The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-20
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
How Our Governments' OHicials Took the
News of Declaration of War in Europe.
Fears OF a General European War to
Follow.

Follow.
Washington, April 1.-THE news Of the
crisis in the Cretan situation was the
absorbing topic in official circles here
tonight The bulletins to the Associated
Press were taken to the White house and
to the members Of the cabinet, leading
diplomatic representatives and chairmen
of the foreign committees in congress. SO
that those interested in the event re-
ceived 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-
fiict and that 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 1t would serve as
the spark to start the confiagration
through all Europe.
Secretary Sherman was seen at his resi-
dence tonight and shown the bulletins.
1T Is no surprise to me- said the secre-
tary of state, ''as recent events have
seemed to make war inevitable and have
expected that result to come. Fortunate
ly, the scene Of the reported conflict is
far from us, and the United States has
little or concern with the war. We
will, Of course, observe the strictest neu-
trality as between the parties. This is
natural result from the conditions pre-
ration of neutrality. Our commercial in
terestS with Greece and Turkey are very
small, SO that there is no ground for dis
turbance in that connection. Last year
our exports to Greece amounted to only
s629, 727, an insignificant sum, barely l per
cent. as compared with the total exports.
Turkey exported to the United States
s2el9CO last year, showing similar lack
Of important commercial dealings be-
tween the United States and Turkey.
That being the case, our commercial
geographical and political isolation from
these countries leave US quite free from
fict.'
Mr.. Sherman's attention was called to
the reports some time since that the
United States warship Bancroft might be
sent as a guardship to the United States
minister, Mr.. Terrell at Constantinople
and the secretary was asked if the war
was likely to renew the occasion for a
Warshp in the golden horn.
There has been no talk Of that of late. y
said he, and | see no occasion for any
change in affairs The news tonight in
no way changes the status of our min
listers to Turkey or Greece. Their rights
and immunities are in no way limited
asylum against all disorder. Except in
the profound regret our people will feel
that two nations are involved in war, we
can be in no way involved in the con-
f1ict."
Senator Davis, chairman of the senate
! committee on foreign relations, read the
DulletlnS with great interest and In re-
| SpOnSe to a request for a statement said
THE attitude of the United States will
! OF course, be one of neutrality and q
/ strict observance of treaties. The wal
! can have little direct effec, on US as oul
interests are SO small In that part of the
| world. But it is of profound importance
| to Europe and I fear 1T may be but the
first step toward a conflict involving al
Europe. 1t is almost certain to result un
/ less a quick and decisive victory i:
achieved by one side or the other"
! The Turkish minister, Moustapha Bey
! received the report Of the Associated
Press at the Turkish legation tonight an6
read with great interest the dspatche
from Constantinople. The minister il
-, hopeful that an outbreak may yet b,
! avoided, although he fears that the in
! cursions of the Greek irreguars across
/ the Turkish border may compel Turke.
to take action. He is emphatic in hi
statement that Turkey Is exhausting pos
sible means of averting war.
Representative Hit, chairman of tn
house committee on foreign affairs durin
| the last congress-, and the undOubte'
! chairman Of the new committee, read tn
| early dispatches from Constantinopl
and then commented briefly on the situa
ton. I'm the event of war" said he, 9TH
duty of the United States will be plain t
maintain neutrality and see that ou
| treaty obligations are maintained. TIL
sympathy Of our people will be wit
Greece in this struggle. Compared wit
Turkey, she is weak in military resources
But the Greeks are strong beyond thei
border and there is a large Greek popula
ton within Turkey