Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-09
CONCLUSIONS FROM EXPERIENCE.
What Correspondent Of the Russo Turkish
War Thinks.

An interview appeared the other day
in the Black and White, London pub
LEGATION, with Mr. Frederic Villiers, the
well known war correspondent. Mr.
Villiers was all through the Russo
Turkish war of II. and can, therefore,
speak with some authority on the East
ern question.
Twenty years ago, said MI Fiiiiers'
Russia acted just as she is acting now.
In the great valley of Purth, round
about Kishenoff, she is modifying her
forces as she did in II. With the first
gun fired on the Macedonian frontier
she will begin her march through Rou-
mania. Last time she was stopped at
the entrance to Constantinople. she
will take the same route when her
chance comes again. Russia never
changes her mind, her purpose Is IN
flexible. She is always, on the move
never at rest. But everything is done
so quietly that no one takes any notice
of it,
But surely she has been passive
enough since her war with Turkey
Mr. Villiers laughed ION the contrary,
she has been very active indeed. she
has now got Batoum on the Black Sea,
and she will never leave. By the
treaty of Berlin Batoum was to remain
a free port. 1t is no longer so. Eook
again at China Russia practically has
Port Arthur. She will hold it for all
effective purposes whenever war breaks
out. unless, of course, she is prevented
by superior force But we are thinking
of the beginning of war; no one can
prophcsy of the close.
But we are talking of Russia when
Greece should be our thence"
Not at ALL said Mr.. Villiers
Greece may light the fuse. but Russia
Is responsible for the mine and train
At the present moment the concert IS
practically divided into two parts-Ger-
many and Russia form the one; Great
Britain Austria, France and Italy, the
other Germany and Russia are for the
severest coercive measures against
Greece: the other Powers are shy of
that
rs that not a proof that Russia
wishes to prevent war by coercing
Greece to keep the peace?" That un-
doubtedly is Germany's object. APP
parently il may be Russias: but it is
not really so. Greece knows that she
is doing what Russia wants in defying
the concert. If war breaks out Greece
and Russia stand to lose nothing, and
Russia may gain immensely. AS for
Greece she may gain something, too.
4 somewhat similar state of things oc-
CURED in 81, when the Powers block
AIDED the Grecian ports. L happened &c
be in Athens then, and saw scenes
similar to what you read of now in the
papers. Curiously enough, Delyannis
was the prime minister then as now,
and he advocated the same policy.
Troops were dispatched to the Mace
DOMAIN frontier. and the torch would
undoubtedly have been flung into the
powder magazine of the Balkans. but
that in 80 NJ. Delyannis was opposed
in his policy by NJ. Tricoupis. a power
full minister and leader of the opposi
ton. The situation is so far changed
today that NJ. Delyannis is prime min
lister and Nj. Tricoupis is dead. Be
sides. the Greeks know very well that.
this is their last chance. If they don't
get Crete now they will never get it"
The conclusion of the whole matter is.
then. Mr.. Nilliers, that Russia wants
war, and she generally gets what she
wants?" That is my opinion