The record-union., 1897-04-11
Of the Massacre Of Forty Thousand In
habitants of Scio.
The Memory of This, in Connection
With the Little the Powers Are
Doing by Their Wanted C0nceft,
Not Likely to Put the Greeks in
the Best of Humor.

actual declaration of war between
Greece and Turkey, the situation could
not possibly be graver than it is. To-
morrow is the seventy-fifth anniver-
sary of a day the Greeks have only too
great cause to remember with horror
the massacre by the Turks of 40, 900 of
the inhabitants of the island of SciO
during the war of independence The
memory of this, in connection with the
little the Powers have done by their
Wanted concert, is not likely to put
the Greeks in the humor to withdraw
now, even though King George and his
Ministers are surprised at the immense
army Turkey has unexpectedly put
upon the frontier, we'll armed and or
dered, in spite of her supposed want of
resources, and may foresee the futility
of fighting Turkey if the Powers are
determined, as they threaten, that
neither combatant shall get any ad-
vantages therefrom Whether, once the
fighting commences, the Powers Will
be able to execute their threat is
question of the future. The danger of
the situation is in the fact that Turkey
is undoubtedly anxious to give the
Greeks a lesson, and has only thus far
been prevented from doing so by the
influence of the Powers
The orders which Edhem PaSha, the
Turkish Commanderin-Ch Chief, received
from Constantinople when the invasion
became known were to speedily ascer-
tain whether any soldiers of the regu-
lar Greek army were among the insur-
gents who crossed the frontier. Tele-
grams conflict upon this point, but 1t
may be supposed that Edhem Pasha
will not stop to inquire carefully il
there are suspected Greek officers
among them. The country around Kra-
MIA and Grevena is very fertile, well
wooded and watered and crossed by
narrow roads or bride paths, where
it is impossible to move large bodies
of troops, but extremely favorable to
guerrilla warfare. The Turks have an
entire division of infantry, cavalry and
artillery at Grevena. under command
of Hakkia Pasha. Their positions are
much stronger than those of the Greeks
opposite, and it is believed it will tax
Prince Constantine to the utmost to
prevent some of his troops from flying
to the help of their compatriots.
Interest in Crete itself will now lapse,
and should war break out the Greek
fleet will Immediately proceed to attack
the Turkish islands. The warships Of
the European fleets already there will
hardly suffice to prevent the Greeks
from taking action.
An ominous rumor received in Lon
don to-day is that the Duke of York,
who is a Captain in the royal navy, is
to join the British Channel squadron
after leaving Lord Wolseley, the Com
mander-in Chief of the British forces,
at Gibraltar. The channel squadron
was intended to form the mainstay Of
the jubilee review, bat in the event of
war it will be impossible for the war
ships composing it to take part in the
celebration
The Duke of Connaught, who COM
mands the Aldershot District while in
speeding the Suffolk regiment to-day
previous to it's departure for the island
of Malta to replace the troops which
have been sent to the island of Crete
exhorted them under any circum-
stances to uphold the prestige of the
British army.
So far as the Powers in the concert
are concerned the position to-day ap-
pears unchanged from what it has been
during the week. 1t is understood that
the blockade of Greece hangs fire be-
cause some of the Powers decline to
send the necessary warships, arguing
that as Great Britain possesses the
largest fleet, she ought to endure the
brunt of the work.
Great Britain, however is reluctant
to constitute herself the policeman of
Europe and to discharge a distasteful
duty This state of affairs applies also
TO France and Italy, and certainly to
Admiral Canevaro, the Italian officer
in command of the allied fleets, who
offered to resign rather than take part
in the blockade. In so doing ne rep
resented the feeling of the Italian ma
ton; but in the interest of the concert
of the Powers he was advised 10 remain
at his post.
Great Britain, France and italy favor
concessions which will enable Greece to
recede from her present situation Rus
STA and Austria appear to be rather un-
decided as to what course to pursue
but Russia is credited with the desire
to allow the Cretans to decide their
fate by plebiscite. Germany declines
to yield on any point, and best.ies, is
encouraging Turkey against Greece and
refuses to consent to the broad scheme
of autonomy for Crete which has been
provided by the other Powers
There is rumor at Athens that Ger
many has at last been informed that
if she makes no sacrifices she is not in
a condition to dictate. If this is true
the concert of the Powers may still be-
come something more than mere
name.
In spite of official denials. it is be-
lieved that treaty of alliance between
Servia, Bulgaria and Montenegro is on
the eve of conclusion. The treaty..
however, will require Russa,s approval
and will pledge the three States mem
toned to defend the independence of
their joint territory. 1t was this news
which produced the strained relations
between Bulgaria and Roumania. and
led the Bulgarians to talk of retaking
Dubrudja, which was followed by both
Bulgaria and Roumania massing troops
on the frontier.
Sir William Vernon Harcourts mo-