The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-25


There r. a mystery connected with The
Crscian question which may never be Dis
closed, bat whose presence Is made IN
snlsfakabiy manifest by the attitude OF
that government Desperate as the kings
position was before the people when be de-
cIared his purpose to seize Crete. he would
not have so daringiy deaed the rest OF
Europe unless ne had assurances Of secret
aid from a powerful source.
The history Of Europe during the past
hundred years prompts the conclusion
that Russia Is playing one Of those double
games which have made her diplomacy
the admiration OF the world when II was
successful and brought upon her -heeaarse
OF treachery when 1t failed Russia Is
determined 20 reach the Mediterranean
and the Indian ocean. but first and most
eagerly. the outlet TO the south OF her
Western possessions. The only way IL
by the Bo@paorus. She can accomplish
this either by winning thu consent of Tur-
key TO permit passage or her ships through
that avenue In return for friendly offices.
or she can insure Il by the possession Of
Constantinople in case the Turk should
be driven from Europe. Already the
Great Bear has found welcome for It's
paw in the Ottoman empire. BY skiliful
tactics the Turkish people. who fought
side by side with England and France
against the Russians not 50 many years
ago. have now been brought 10 regard
England as foe and Russia as friend.
The suggestion Is already put forth that.
Ia return for her great friendship for
Turkey and the proposals. made to keep
Greece in check. very important conces-
slons viii be made by the Porte. One
treaty. IL not two. will have TO be abro-
gated. but since the chief contrac ting par
ties assent TO II, that would not be diff
cult matter especially as the other powers
have shown themselves 10 be SO emoar-
raised by their own interests that they
could not interpose any formidable oppo-
sstion. This Is only valuable 10 Russia
In case OF the continuance of Ottoman SOW
ereignty. however. and the maintenance
OF present treaty rights
The possibility OF that condition remain
lations 1t seems highly probable that the
moral strength shown by Greece and the
absence OF any embarrassment with re-
gard to the expense OF armament find
their explanation at 81. Petersburg. Al
ready ramors are current that Greece viii
cede two important strategic points 70 Rus
STA. This could oaly be In return for soma
aid Greece. but even II there we're no ties
OF relationship and friendship between thu
two relgnlng families. the interests OF Tia
great empire could be almost as material
ly served by the gratitude Of Greece. as by
that Of Turkey. Next In value 10 pos
session OF constantinopie would De thu
possession OF such a Mediterranean sta
ton as England possesses at Cyprus.
Malta, Alden and. II the exchange Is car
ried out. az Pantarena. Russia does not
want war with any Of the great powers.
She wants that Mediterranean Quiet. and
IL can possibly be obtained as easily by
war between Greece and Turkey. In which
Russia gives one Il the con0atants good
words and the other good aid.
II has been suggested that England IA
furnishing the means 10 Greece in re-
Spouse 10 the sentiment OF the English
people. II Is not impossible, but Il Is az
utterly at variance with Eng,and's policy
as TO be very improbable. Dlsraelfs mas
ter stroke In secretly buying control OF the
SucE canal and committing the nation 10
an outlay OK millions without a shadow Of
authority. was a pisraehan policy. eu, IL
was not English. IL Is iuconceivabie
that Lord Salisbury should either evolve
or successfully conduct such negotiations
as would lead whore Russian Intrigue
would prompt The motive, too. Is want
ing. England has nothing 10 gain from
Greece. except goodwill. and her rsfusa!
to cede any Mediterranean possession 10
Russia Lord Salishury's recent express
saoas would rather suggest that go far
from interfering with Russ.a's ambitions
IN that direction. England - disposed 10
reverse her policy and make friendly over
lures % her old enemy. Germany has far
usore % fear from the commercial ascend
sncy Russian would gaia Icy a southern
cutie; for her products than any contincn-
IA power. II Is true that EnElaad would
be better served II Russia could be kept
cut Of competition Nita India as an ex-
porter % wheat; but It Is manifest thA,
Russia Is destined 70 become great con-
mercial factor, ard England has sauaa-
tered many millions Q, dollars In he vain
EFFORT - check her development. She has
an outlet by Siberia 20 The Paclac. BY the
BAlue 10 the northern ports. and will havs
an eatlss before lOaS 10 ne soutA Of Ea-
rose.
Greece Is bat the eheeksrboard. her fl.
IsreSts ard taose Ct Turkey are he men.
and the game i being played frozn ths
capitals cf EuFops.