The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-18

Turkish Ministry Decides
Flat a State of War
Exists.
The PORTE IS INCLINED TO BE PACIFIC.
Willing to Call Hostilities
Off if Greece viii
Be Good.

CONSTANTINOPLE, April 1.-THE
council Of ministers, after a session at
the palace today, declared that war
had broken out on the frontier, owing
to the incursion by the Greeks on
Turkish territory, and Edhem Pasha,
the Turkish military commander, was
ordered to assume the offensive. This
announcement of the actual existence
Of an actual state Of war on the 'front.'
ier was at first misunderstood, re-
ports that the council of ministers had
declared war upon Greece being wide
ly circulated. 1t was also reported
that the council of ministers had de-
cided to recall Assim Bey, the Turkish
minister at Athens, and give passports
to Prince Maurocordato, the Greek
minister at ConstantinOple. These re-
ports of the severance of all diplO-
matte relations between Turkey and
Greece have been denied. The situa-
ton is summed up in a detailed cir
cular sent this evening to the Turkish
representatives abroad. This circular
recalls the weeks invasion of Turkish
territory and states that the newest
incursions were participated in by
The circular expresses the hope that
the powers, in a spirit Of justice, will
agree that the entire responsibility for
the war falls on Greece. Turkey has
no idea Of conquest, the circular adds,
and as a fresh proof Of pacific senti-
ments the sublime porte offers to re-
tire the Turkish troops on the frontier
if Greece will retire her forces from
the frontier and from Crete.
LONDON, April 1S.-The Greco-Turk-
ish situation is understood here to be
substantially as follows: War has not
been officially declared between Turkey
and Greece, but it has been declared
officially ito have broken out" The
Turkish cabinet has decided to sever
diplomatic relations with Greece, and
has ordered Edhem Pasha, the COM
mander of the Turkish forces, to take
the offensive. 1t is considered in Lon
don that war between Turkey and
Greece has actually begun, the Turk
ish declaration that war has "broken
out" being merely for the purpose Of
automatically putting the onus of the
war upon Greece.
ATHENS, April 17.-1O3O p. m.-The
cabinet has decided to protest to the
of Turkey An invasion by Edhem
Pasha, the Turkish commander, is ex-
pected, and the Greek army has taken
up positions for the purpose of being
in readiness to repel the advance.
Athens, April 17.-10 p. m.-Orders
were sent this afternoon to the Greek
troops to keep strictly on the defensive,
but to maintain their positions at all
| cost.
PARIS, April ia dispatch from
| COnstantinOple says that the sublime
| porte has sent a communication to the
| ambassadors, pointing out that if the
| Greeks have succeeded in crossing the
| frontier, taking the Turkish positions
| at many points, it is because Edhem
| Pasha, the Turkish commander, de-
| sired to carry out instructions to the
! effect that he should remain on the
| defensive in order to prove beyond dis
| pute that the Greeks were the ag-
| gressors.
Athens, April 17.-In the legislative
! chamber today the premier, M. DEFY
! annis, confirmed the dispatches an
! nOuncing fighting between the Greeks
and Turks on the frontier He added
! that the firing had ceased. In replying
! to interpretations, the premier said
| that official adVices from the frontier
! left no question about the Turks being
the aggressOrs in Friday evenings
fighting. AT Nezero, the Turks at
| tempted to occupy a strategic position
situated in the neutral zone This the
| Greeks could not permit. Thereupon
| the Turks opened fire, the Greeks re-
plying. The fight lasted from early
! evening until midnight and ended in a
repulse of the Turks. This morning
! the Turks again attempted to occupy
| this same position, and again were
repulsed. After the firing ceased or
ders were issued to the Greeks to
maintain their positions, but to avoid
provoking encounters with the Turks.