New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-14
THE PEACE OF EUROPE.
1T IS THREATENED BY THE HASTY Ac-
TON OF GREECE.

AND ST PETERSBURG ?-sTocKs DEPRESSED
by WAR RrMoRs-INDIAN RELIEF MEAS
UREs-BRITIsH DOMESTIC POLITICS
-NANsEN GOES TO SCOTLAND.
fnr CABLE TO THE rRtnuxEl
London. Feb. 13.-Prince George, SAILING rom
the Piraeus for Crete. with the blessing OF kng.
Parliament and people, is romantic lgure
appealing strongly to the English imagination.
The fact that he saved the life of his cousin. the
Car. I'm Japan does not diminish his inpor-
lance because it seems to convert him into the
charmed prince who can accomplish the miracle
of satisfying Greece and Russia at once. Nava-
rino Is the word on every tongue, but there Is
no sign vet that Prince George has Europe as
well as Greece behind him. Europe IS hesitate
ing and the Porte is angrily reminding the
Powers that the revolt in Crete has been en-
knded and Greek ambition and avarice have
been fired by the reform measures 1t was COM
PEELED to adopt against its Will
Nothing may come Of the crisis in Crete. and
Prince George. with his feet OF torpsdo-boats.
may return to the Praeus after a harmless
naval manoeuvre: but when the East is like dry
finder before the flame sparks are dangerous
unless Immediately stamped out. Whatever Eu-
rope may do from morbid fear Of a general con-
fagration ENGLAND cannot be depended upon
to coerce the Greek navy or do police work
for the Turks The dangers Of the situation
may be averted by pressure from the Powers at
Ccnstantinople to prevent the dispatch Of Turk
fish troops to Crete from Salonica. If those re-
Inducements sent and the Greek fleet opens
fire upon the transports. the European squadron
can only attempt to intimidate Prince George
and end by doing nothing.
The British Government certainly would find
II difficult to justify the employment OF their
feet in hostile operations against Greece in
defence Of the Turks. Eyen the largest ma
jority ever known in the House Of Commons
could not be whipped into the support of so
wicked and abomnable a policy. French SYM
pathy is also strongly enlisted the side OF
the Greeks. especially as it IS not believed in
Paris that the Car will permit Russian ships
10 fire upon Prince Georges notilla Italy, Ger
many and Austria-Hungary will be equally re-
luctant to enforce a policy Of coercion against
Greece when a precOncerted plan between
Athens and st. Petersburg is keeny suspected.
4 crisis may be aver:ed by the inaction Of the
Sultan, and order be slowly restored in Crete.
but the fact is clearly recognized in every Con-
tinental capital that the peace of Europe is
menaced in a most alarming way by new mas
sacres in the island and the chivalrous action
of the King OF the Heenes, who has staked
his throne on a mission Of mercy and justice
The stock markets of London, Paris and Ber-
lin have shown signs of nervous alarm in the
last two days Prices of all classes Of securi-
ties have been depressed, and operators for
rise have been dsarmed even with money
cheap and abundant The chief influence felt
by the markets IS fear lest in Southeastern
Europe may be precipitated by the impulsive
action of Greece. While Greek and Turkish
bonds have fallen most heavily, the prices Of
the safest and most gilt-edged home securities
have also been depressed; even American rail-
way shares and bonds have received a setback,
although country in the world would have
more to gain in a business sense from Euro
pean war than the United States. with its re-
serves OF foodstuffs.
Meanwhile the most populous quarter Of the
British Empire is devastated Dy plague and
famine. and overwhelmed by disasters worse
than war. Large the Mansion House charity
fund is, and eXtensl-e the relief works al
ready are. with a capacity Of employing between
two millions and three millions of natives. the
magnitude OF the calamties which have befallen
India is appalling that the Government
seem. reduced to helplessness. The financial
results of the Indian disasters are greater than
any which could be produced by a European
value of their silver boards have shrunk enor-
mousy.
Fear Of the plague has also placed an embargo
on Indian exports the prices Of which are al
ready falling in Southern Europe. The shrink
age in midas purchasing power must he a
disturbing force which Will be felt in the COM
mercial world especially I'm England. for a long
time. Conflicts with nature in the form Of
plague and famine are more formidable In an
economic sense than European war, which
would increase the demand FOR foreign food
products and bring new issues Of bonds into
markets well supplied with money
The antidote for the rnderpest which Or.
Koch is reported to have discovered In South
Africa, If it should prove successful
Pastcurs methods of graduating diseases
among animals, would lead larger results In
promoting peace and prosperity in that part Of
the world than the most ingenious compromise
which Mr.. Chamberlain could devise for the
Of foreign races.
In comparison with a triumph Of science Ike
DR.. Koch's, the British success at Bida In bring
ing another little war to a close is insignf-
cant indeed.
European Parliaments are overwhelmed with
lassitude and dulness. NJ. Hanotaux has taken
Sir Michael Hicks Beach's challenge on the
Egyptian question with amazing GOODNESS. and
the hot fit OF the French press has not lasted
long The British Commons have debated Dis
and other large questions with
langud interest. and finally settled down 10
a second reading Of the Education bill. with
a prospect of making quick work Of IT, The
real fight Of the session is coming the EN-
ployers' Liability bill. which has been enlarged
into a measure of Tory democracy through
the influence OF Mr.. Chamberlain. by dis
cardng the German principle Of a joint fund
for insurance created by employers and work.
men, and by accepting the employers liability
for all accidents. The Government are making
D strnng bid for the sunpOrt OF tAn working