The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-06
Reports Conflicting in Regard to Peace
Negotiations at Constantlnople.
SULTAN WILL EVACUATE THEsSALY
Transvaa5 Raid Figures In the Public
Prints AEnin-PnrliIncntn Com.
mittec Dcnounccd-SInshtu at.
tack by William II. Stead-Jnpnn
Orders n Big Battlcship.
London, Eng, June 6; 1897

.
Conflicting news is published about
the progress Of the peace negotiations at
Constantlnople. On one side the Sultan
is said to have adopted a most unyield-
ing attitude, and on the other hand he
is declared TO be showing q conciliatory
disposition, and that the settlement Of
the questions in dispute is only q matter
Of a few days. The Associated Press,
however. learns that the ambassadors
at Constantinople are hopeful that the
! Negotiations will be concluded in about
week. in the event of Turkeys accept
ance of the peace conditions proposed
by the powers. There is now little doubt
the Sultan has decided to agree to the
evacuation OF Thessaly, and the Turkish
public Is being prepared for this step
The police OF Constantinople have been
ordered to contiscate the leaflets which
are being circulated, demanding annex
alton OF the conquered territory as q
| duty devolving upon he Sultan. The
war songs are also being suppressed in
order to Stifie the fanaticism Of the
lower classes. 1t is considered probable
that the conclusion of peace between
Turkey and Greece will be followed by
complete change of the Turkish Cab
met as the palace clique will endeavor
TO saddle the ministry with al the re-
| sponsibility for the peace conditions.
The parliamentary committee. which
has been inquiring into the Transvaal
| raid, is assailed by a storm Of denuncia
| tion owing TO It's decision not to press
the production of the missing cable mes
Sages exchanged between Dr.. Ruther-
ford Harris and Mr.. Cecil Rhodes and
| certain parties in England.
| The newspapers Of all shades Of opin-
| ion view this decision with the great
| est dlstrust, and insist that the reputa-
| ton of Great Britain is involved In q
! thorough probing OF the matter
The Daily News publishes a regular
Indictment against the committee and
| asks why the latter has not insisted
upon the production Of the cable mes.
SageS or of the colonial office copies of
| these messages, why the committee has
not insisted upon the production of the
confidential communications between
the colonial office and Sir Hercules Rob-
inson dord Rosmead), the then Cover
nor of Cape Colony; why Lord Grey, who
conducted most Of the negotiations with
the Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Mr.. Chamberlin, was not called, and
why NIr. Rhodes was not recalled and
questioned about the cable messages.
The Daily news also cites q number Of
cases where clues and questions affect
ing the colonial Offices connection with
the affair were not followed up, or were
not asked. and concludes: THE commit.
tee has been committee Of no inquiry.
Unless 1t reconSiders its decision 1t will
cover itself with ridicule and contempt
| and strike a fatal blow at the efficiency
| OF Parliament
| The most slashing attack comes from
| the pen of William r. Stead, who,
! though pro-Rhodes, urges that full light
| be turned upon the whole matter He
heads his article, flushed Up" and
proceeds in immoderate language to de-
| scribe the proceedings as Il most shame
ful conspiracy which suggests falsehood
| to conceal the truth and mislead the ma
| tion, declaring that the committee is
| deceiving the public in order to screen
| Mr.. Chamberlin, who, according to Mr.
| Stead, "ought to have owned frankly
| that he winked at the patriotic but revo-
| lutionary enterprise"
| Continuing, Mr. Stead says: "Mr
| Chamberlin, no doubt, would have had
to resign. but it would only have been
Il temporary eclipse, and his position
with the country would have been
| stronger than ever. Instead Of this hon
| est course, the watchword seems to have
| been given as Lie, Lie. Lie"
! Japan has ordered a battleship Of II :.
| 600 tons TO be built on the Clyde. She
! will be Il duplicate OF the British bat
tleship Jupiter. The Jupiter is of 800
tons, and $4,000 indicated horsepower
Her coal capacity Is 1850 tons and she is
| manned by crew OF 757 men. Her
J speed is to be seventeen knots. and she
carries nine inches Of IIarveyized steel
| armor on her sides.
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