New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-08
SULTAN THANKS THE CZAR
GRATEFUL FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF
THE INTEGRITY OF TURKEY.
CALM PREVAILS IN ATHENS AFTER THE EXCITE
MENT OF INDEPENDENCE DAY-A sEPA-
RATE PROPOSAL FROM RUSSIA


MENT OF INDEPENDENCE DAY-A sEPA-
RATE PROPOSAL FROM RUSSIA
ON THE FRONTIER.
London. April THE Paris correspondent Of
THE Times" says the Sultan has addressed an
autograph letter to the Car expressing his ex-
treme satisfaction at the energy which the Car
has displayed in getting the Powers to adopt
the principle Of the integrity Of Turkey. The
Sultan hopes that neither Russia nor the other
Powers will abandon that attitude; he solemnly
afiirms his profound Difference TO Europe and his
extreme desire to conform to its wishes and
counsels. and adds that he considers the ex-
preston OF desire on the part Of the Powers as
legitimate and dictated by a sentiment Of
genuine friendship for the Ottoman people. their
sovereign and empire.
Athens. April THE Identical notes OF warn
ing delivered yesterday by the representatives
Of the Powers to NJ. Skouzes the Greek Minister
for Foreign Affairs. have had little appreciable
effect The newspapers to-day declare that they
are really OF no practical value in rendering the
issues more certain. because Greece is well aware
that the agreement between the Powers Is quite
Fictitious.
A complete calm characterizes the whole city
to-day, although placards have been posted in
many places strongly advocating war. This
evening military patrols have paraded the prln-
cpal streets The evening newspapers censure
the clamor for
Throughout yesterday evening the palaces Of
King George and OF the Crown Prr ce Constan-
tin we're blazing with lights. and the city gen
orally was a mass Of illumination in celebration
OF the anniversary Of the declaration Of Greek in
dependence in 1897, The displays Of fireworks
were numerous and in all parts Of Athens there
were patriotic assemblages; warlks orations
were delivered. and the speakers were greeted
with cheers for the King and for war. In the
evening there was a grand military tattoo, in
which all the bands in the city. at their full
strength took part. The whole population
thrOnged the streets. cheering everybody and
everything with enthusiasm. and at 1 o'clock the
crowds were still parading, singing patriotic
songs and cheering for war with the Turks But,
in spite of this probably unprecedented demon
stratioa of loyalty and patriotism, II ere were no
disturbances worth noting. The utmost good
humor prevailed. and the duties Of the police con-
sisted mainly in attempting to restrain the patr-
otto ardor Of the dense of people who
pressed around the palaces The square In front
of the Kings palace was packed with people until
a late hour, all clamoring to His Majesty and
shouting for war.
General Coroneos a retired military man and
lifelong agitator. led the biggest crowd which
marched TO the Kings palace yesterday after
noon, and II was evident from the excitement
which prevailed that the people are bent on war
at any cost, unless all the demands Of Greece are
acceded to by the Powers.
1t Is rumored here that Russia has made a
separate proposal TO the effect that. II Greece
will consent to withdraw her troops from the
island of Crete Russia will agree to obtain from
T,,rlxa Will
from Crete soon as the Greek evacuation Is
completed, and that Russia Will further promise
that Prince George OF Greece shall be sent as
Greek Prince. to organize the Cretan gendar-
merle. Greece, still according TO report, prompt
" rejected these propositions.
There was intense excitement yesterday at
Iarnaca Island of Cyprus. where the Greek In
dependence Day was duly celebrated by the
Greeks and others In the evening there was
torchlight procession TO the Greek Consulate and
snceches in favor OF the union of the islands OF
Crete and Cyprus to Greece were dell !ered. The
Turks were greatly irritated az this pro-Greek
demonstration and a conflict between the pa
rade:5 and the Mussuifnahs WIS WIZ" u'ii'0u'N'
averted.
At Elassona. the Turkish headquarters in
from long before sunrise. The greatest tension
prevailed during the morning. but this FEELING
gradually wore off as the hours passed without
any aggressive movement upon the part OF the
Greeks Both sides are continuing their war
preparations. erecting earthworks and other de-
fences and strengthening their positions In the
passes leading into each others territory
II is believed thar some decided change In the
political situation must take place before long, as
the Turkish Government has plainly intimated 10
the representatives Of the Powers that the exist
ing conditions cannot he allowed TO prevail mucn
longer Every day Of delay now benefits Greece,
which country was not so well prepared as Tur-
KEY for war; and the German officers on the stan
~ Edhem Pacha, the Turkish Commander In
chief are not blind 10 this fact, and are under
stood 10 have made strong representations on the
subject.
However the Powers Interested In preserving
peace are still working steadily In that direction.
and all kinds Of pressure are being brought TO
bear upon both Turkey and Greece in order 10
prevent a clash Of arms on the frontier
In view of the possibility Of blockade OF the
Pirpus and other Greek ports, the work or send
ing war material. ammunition and stores to the
frCnt has been actively pushed night ana DAY
since the threat was first made. that little now
remains to be shipped TO the front so that the
ostensible object OF the blockade cannot be at
al cd