Evening journal., 1897-04-26
END NEAR AT HAND.
The Powers Believe It Is About
Time to Intervene.
An ARMISTICE MAY BE SUGGESTED.
Although Meeting with Continued Dis
Esters, the Greeks VIII Persevere with
Greater Determination-say Their
Defense Is Stronger Than Ever.


London. April 26.-what seems likely
to be the last week of the war is enter
ed upon. 1t is difficult from the tan
gle of conflicting kilograms to under
stand the exact position of affairs.
Following the Greek defeat at Laris-
sa, London opinion is almost unani-
nous that the end is in sight, and this
view is probably shared by the powers,
as they are already moving to inter-
vene
1t is believed that Intervention will
first take the form of a suggestion of
armistice, to which the combatants
would no doubt agree. The British for
eign office has been in close communi-
cation with the other members of the
European concert, Great Britain sug-
gesting that the time has now arrived
for them to act The French, German
and Italian governments have already
responded, offering to agree though the
German government adds as a condi-
tion that it will be necessary first to
exact a pledge from Greece to obey the
mandate Of Europe VIII n this mandate
is again given.
The British foreign Office believes
that Greece will give this understand
ing, as the disasters which have over
taken her have demonstrated that Tur-
key still possesses a formidable fight
ing machine, a fact which must have
SOLDERING effect upon the popular de-
mand for war at Athens and which VIII
permit the Greek nation to climb down
without disgrace after a superb vindi-
cation of the personal courage of the
Greek troops and a gratifying demon
stration of Hellenic patriotism.
If the Greeks listen to reason and the
arguments which will be pressed by
England at Athens and by Russia at
Constantinople, it is not improbable
that a decision will be reached by Tues
day, before which it is not supposed
here that Edhem Pasha or Osman
Pasha will have time to do more than
to appear at Pharsala.
The situation is curious and perplex-
ing. Each day there have been actions
carried out with every circumstance Of
war by one organized army against the
other, yet so far as is known here there
has been no declaration of war The
old military adage that war often de-
clares itself evidently applies in this in
stance. The Turks have invariably been
the aggressors, and when the Greeks at
various points have CALAMITY repelled
AAAS NhtAAA9 anu AOAANNNn bR Alltll SUI
cesses orders have been invariably re-
ceived compelling them to stop just
short Of the complete occupation of the
conquered positions.
These orders in many cases have in
volved the abandonment Of the fruits
of much fighting, with heavy loss, and
the spectacle is repeatedly witnessed Of
a victorious force retiring to its old po-
sitions. This state Of things creates the
utmost astonishment and gives rise to
very free adverse comment. The Greek
troops can only suppose that political
instead Of military reasons govern ths
situation. For three days in success
sion were the Greek troops drawn up II
battle array in front of Tyrnavo anC
opposite the mouth of Milouna pass
with intervals of brief artillery duels
sometimes with the sputtering fire OF
sharpshooters with a constant march
ing and countermarching all over the
field itself a most wearisome exercise
and this kind of thing may speedily
become demoralizing, as it assuredly /:
most confusing.