her by what is called united Europe.
The, so far as foreign affairs is con-
cerned so-terned infaIlible British min
lister seems to be in doubt as to the out
come OF bis vigorous policy, which has
called forth heartfelt condemnation by
many English newspapers, and it is said
that he win propose to the other powers
that before blockading the coast of Greece
that country be given an extension OF time
in which To consider her response TO the
collective note demanding ber withdrawal
from Crete. Indecsion is generally sign
of. weakness, and it is so believed to be
in this case.
Ii is thought that Greece does not need
any further time TO consider what reply
shall be made TO the powers. Small and
weak as she is, it is judged from the dis
patches from Athens hat she is thoroughly
determined to maintain her present atu-
tude, and defy the powers to do their
worst. In the meantime, the admirals
commanding the foreign fleets off Crete
have been ordered to report a plan for the
blockade of the Greek coasts, and this
in the face OF the nenacing position evil
denced 10y the mobilization OF the Greek
army. and the report that a squadron has
started for the coast OF Macedonia.
A representative OF the United Associated
Presses was told at the foreign office to-
day that the officials there still had conf
dence that there would be no armed coilis-
ion between Greece and the powers. but IL
the statements attributed TO the Greek
prime minister, NJ. DeIyannis. are true, IL
is evident that the foreign officials are
viewing the situation with an optimism
thatis not warranted by the situation. The
statement said 70 have been made by Nj.
Delyannis that Greece would prefer TO dis
appear from the map OF Europe rather than
draw back from the position she has taken
does not lead unpreJudiced observers TO pin
their faith strongly to the opinions of for
eign office officials who blindly folio W the
lead OF their chief, aud who before this
have seen diplomatic victory In circum-
stances which have impressed outsiders
with a strong sense OF defeat. Though the
current of British sentiment flows strongly
in favor of Greece in the Cretan imbroglio,
it is apparently not strong enough 10 di-
rect the policy Of Lord Salisbury. He may
pretend to bow to the popular will, but
really he is taking his own course, acting
on the dictum of Lord Beaconsfield, that
diplomacy must be guided by statesmen
aud not by the chatter 0f irresponsible
frivolty."
Following the idea that the governments
foreign policy, right or wrong, should have
the support of the country, some of the
liberal papers are discovering that some
thing can be said of diplomatic action,
81
timent, is, in official opinion, keeping
Europe out of war, an opinion which it
is feared. may shortly receive a sudden
shock. The Gladstone, Labouchere, and
general liberal contention that Crete ought
TO he united with Greece, has led to some
public enlightenment ON the exact justice
of the Greek claims, the position of King
George towards certain OF the powers, and
what might be the results of union upon
Crete. IL has transpired that King George
since his settlement on the throne, has
been drawing annually from England,
France. and Russia, pension OF f12,0
each power giving him $4,000 per annum,
under the understanding that that sum
shall continue during the good behavior
| of himself aud subjects. There are those
| VITO look upon the Graecc-CTetan trouble as
| q prearranged scheme to save the king
| and his dynasty from a revolution, which.
would embarrass king and guarantors.
Anent the Greek claims, racial and re-
| ligious. there are now voices heard, pro-
testing tina tie modern Greek is the merest
| mongrel making fraudulent use OF tradi-
| ton. most indifferent Christian, and ever
wanting Crete for purposes OF robbery. III
| certainly can he affirmed with accuracy
| that the people of the Ionian Islands,
ceded to Greece through Mr. Gladstone, re-
| gret the change from property and no taxa
| tion under Britain to diminished trade and
heavy imposts under Greece.
A letter is issued by the Geographical
Commercial Society of Paris, from Syria
| correspondent, declaring that the Cretans
| distrust Greece and want autonomy. Under
| the Turk the Cretan Christian has been ex-
| empt from military service, paid with much
| irregularity their imposts, and have long
| had a quasi independence. Annexed to
| Greece, they would be liable to military
duty, be burdened with taxation, and
mob of Greek functionaries to rule over
them and collect the taxes
This is. of course, ex-paTte evidence,
| and it does not in any way agree with
the statements of the leaders of the Cletan
insurgents, who declare that they will
| fight TO the death to free themselves nom
every semblance of Turkish rule, and who
protest that they desire annexation TO
Greece. Probably Lord Salisbury and
| other European diplomats care little for
the CRY of Crete for the Cretans But it is
+, obvious that autonomy similar to that or
| the island of Sanlos would commend itself
| to statesmen. Samos has purely Chris
| tian population, and so differs flom crete,
where about one-fourth of the people are
| Moslems. Samos, be it noted, though en-
| tirely Greek, has refused to become part
| OF Greece, preferring autonomy, with an
| annual tribute of 3O0 GOO piastres TO the
sultan, to being ruled by Christians Of the
| same race.
| Oscar Wilde, who will be liberated next
| month, will settle in Passy, France, and
| resume his literary work under an assumed
| name. The managing editor of an inn
| portant Paris paper, who was and remains
an admirer OF Wilde's literary work, is
| ready to accept prose or poetry from him.
Lady Scott, who was sentenced to nine
| months imprisonment for libelling her
| son-in-Iaw. Earl Russell, has again been
| examined by a medical specialist, assisted
| by the regular physician of Holloway
prison. The report pronounces her to be
| suffering so much from confinement as
| permanently to affect her health. Her
early release is expected.
The forecasts of the queens jubilee
| progress through London, which re APP
| pearing in the press, are ventures on
| probabilities None of them has official
| sanction. Some of them are assured. The
omen air solemnity in front of St. Paul S