The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

ion c,bore an American warship may be
needed. ..,, c.,,,
Tho officials OF both the state ana Navy
Departments. however. show niue appre-
henslon of the ilSreatment OF AihcilC""
citizens In either Turkey or Greece "hlch
is regarded as about the only possible
c,uec ~ friction now Possibly, at
LATER stage in the war in the event that
The Turks arc defeated. there may be
riotlnc nj Constantinople or some OF the
larger Turkish cities. but that Is not
feared at present
The Turkish Minister. Moustapha Boy
has communicated with Secretary Sher-
man on the status OF the Turko-Grecian
conflict He officially Informed the Arnerl-
can Secretary az state OF the termination
of diplomatic relations between Turkey
and Greece. and OF the attitude OF offence
which Turkey had been compelled TO
take nv reason Of the aggressive course
of Greece. II was expressly made known,
however that no declaration Of war had
been issued.
Tntn this Official step is taken. hostili-
ties along the frontier are regarded in
the light Of preliminary movements, de-
signed TO secure strategetic positions but
not constituting war as contemplated by
a formal declaration OF war Until this
Government is not likely to give official
recognition TO the existing state OF affairs
by a notice Of neutrality or such other
step as the other authorities may deem
proper TO guard American interests.
NO NEUTRALITY PROCLAMATION.
II has been suggested that the President
probably will be called upon 20 issue a
proclamation of neutrality now that war
has begun between Turkey and Greece.
The officials have looked into the pre-
cedents in such cases and have concluded
that the conditions at present do not re-
ouiro the issue Of such a notice.
The purpose OF neutrality proclamation
Is TO guard American citizens against
the consequences OF infraction OF the
neutrality imposed upon nations not party
10 a war 1t does not directly concern
either Of the beligerents but Is intended
to warn American citizens that II they
espOuse the cause Of either cOmbatant
they will absolvc their own country from
extending protection 10 them. Conditions
may arise later on IL Is said at the state
Department. warranting the issue OF u
proclamation but the Americans i'm Tur-
key and Greece are so few in number aud
are Of such character as 10 make it un-
likely that they VIII involve themselves
in trouble
Ii is noted here with curiosity that the
cablegrams so far received arc 50 CON
nicting on one point namely. whether war
has. or mas not been formally and oilici-
ally declared that IL is not yet possible
to decide what the state Of affairs Is.
Common belief in diplomatic circles Is
that there has been no such thing as a.
formal declaration of WAL and IT Is recall
ed that Of late years IL has become rather
the rule than the exception TO wage war
With declaration.
WHO rs THE AGGRESSOR?
In the present case. however. the fact
Is regarded among diplomats as OF the
first importance for the reason that the
powers have given notice that the nation
that is the aggressor in the conflict VIII
not be permitted 10 reap any advantage
from "A war While Turkey may be
strongly armed with evidence going 10
show that Greece has been the aggressor'
still If she herself has been the hrst 10
declare war formally that fact must nave
technical weight in aifectlnS the JUG
ment Of the Powers.
The President is taking an active inter-
est i'm the struggle between the GREEKS
and Turks and is being constantly ad-
,,ieed law the Department OF State as 10
tho latest Developments In the war. lie
wishes to ensure the adoption OF an prop
or and usual precautions for the protec-
lion of American interests In the Medlte-
ranean. A.. ,-si,o
Senator Sherman came to inc Wnne
House this afternoon and Inc IItsluen'
held "A conference with his Premier Oh
he subject II maybe that I'm a short time
some question Will arise that VIII lhHoiFc
action of some sort on our part dIlSlhE
,erbaps from attempts by both Turks ana
cree,s To blockade each other norris
which possiblv might interfere with the
introduction Of some American prouuc'S'
but AT present this is remote coh'lh-
gency .,.,..,,,,,,,. 90
far received verify the assumption thdl ne
has undertaken the protection OF inc
Greeks resident In Turkey ana II Is hoN
believed that the basis was a niiSlh'eIpi' co.
ed ,.ablegram. ON the whole the aulhoIi NJ
orr. Glad that the report is not supporit
for. though such request coulu no. w"
lac declined. II Is remembered that our
Ministers in China and Japan, and the
State brpartment as well became involved
in a mess when they undertook the pro-
toction of the Chinese and Japanese
through the killing of several Japanese
students. and there Is always rish tha'
trot,ble may follow the assumption OF such
Responsibility.
WAKSHIPS TO REMAIN.
Admiral selfridge has cabled the Secre-
tary OF the Navy request 10 nave the
cruiser Cincinnati, now at Mersine, under
orders to come home. remain In the Medi-
terranean station for time. She was 10
be relieved by the Raleigh. but secretary
Long has given instructions that DOth
shins shall remain there. This Will give
Admiral Selfridge a fleet OF nVe ships. the
! San Francisco. the Minneapolis. the Mar
blehead. the Cincinnati. and the Ralelsh,
/ a number sufficient TO ensure the adequate
protection oil all American interests III
Southern Europe. IN the opinion OF the
Navy Department.
LARISSE. April l9.-5 +. M.-Thc Greeks
have defeated the Turks at Reveni az
two Greek brigades have entered TURKISH
territory in different directions and pene-
tratsd to Bamasi, northeast Of Searkos
Another division is trying to flank IN,
Turks. who are retieating in disorder.
Heavy firing is in progress at GritzoVali
1t has been going on since noon. The
Greeks are trying to recapture the place
ATHENS. April ia telegram received
from Arta says troops have left that
place lor Jaime The sea OF Prevesa Is
very rough The lighting to-day was
desultOry.
GULF OR ARIA CLOSED.
CONSTANTINOPLE. April l9.-The
Turkish authorities OF Prevessa have pro-
claimed the gulf OF Arta closed TO
all but Turkish ships.
PHILADELPHIA. April l9.-Ex-N Minis
ter to Greece Snowden stated to-day that
he had recently received the following
reply to a message sent TO King George.
approving the attitude assumed by that
monarch