Connecticut western news., 1897-03-04
CRISIS IN THE LEVANT
ALL EUROPE IS NOW LIKELY TO BE
 PLUNGED INTO WAR.
The Hellenic Kingdom, if Coerced. Will Declare War on Turkey-Cretan Imbro- xIio Merging Into the Larger Question of the Fate of the Ottoman Empire.

LONDON, March 3.-It is no longer pos. sible to deny that the situation in the east has become ono of the utmost gravity. The Cretan crisis Is rapidly merging into the larger question of the fate of the Otto- man empire, and 1t Is becoming strongly probable that It's radical solution will speedily be forced upon Europe.
 It has repeatedly been declared by Lord Salisbury and other high authorities dur ing the past year that the only possible so- lution of this question is by the sword. It was only a week ago that Mir Balfour as- sured the house of commons in the most solemn language that a general European war was inevitable If the partition of the Turkish empire were attempted.
 The exact limits of the long pending agreement of the powers were made known last night 1t was decided to send two notes to the Greek government, the first of which was delivered in Athens last evening. It requests Greece to withdraw her troops and fleet from Crete within six days. No threats are made in this commu. nication.
 If, however, the mandate be disobeyed, the second note will be dispatched notify. ing the intention to employ coercion un. less the demand be promptly complied with.
 Greece wnI Not Yield.
 It is now a matter of practical certainty and is understood by the powers them selves that Greece will refuse to yield either to the request or threat. It is expected further that in the event of any pressure whatever from the powers she will declare war against Turkey and within a few days begin campaign in Macedonia and Thessaly. It Is virtually admitted that the powers arc not prepared for any such exi gency, and 1t is scarcely hoped that they will be able to deal with 1t in harmony. In fact, it is now an open secret that they have been able to reach the present point of agreement only with the greatest al H. culty, and that the bonds which hold them together at this moment are of the weak. est description.
 The situation indeed is so threatening that the government has made 1t known privately to the leaders of the Opposition, so 1t is stated in the lobbies of the hou SC of commons. that 1t would be unwise and unpatriotic to embarrass them by serious criticism in the debate on Crete. Therefore 1t was opened by Sir William Harcourt in a speech so mild and colorless that it as. tonished his followers until the explana tion was privately circulated.
 1t should be added that many members of the opposition do not share the govsrn. ment's belief that general war will fol low hostilities between Greece and Turkey.
 Several days of inactivity may at all events be expected before any decisive steps are taken, and the tension may relax in the interval
 Great Britain meantime, following the example of Russia, has begun extraordl nary preparations for any eventuality. Dispatches from all the navy yards In the kingdom say that work has been begun In every department on even greater scale than when the flying squadron was sud. denly equipped for sea a year ago.