The record-union., 1897-04-19
EASTERN RTTsTNESs HOUSES.
THE EASTERN WAR.

Without formal declaration by Tur-
key, was has nevertheless broken out
between the Porte and the Grecian
Government, and the former has gone
so far as to recognize the condition and
order the commander of the Turkish
forces tostake the offensive. One en-
gagement has already taken place, and
rumors are at hand of others.
The Sultan claims that Greece is the
aggressor; that she has permitted her
armed men to invade Macedonia, and
that he, the Sultan, is driven by the
inevitable to resist the invasion. He,
however, so far puts himself in favor
with the Powers as to offer to withdraw
his forces from the border if Greece will
do likewise and also withdraw her SOL
diery from Crete.
This latter exaction King George Will
scorn, of course. Practically, therefore,
we may consider Turkey and Greece at
war at this moment The probability
of the conflict, viewed from a military
standpoint, is the defeat of Greece, be-
force, its soldiery is not so well armed,
it's reserve capacity is very limited, it
has a smaller naval force, a most ex
posed seacoast, with a host of island
possessions forming part of the King
dom, that an enemy can easily occupy
and above all she has pitted against the
wiles, fears and selfshness of the great
Powers of Europe.
On the other hand, the Turks have an
army greatly in excess of that of
Greece, we'll disciplined and armed with
the latest and best devices of warfare,
especially with a fine equipment of ar
tillery. in which arm the Greeks are
notably deficient. The Turkish troops
are for most part fanatical MOslems,
and being fatalists are supposed to be
careless regarding the chances of death.
Invasion of Greece from the Macedo-
MAN side is less difficult than invasion
of Macedonia from the Greek side of
the line because the Turks have behind
them excellent rail and road connec-
tions, with a base of supply far supe-
rior to that of Greece, and not exposed
to any assault, while the Grecian base
is very likely to be crippled by blockade
of ports and loss of communication and
transportation from it with the outside
world, while Turkish commerce and con-
nection with outside trade will not be
interrupted.
on the other hand, the Greeks are a
patriotic and valorous people, and are
fired by the hope, dear to every Grecian
heart, Of recovering much of the terri
tory of ancient Greece, and re-estab-
fishing something of the grandeur and
Importance of the old Greek Empire
Greece will have the sympathy of most
of the civilized world, and sympathy
will cheer though it cannot fight The
Greeks are harder than the Turks, and
if the war is a long one will wear better
under its trials. They will have a good
deal of volunteer help from adventur-
ers, and not a little from absent sons
They have, as we view it, right on their
side while Turkey is to fight for reten-
ton of that she took by force of arms
and without a shadow of right save
that of conquest
1t is improbable that the European
Powers will desire to see the war &c
on if we except Germany There viii
therefore develop very early an effort
to put an end to the conflict Out OF
this effort. however, it is very probable
that friction will develop that will in
volve all Europe in war. II that
comes on. no man may.venture to. fore.
cast the utcOme.