Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-21
CRETAN SITUATION.
DEADLOCK OF THE POWERS ON
THE sUBJEcT.
EMPEROR WILLIAM STANDS ALONE.
~. VIII Not Join other Great Euro
Ue.u Nations i'm Agreeing on Auto
Geek Position ImpregnabIc.

~
IN the East at length grows less obscure.
There IS a deadlock between the great
powers regarding the policy to be pur-
sued towards Greece. This deadlock
need not disturb the friends Of the Greeks
and Cretans. however. II makes for
righteousness. 1t had its origin in the
new force which entered into the situa-
,lon lust six days ago. and which now
dominates 1t completely.
The domestic events Of these few days
are few and simple The first acts Of
war by Greece against Turkey called
forth the unanimous protest of the six
Powers King George replied in mes
SAKE Of virtual defiance. The German
Emperor was so angered by this answer
that he cut off diplomatic relations with 7
Athens. and invited the Powers to unite
in a blockade of the Greek ports. Great
britain. France, and italy have refused
10 approve the Kaiser's suggestion, and
an for the same reason. Public opinion
IN each country is now almost unanimous
Is in sympathy on the side of the Greeks
ana Cretans. This is the new force
which controls the situation. and which
MARQUIS 81 Rudini dare not disregard.
one. and perhaps two Of these men are
terribly annoyed ana embarrassed by this
new element in the problem. NJ Hano-
teaux. especially. if he dared would adj
vocate drastic measures against Greece, to
co1rel her to retire from Crete. If he has
the temerity TO do so in the Chamber of
Deputies on Monday ne will become plain
private citizen on Tuesday. Public opin-
ion In the three nations Of Europe. where
public opinion reigns, has suddenly de-
clared virtue superior 10 that OF its
rulers. IL has defeated and demoralized
Diplomacy / was about TO add that it
had destroyed that hideous moral ini-
guilty known as the concert Of Europe.
II Is more correct to say it has compelled
Diplomacy TO recognize the common prin-
ciples of humanity.
SALISBURY JUST IN TIME.
II Is impossible to overlook the fact
that is now clearly revealed that even
Lord Salisbury took warning only just in
time There Is no longer any doubt that
the British naval officers acted strictly
according 10 their instructions in threat
ening 70 use force against the Greek war
ships. If they attacked Turkish vessels
bringing reinforcements. The outbreak
Of popular Indignation came 50 quickly
In this country that the government IN
alarm tried 10 evade the responsibility
in Parliament. There was also an instant
change Of policy, Lord Salisbury notify
ing the Powers two days later that Eng
land would not consent to any plan
which contemplated the return OF Crete
10 any form Of Turkish control.
Italy to-day goes even further and OIL
ciallv authorizes the announcement that
the Powers will never constitute them
selves gendarmes of Turkeys.
The German Emperor stands almost
alone in unenviable pre-eminence as the
advocate OF a policy which is revolving 10
every natural impulse. he even went so
far Yesterday as to notify the Powers
that he would not consent to any settle
ment Of the Cretan question which did
not first compel the evacuation OF the
island by Greece.
Kaiser William has done many stupid,
laundering things in diplomatic affairs
during the past two years, but never any
thing which aroused such disgust as this
among his own subjects and throughout
Europe II is difficult IL not Impossible,
10 harmonic his position and Lord Salls-
bury's Hence the deadlock.
Russas attitude continues to be
mystery, and Austria's is not clear. Kus-
STA. however, realizes fully that IL IS
impossible for her ally, France, or Tor
England TO defy public opinion, Wheh
10 has made its decree so absolute as
that recorded this week. There Is no
doubt therefore, that 1t will be the Ger
man Emperor who will back down, If the
harmony of the Powers is to be pre-
served.
GREEK POSITION IAPREGNABLlE.
The position Of Greece seems now TO
be improbable morally and diplomati-
cally. and even physically. 1t would be
the highest political folly for the Powers
10 try TO coerce her, even If every sentl-
mental impulse did not condemn 1t. she
could and probably would under such
circumstances set the Balkans in blaze.
The issue of peace or war for Europe
would be I'm her hands ii is supposed TO
be the supreme object Of each government
10 preserve peace. They would hardly
be so stupid, then, as to leave the de-
cision 10 the little kingdom which has
50 much 10 gain and so little 10 lose by
war. The reports grow more and more
emphatic 10 the effect that a revolution
In Macedonia is inevitable and that IL is
close at hand. There is every incentive,
therefore 10 settle the Cretan question
as quickly as possible. IN order TO be
ready 10 deal with the new emergen-
cy The impression grows stronger that
the Sultan would consent under pres
sure. 10 complete the autonomy OF
Crete. The question really is whether
the Greeks will agree TO this, If It be
coupled with an assurance OF the
eventual annexation OF the island 70
their country. There Is growing opih-
ion to-day that the matter viii be set
tied on this basis. The CHIEF necessity
OF the moment is that somebody sup
press the bumptous German emperor.
THE SAND DELYANNIS-
II seems to have escaped the notice
OF the European press that the pre-
sent Prime Minister of Greece is the
same NJ. Delyannis who represented the
daring little kingdom at the European
Congress. which met at Berlin at the
conclusion Of the Russo-Turkish war
nearly twenty years ago. The decisions
OF the congress blasted the hopes OF
Greece then. as some Of the Powers
are inclined 10 do now, but with less
reason.
II was on the 29th Of June, 1913, that
n Delyannis told the congress that
Greece bowed TO the viii Of Europe III
order not TO risk disturbing Europeai
peace but he continued that IL Wouiu
be- 10 the interest OF Turkey as well as
Of Europe for Greece TO take posseS-
sion OF crete, which was then IN iuii
revolt. Crete could never be pacihced py
pallatives and In the near future, uh-
less independence were. granted II Wodiu
Doe the scene Of bloody work. NJ. Deslyah-
mis- then warned the assembled repre-
sentatives OF the Great Powers that
Macedonia would also have 10 be reck-
Oned with. Greece. he declared, co".u
IL. ctr o.