The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-19
He Says Americans i'm Either Country
VIII BE Protected, and that Uncle
Sam VIII Remain Neutral.
WAR MAY NOT LAST LONG
EFFECT OF ALLIANCE BETWEEN
RUSSIA, GERMANY AND AUSTRIA.
Change i'm the Political Chessboard ot
Europe That May Mean Ill for
England and France.

WASHINGTON, April 1S-The grave sit
uation in the East the topic of dis
cussion in diplomatic and official circles
here to-day. The possibility of war be-
tween Turkey and Greece has been thought
probable for some time, but the official an
nouncement that state of war exists
served to quicken the interest with which
the troubles between the two countries
have been watched. In diplomatic circles,
particularly, where the possibilities of
general conflict in Europe are always re-
garded as more or less imminent if
any of the powers become engaged in war,
the situation was deeply considered.
Among officials of the United States who
expressed any opinion at all the sentiment
seemed general that war between Turkey
and Greece is no matter in which this gov
ernment can in any way become involved;
that what few citizens of the United States
reside in the countries are in the cities.
where they are not liable to be molested.,
and that the only course for this country
to maintain is one of strict neutrality.
Opinions vary as to the duration of the
conflict One prominent officer Of the navy
inclined to the belief that fight 9ng would
continue for short time until the powers
ceeded far enough, when they would step
in and put it to an end.
If any advices were received I'm this city
to-day from the representatives of the
government in Turkey or Greece they could
not be obtained tonight. Secretary Sher-
man had one dispatch from Minister Ter
rell, at Constantinople. 1t was in the
State Department cipher, however. and
Inn ha do
the secretary had call from the Turkish
minister, who remained with him short
time. The secretary declined to say what
had transpired between them. 1t is GUS
tomary when state of war has been de-
clared or hostilities exist for the minister
of the government interested TO notify the
government to which he is accredited OF
such a condition of affairs. and presum-
ably that is what took the minister to the
secretary's house. Secretary Sherman re-
iterated tonight the statements he made
last night, that while the government re-
gretted the existence of war, Turkey and
Greece were so far from us that it was a
matter which concerned the United States
but little. The strictest neutrality, he de-
clared. must be preserved. The secretary
had no fear but that the citizens of the
United States would be amply protected.
Very few of them are in the cities of Con-
stantinople and Athens.
Mustapha Bey the Turkish minister, said
tonight that he had not received any
further dispatches from the government
relating TO the troubles there. He Is ex-
pecting word, however, at any time, as
he probably will be kept fully informed OF
What Is taking place The minister to-
night expressed himself as regretting that
things should have come to the present
pass. Turkey, he declared, IS for peace
peace on honorable terms-and does not
seek war with any nation. The actions of
the Greeks, he asserted, had made the step
taken by his government a perfectly proper
one. Greece had acted Oh the aggressive
and by the actions OF her soldiers had
precipitated the conflict that now seemed
imminent. Her soldiers had invaded Crete,
which was Turkish territory, and had
crossed the frontiers on the main land. He
expressed himself as having no doubt of
the outcome and that Turkey would be
triumphant in the war if it should be
formally declared.
Baron Won Thielman, the German en-
massador, declares that the intrusting of
Turkish subjects in Athens to the protec-
ticn of the German minister has no signif-
canoe whatever. 1t does not mean, he says,
that there is any alliance between the Ger
man and Turkish governments in the pres
ent status, as has been intiTnated in some
quarters, but is simply a friendly act that
is customary in times when diplomatic ne
gotiations between nations are suspended.
He pointed out that during the time that
diplomatic negotiations were suspended be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela, as a
of Great Britain were intrusted to the pro-
lection of the German minister. Again,
during the war in 1877 and 1873 between
Russia and Turkey the Russian subjects
were intrusted to the protection of the
German minister, and the ambassador
added there were no alliances between the
countries.
Up TO this time there has been, so far as
could be learned, no consultation with re-
Sard to reinforcing the fleet OF the United
States in Mediterranean waters. Should
the presence of ships of war of foreign
nations be required in Turkish or Grecian
waters to protect their citizens as a result
Of the impending conflict the United States
could assemble formidable fleet if neces-
sary. In the Mediterranean squadron at
this time the Navy Department has four
ship on the station, the triple screw cruiser
Minneapolis and the cruiser Cincinnati-all
odera Vessels Of high type and q the small
way TO the Mediterranean from the China
station. and now probably is somewhere
near the Red sea. Another addition TO the
fleet will soon be made by the presence of
the Raleigh, which is getting ready to
join the European station. Other vessels
that might be used for service in Europe
If necessary, are the Montgomery Marble
head, Maine and Texas. all of. which are
now on the Atlantic coast. The opinion
exists, however, that the presence OF any
number of war vessels will not be neces-
sary.
NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE.