The morning news., 1897-07-08
TURKEY THREATENS TROUBLE.
SULTAN TO PUT THE CONCERT TO n
SEVERE TEST.

He suspects That the Powers VIII
Not Resort to CoerciOn-A Council
of His Ministers Draws Up Re-
port In Favor of Resuming HOstiI-
tiles If Peace Is Not Concluded I'm
Wcek-TurISey Demands Fron-
tier Line south of the River Pens
eIOs.
London. July 7.-Graeco- Turkish af-
fairs appear to be re-enterlng an interests
ing stage To-day the porte dispatched a
circular to its representatives abroad cons
tanning a skillful defense OF the Turkish
case and declining to consider any fron-
tier line in Thessaly north OF the River
Peneois, which It regards as the natural
boundary II appears that the sultan has
convinced himself that the powers VIII
not resort to coercion and has decided to
test the alleged concert Of Europe to the
utmost. On Wednesday he summoned a
council of ministers for an extraordinary
sitting to the Yildlz kiosk, with the re-
suit that after heated discussion the re-
port was drawn up in favor of resumina
hostilities If peace should not be conclud-
ed within a week. The minister of war
sent kilograms to Edhem Pasha ln~
forming him of the decision.
This accords with all tho
news received for the last ten days. The
Turks are rapidly strengthening their po-
sitions in Thessaly, massing troops at
Dhomoke fortifying Velestino, and In
other ways lntrenching themselves mora
firmly. The Thessalian harvest mas been
already reaped by the Turkish soldiers and
large quantities OF grain have been stored
at Elassona.
According to clrcumstantlal report OF a
conversation between the sultan and an
officer of his household. Abdul Hamid
complained that the war had been forced
on him and that when he was victorious
Europe refused him either territory or In.
demnity. Therefore, he intended to re-
sist 70 the utmost. He said: I'VE have
nothing 10 fear. The six powers failed
to coerce Vassos and his 1000 adventurers-
What can they do against 100000 victorious
troops in Roumelia?"
"Edhem was a fool not TO have sur~
rounded the Greek army and to have adj
vanced to Athens, but he may be thera
yet. III no concessions are made within a
vance. We can dictate our own terms
from the Acropols. Everything Is ready
for immediate action"
According TO this report, the sultan dis
cussed the possibility Of Russia and Ger
many attempting coercion, and declared
that he was entirely ready to meet them
both.
The foregoing may be, perhaps only a
bluff, and II Is even alleged In some quar-
ters, among others by the italian admiral.
Canavero, at Crete, that peace is actually
over But II Is significant that Gen.
Smoensld had long conferences with King
George and NJ. Rail- at Athens to-day and
will start for Thermopylae tomorrow to
assume the command of the first division.
The distress OF Greece, owing to the stag
nation of tDade and industry has become
very serious. In Crete there Is continued
signs Of unrest.
The Mohammedans of Gambia are pre@
pairing to attack the wealthy Christian
town Of Archanes.
Constantinople, July 7.--Rusisa has sena
a circular note to the powers suggesting
that steps be taken to expedite the conclu-
sion of peace between Greece and Turkey.
This action on the part Of Russia is re-
garded here as being of the greatest inn
portance and as indicating that Russia de-
sires to forestall a similar proposal on tha
part of the other powers.
Both the palace and Turkish ministers
were Immediately informed Of Russla'a
action. The German ambassador here,
Baron Sauorna Won Jeltsch, has received
fresh and precise Instructions TO insist up
on Turkeys acceptance upon the strategic
frontier proposed by the powers