New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-08
TURKEY READY TO STRIKE.
MAssING HER TROOPS ON THE GREEK
FRONTIER
PA1GN OF Won DER GoLTz PAcHA-THE AT.
TITI'DE OF SFRvJA AND RI-ICARIA

PREPARED TO CARRY OUT THE PLAN OF CAM
PA1GN OF Won DER GoLTz PAcHA-THE AT.
TIruDE OF sERv1A AND BULGARIA..
Berlin March THE Powers are in no wise
agreed among themselves to the precise terms
OF an autonomous administration Of the affairs
OF the island Of Crete. nor are they in concert OF
opinion as to how far Turkey shall be allowed to
provoke war In the Balkan peninsula by massing
troops on her frontiers Under the pretext of
self-de\nce the Porte is executing military plans
which no European Government would venture
upon without the backing Of plethoric war
chest, but the Portes capacity for military opera
tons manifested in the case Of the Turco-
Russian war OF 1S76-'17, when as now the bank
ruptcy Of the Ottoman Empire was relied upon
as greater factor in the defeat Of Turkey than
the guns Of the Russians. AS things turned out.
though Turkey was defeated she found ample
funds to conduct creditabe campaign.
When Won der Goltz Pacha the German Cen
eral who was loaned to the Sultan and organized
the present Turkish army. left Turkey it was
derstood that he was thoroughly dsgusted with
the way things were going and that the sever
ance of his relations with the Turkish military
department was approved by the German En-
peror. The Sultan has paid so high tribute to
the services Of Won der Goltz that he has recent
ly besought him to resume his place. assuring
him that he would he the virtual commander-in
chief OF the Ottoman army The German Pacha
declined to return but in reply to the Sutan's in
vitation he has sent plan OF operations to be
put into force upon the Greek frontier based
upon his profound knowledge Of the conditions
under which a campaign against Greece must be
conducted AS Won der Goltz Pacha. when he
severed his connection with the Turkish military
administration. occupied the place Of Second
Chief Of the General Staff of the Turkish army
and was also a member Of the Council Of Turkish
Ministry Of War. it Will be seen that his advice
has had no small influence In the military opera
tions which the Porte has undertaken within the
last month or two. Moreover. the German off,
GERS who are still serving in the Turkish army are
known to be fully capable OF carrying Won
der Goltzs plans into effect and the fact that
many Of the important commands on the Thessa-
liam frontier are now in the hands OF German OIL
GERS may thus be accounted for.
Advices from Constantinople based on trust
worthy authority. show that the Ottoman troops
on the frontier of Thessaly, as we'll upon the
other Turkish borders, are almost in readiness 10
ct upon the offensive and it is asserted that II
the commander-in-chief OF the forces, Edhem
Pacha should receive orders TO move, ne could.
within a week. throw $4,000 well-armed men over
the Greek frontier. including twenty-one batter
les of artillery and ten squadrons Of cavalry.
The headquarters of the Turkish army OF pre-
caution" or defence are now at Monastir. in Mace
donia. 400 miles west Of Constantinople, and
large force Of troops, under the command or
Omar and Nuchad Pachas is much nearer the
frontier. In addition to the mobilization OF the
regular forces the Mustafuz. corresponding 10
the German Landsturm. or second draft OF those
liable TO military duty, have been called to arms
in several districts near the Greek borders. Inc
ostensible reason for summoning this contingent
is that the ordinary redifs. or reserves, Wnich
we're lately called out, have BEEN dchclcnt IN
numbers but the summoning OF any part OF the
Mustafuz Is regarded as ominous or the sultan 3
eynectation that something Of very serious ma
ture is imminent. ,, ,,,,o.
The attitude Of Serva and Bulgaria occupies
tho serious attention Of European diplomacy, ana
n Is the opinion in official circles here that the
conferences which have taken place between
King Alexander of Servia and Prince feruihanu
~ bulgaria have resulted in an agreement 10
MAKO q simultaneous attack upon turkey wheh
tho time for such action shall seem opportuhe'
Runania Is looked upon as having the fntehtlon
70 take an active part in any scheme OF rear
ranging the Balkan boundaries that may ne put
into oneration King Charles Of Rumania, as d
men,her of the Prussan family OF Hohenzoiern'
,oar he relied upon to have the support OF Ger
n,anv In view of eventualities. the RuHaniai
for, works at Kustendje. on the Black Sea ana
the defences at Galatz and Bralia' on 'he D""uo''
are being strengthened and EXTENDED