Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-31

little actual fighting has taken place on
the island, the diplomatic negotiations have
been such as to awaken the liveliest in.
terest throughout both America and Eu-
rope. At times 1t seemed almost as If IN
immediate rupture with Spain was inevi-
table. The government at Madrid was dis
posed 10 hold the United States respon.
sible for the proIongatioa of q war which
Its ablest generals, supported by almost
unlimited supplies OF troops and munitions
of war, had been unable. to SUPPRESS
Claim was made that the insurrection
was supported by supplies Of men and arms
furnished by fIibustering expeditions fitted
out from the United States. This charge
however, has been successfully refuted by
evidence Of vigilance, both on the part OF
President Cleveland's administration and
later that Of President Mckinley.
A climax was reached in the situation by
the fall of the CanovaS ministry at Madrid
after the assassination OF the premier by
an anarchist August 8, and the establish
ment Of liberal ministry under Senor
SagaSta. This change in the make I'D OF
the government was followed by q
change in the military policy on the island.
General Weyler was succeeded by General
Blanco. Contemporary with the change OF
generals came q more humane system OF
warfare. The government, at Madrid also
formulated a scheme of autonomy or self
government which was proposed to the in
surgents and which is now pending with
little hope of acceptance by the cubans in
The insurgent leaders gave it out that
any agent bearing proposals for peace on
the basis of the autonomy proposed by
the Spanish government would be treated
as spy and shot. Colonel Ruiz. promi-
nent Spanish officer who attempted, in the
face of this announcement, to reach an old
friend, General Aranguren. with such pro-
posals, lost his life for his temerity.
The DrO-SnanjS element on the island
seemed to regard the autonomy scheme
with little more favor than the tnsur-
gents. and with their pronounced an
tipathy to the United States openly de-
clare that they would prefer annexation to
this country rather than genuine autonomy.
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION.
The next in Importance IN general interest
to the Cuban question was the proposed
treaty of annexation offered by the govern
ment at Hawaii. A treaty proposing such
annexation was presented to the Hawaiian
senate by the president June 16, and was
unanimously ratified by the senate and the
president of the republic September 10, and
only awaits the favorable action of the
United States Senate to effect the complete
Incorporation Of the islands into the domain
of the United States. The question of the
annexation of the islands has given rise to
widespread discussion I'm the press of the
country and to considerable private invesu-
CATION on the part of members of the
United States Senate who made visits to
the islands for that purpose. 1t remains
one Of the most importaik Questions of the
day for settlement by the american people
through their representa- ves in the Senate.
GREECO-TURK1sHs
Early in the beginning OF the present year
the eyes of all Christendoah We're directed at
the conflict between Turkey and Greece.
Reports of the outrages upon Christian Ar
menians by overpoweringn numbers of Turks
were still fresh in the minds of Christian
Europe when the little Kingdom of Greece
suddenly declared war on the sultan for
similar outrages allowed by his subjects in
the Island Of Crete. The claim was. made
that an overwhelming portion of the popu-
lation Of that historic island was Greek by
nationality and Christian in religion. Grave
complaint was made of the intolerance
practiced under Turkish suzerainty. The
complaint Of the Cretans was taken up by
their kinsmen in the kingdoprof Greece and
war sentiment at once. developed, which
King George was wholly unable to sup
press. To have opposed this sentiment
would have undoubtedly resulted in his
downfall.
February z the fnsurgent Christians of
Halepa formally proclaimed union of
Crete with Greece, and a few days later
fleet of torpedo boats under command Of
Prince George Of Greece was sent to the is
land. note was formulated and sent out
to the European powers declaring that
Greece could no longer remain a spectator
of events in Crete and that the ties Of race
and religion compelled her to intervene In
The reserves were calledcput and an army
under Col. Vassos was dispatched to the
island.
The sultan made vigorous protest tc
the powers against the action of Greece.
and threatened to retaltate by invading
Thessaly. This was quickly followed by
combined action Of the European powers,
ordering the occupation of the Cretan ports
by their warships and the prevention Of
the landing of more Greek reinforcements
a demand was also made upon Greece tc
withdraw her forces from the island.
Meantime, the scene of hostilities chang
ed from Crete to Greek frontier in Thes-
sally. Toward the end of March Greek
force Of 10000 men had assembled in Thes.
sally, under command of its crown prince,
Constantine. The Turkish government was
equally active, and troops were hur-
ried toward the GreciaH border. Edhem
forces. consisting of about 10000 thor
oughly equipped and armed men. War was
formally declared by Turkey April 16, and
active hostiities began at once. Severe
mountains, in which the Turks were uni
formly victorious. Though the Greeks wor
few brilliant battles they were defeated
il the general plan Of the campaign, and
toward the last began general retreat
which seemed little less than disgrace
full. May 16 the porte agreed to an armis-
tice, under the following conditions: An
nexation of Thessaly and indemnities of
about $44,0O0.OO0; abolition of the capitu.
lations or treaties comforting privileges
upon the Greek in the Ottoman empire, and
a treaty of extradition with Greece. AL
Europe protested against the harsh terms
proposed by the porte. The Gear of Rus
STA in a personal letter asked the sultan
to stop the war and provide for an ar
mistice. Immediately Edhem Pasha was d.
rected from Constantinople to arrange an
armistice with the Creek commander. May
20 an armistice for seventeen days was
concluded, and no fghtiIigs took place
thereafter.
The question of the csssfoA Of Thessaly
was referred to military commission that
reported adversely to the demands of Tur.
key, recommending no ceBsi6n beyond the
mountains SUBMITS on the Turkish from.
tier. The indemnity finally agreed upon
was $15,0OO,0OO. to be paid ouf OF the reve..
nues of the kingdom. under guarantee of
the powers. AS a result OF tie war Greece
became more than ever award Of the great
powers Of Europe.
vICTORIA's DIAMOND yUBILEE.