Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-01
King George Would go to War.

king said:
1.-The great powers should take warn
ing before it is too late. The Greek
nation cannot endure this state of af-
fairs much longer, and the stu
alton will become uncomfortable. The
world has never witnessed such a
spectacle as six powerful nations
acting in the name of Christian civili-
zation, surrounding an island with
their warships, and starving noble
Christian people, whose only offense is
that that they have fought for their
liberty. While doing this, the nations
are feeding and upholding their saw
age Turkish oppressors.
The lines in the kings face grew
herd and his big brown eyes flashed,
while the veins stood ont with painful
distinctness in his temples, his lips
trembled, and his voice shook with
emotion, as he said;
1T is hard to restrain the natural
impulse of the Greek army, to vindi-
cate the honor of their flag. and to pre-
vent an advance on the Turkish forces
which threaten our northern frontier.
Now it is said that the powers are
threatening to blockade Volo, the
naval base of our forces in Thessaly.
1t would be an infamous thing to do
while the Turkish army menaces our
territory. If it is done, it will be use
less to attempt to hold our troops back
any longer and | will order them to
go forward. My mind is made up.
War Seems Inevitable.
Athens: Crown Prince Constantine.
who has been chosen to take command
of the Greek forces on the frontier,
started for Volo An immense demon
stration was made before the palace
previous to his departure. Constitu
ton square and streets adjacent were
filed with an excited throng, cheering
and singing patriotic songs. The pop
ulace shouted "for union and war;"
and cheered continually for the crown
prince and the army. An immense
throng, including many thousands of
Cretans, assembled on the quays at
Piraeus, brilliantly illuminated by lime
lights from houses in the vicinity, to
witness the embarkation. The widest
enthusiasm was displayed A deputa-
ton presented to the crown prince a
copy of the resolutions which were
adopted at public meeting, declaring
that the people of Athens and the
Piraeus were faithful Interpreters of
the sympathies of the nation, which
was ready TO make any sacrifice OF,
blood ts-money' in THE c1ust- of Crete.
Crown Prince Constantine replied as
follows: Have confidence in me.
know my duty. Rest assured | shall
acquit myself like soldier"
1t is officially stated that the ques-
ton of declaring war depends upon
the present negotiations with the pow
ers No man on the streets of Athens
believes this, all accepting the depart
ure of the crown prince as indicating
that Greece has come to definite de-
finite decision to go to war. That the
departure of the crown prince is really
serious matter was evinced by the
touching fareweils of the king and
queen. The crown princess accompa-
MED him as far as Larissa, and during
the passage of the Egripos canal Prince
George joined them for short time TO
bid his brother adieu.
An Athens dispatch says 1t is stated
on the best of authority that war may
be expected to break out at any time,
most probably near Arta. The Greek
military preparations GO on unceas-
ingly on a large scale.
At Salonica the officials do not con-
ceal their belief in the probability of
war. They are enthusiastic, but not
fanatical. The work of mobilization
proceeds rapidly. Should war break
there is little doubt that Greece will
do her best to remain on the defensive
on the land, but will take the offensive
at sea, with a view to capturing the
islands in the Aegean sea.
The Turkish camp at Elassona is re-
garded as the key to Macedonia and is
being very strongly intrenched. A
well equipped hospital has been estab
lished at Salonica by the Turks. Field
hospitals have been established at
Elassona, Monastir, Janina and other
points. 1t is reported that an advance
of the Turkish army is imminent.
Fresh divisions are mobilizing at Pre-
vesa and Katrina. The consuls are
quitting the frontier districts. Rein
forcements continue to arrive from
Ferediek Over 20, 600 Turkish troops
are now on the frontier. A thousand
horses with tons of provisions, tents
and ambulances are going forward, to-
gether with siege artillery and 10000
Martini rifles.
The Turkish squadron has left the
Dardanelles, part of the ships proceed
ing to smyrna and the remainder to
Salonica.
A dispatch from Rome says the Off
Gals of the foreign Office consider that
war between Turkey and Greece is in
evitable.
The members of the diplomatic corps
at st. Petersburg now greatly appre-
bend serious complications in Macedo-
MIA which will jeopardize the peace OF
Europe.
The Exchange bank of Edmore has
closed its doors. Inability TO realize
quickly on assets is the cause. II is be-
lieved that the bank will open again.