The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-14
Crete Passing Unoppe ssd Into
1he Ha DIS # Gre c..
rs EUROPE r ElGNING ALARM
SEEMINGLY THE POWERS ARE
AFTER A DIVIDE.
The SULTAN STILL TRusTFuL
while the Little island is Enveloped
With the Great Navies, and the
Peace of Europe Hangs by
Delicate Threads.
Delicate Threads,

tCopyriht, 1897, by the Associated Press
London, Feb 13-All Europe is watch
ing the Cretan fireworks display with
the greatest anxiety as a spark may set
all Europe ablaze. Everybody IS agreed
that the present moment is the most
critical since the powers interyened -
Turkish affairs. The daring action OF
Greece IN sending Prince George with
torpodo tlotilla to Crete has caused q tre-
mendons fiutter IN the European cabinets
Telpgranhic DISPATCHES on the subJect
have been flying across the comment pc
tween the different governments ana
their embassies. Unusual activity pre-
walls at the British foreign office. leie-
grams from the east have arrived III
rapid succession and the Marquis OF sans
bury yesterday had special interviews
with the Russian, Austrian and German
Ambassadors. The Importance OF these
conferences can be gauged by the fact
that Count Won Hatzfeldt, the German
Ambassador, went to the foreign office,
although he was in such feeble health
that he was unable to meet the ex-Em-
press Frederick on her arrival in London
yesterday and had to be carried up stairs
at the foreign office
The Greek note to the powers JUSTIFY
ing The attitude Of Greece towards Crete
is couched in such strong terms as to be
regarded in official circles here as almost
tantamoInt to declaration OF war
against Turkey.
This menacing attitude towards Turkey
is quite yolte face upon the part OF
King George, who has hitherto shown
moderate. pacific disposition and there Is
considerable speculation for the reason
FFa. sss 4aH
Greece must be able TO count upon the
support of some influential persons and
the tolerance of others and indications
point TO Russia as her baeker, Apparently
King George. pushed by the National
feeling in Greece. has been trying to ex-
pedite matters by bold stroke. Accord
ing to advices from Athens, the excite
ment in Greece was so great that the
King either had to yield or pack his trunk
and leave the country for ever.
But dispatches to-day show that the
passions Of the Greeks are thoroughly
aroused Throughout the country meet
ings are being held and subscriptions In
aid Of the Cretans are being raised
Dispatches from the European capitals
indicate sympathy with Greece; but the
governments fear that if Greece is allow
ed 10 annex Crete an uprising in the
Balkans viii occur and that efforts viii
be made there TO throw off the Turkish
yoke. All the Balkan states, except
Romania, are ready TO rise. Macedonia
especially is eager to fly at the Turkish
throat.
If Greece Is involved in war with Tur-
key, the whole peninsula viii speedily
be converted into a huge cock pit. This
is the reason the powers now oppose
Greece's annexing Crete until the whole
scheme for the partition Of Turkey Is
agreed upon among the powers. Several
foreign newspapers are already discussing
the division Of the spoils and French
diplomat, the Comte de Chaudory, to-day
In nm interview, says he thinks that the
collapse of Turkey is now inevitable.
Russia, he adds, win probably take
Armenia. France viii get Syria and
England will retain Egypt.
INTO THE HANDS or GREECE.
(Copyright 1907 by the Associated Press.)
Athens, Feb. 13.-rhere Is a change
for the better here to-day. The people
are becoming calmer and the public Of
ficials are betraying anxiety as to the
eventual outcome Of the demonstration
of Greece. ia behalf Of the Cretan insur-
gents. 1T Is now known that very strong
pressure has been brought to bear upon
Ett9A
and that equally strong pressure has
been exercised upon the Sultan of Tur
key in order to prevent an outbreak of
bostil:ties between Greece and Turkey.
The latter country is understood to have
agreed not TO send troops to Crete and
the powers, in return, are believed to be
restraining Greece from actively inter
ferng in Crete.
Az the same time there is evidently
danger i'm the direction Of Thessally and
Macedonia for Greek troops are being
hurriedly dispatched to the frontiers and
renorts from Salonika say that the Turks
are Quietly mastering an army corps
there. IN order to be prepared Tor emer-
gencies.
The situation in the island Of Crete has
somewhat improved. Desult0ry hghting
Is still reported and It is stated here that
the insurgents are practically IN posses
SION OF the whole island, with the excep-
tion of the larger towns. If this is the
case. the un:onof Crete with Greece hay
ing been formally proclaimed. the inde-
nendence Of the Cretans from Turkish
rnle a almost fait accompli and 1t is
djffienlt TO see how the pre-existing order
~ things can be restored without joint
action npon the part of the powers and
. military occupation OF Crete by the
foreign fleets. Ia official circles here,
+bia ou+eone is not believed to be posi-
bla and there il a disposition now to
a,,iotlv allow events TO take their natural
eanrse the idea being That Crete is prac-
t;callv free and that the island is likely
- rarnain SO unless suidned by the pow
arg Therefore the question to be dis