Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-18
frontier In Thessaly.
GREEK CANNONADING

ATHENS, April 17.--Midnight. I'm spite
OF the fact that official reports Indicate
that firing on the frontier ceased at mid
day. telegram from Larissa at
o'clock In the evening. says that firing
continued till past O'clock this (Satur-
day. afternoon. The line OF FIRE extended
from Mount Analysis post TO Klepptike
Gentekia, distance equal to ninety
minutes march TIE Turks. falling back,
abandoned several stations, which the
Greeks promptly occupied. The Greeks
cannonaded the Turks from the Greek
position at Tsamteja, in the rear. The
oannonading caused much excitement at
other points. Since noon strong bodies
or Turks have concentrated I'm the direc-
ton OF Mount Analysis At o'clock
the firing slackened. 1t is expected that
the Turks will attempt a night attack
upon Analysis, which was the central
point OF the battle Greek reinforce
ments have arrived. and there is a gene
raj movement Of troops toward the
frontier. Reinforcements are being hur-
ried toward the frontier from all direc-
tons.
THE EXACT SITUATION.
LONDON April 1.-THE Graeco-Turk-
ish situation is understood here TO be
substantially as follows: War has not
been officially declared between Turkey
ana Greece, but 1t has been declared
officially TO have broken out" The
Turkish Cabinet has decided to sever
diplomatic relations with Greece, and
mas ordered Edhem Pasha, the COM
mander OF the Turkish forces. TO take
the offensive. Ii is considered i'm Lon
oon that war between Turkey and
Greece has actually begun, the Turkish
declaration that war has broken out"
being merely for the purpose of diplo-
matically putting the onus of the war
upon the Kingdom Of Greece.
OUR DUTY TO BE NEUTRAL.
WASHINGTON. April 17.-The news of
the crisis in the Cretan situation was the
absorbing topic in official circles here to-
night The bulletins to the Associated
Press were taken 10 the White House
and TO members of the Cabinet, leading
diplomatic representatives, and chairmen
OF the foreign committees in Congress, so
that those most interested in the event
received early information of the gravity
which the situation has assumed. The
expressions were. general that the United
States could not be drawn into the con-
nict, and the course of this country was
plain in preserving strict neutrality. 1t
was felt on all hands among officials that
the real gravity Of the announcement
was in the prospect that ii will serve as
the spark to start conflagration through
out all Europe
Secretary Sherman was seen at his resi-
dence tonight and shown the bulletins.
1T is no surprise 10 me-" said the Sec
rotary Of State, "as recent events have
seemed to make war inevitable, and
have expected that result to come. For
flict is far from Us, and the United States
has little or no concern with the war
We will, Of course, observe the strictest
neutrality as between the parties This
is a natural result from the conditions
prevailing. and will require no specific
declaration of neutrality. Our CONNER
cial interests with Greece and Turkey are
very small so that there is no ground
for disturbance in that connection. Last
year our exports to Greece amounted to
only S629, IN, an insignificant sum, barely
! per cent, as compared with the total
exports. Turkey exported to the United
States S2,6l9,0OO last year, showing a SINH
lar lack OF important commercial deal
ings between the United States and Tur
key That being the case. our CONNER
cial geographical, and political isolation
from these countries leaves US quite free
from any possible ENHANCEMENT in the
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