The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07

Tense of LOndOn-A Complete ReOr-
ganizatiOn of the Siberian Convict
system Due to the Building of the
New Railway.
Copyright 1897, by the Sun Printing and
Publishing Association.
London, Feb. 6.-The tenperature of Fu-
ropean politics has grown decidedly warm
er during the past two or three days. 1t is
announced that the ambassadors scheme
of reforms which is to be forced upon the
sultan by all the powers has been COM
pleted and unanimously agreed upon This
is coupled with the really ominous news
that the sultan is In a complacent mood
and ready to consent to anything. It has
been learned by bitter experience that this
frame of mind on the part of Abdul Ham
i'd is the most dangerous of all and is us
ually preliminary to most fanatical out
break of cruelty.
Close upon this announcement comes
yesterdays Uprising in Crete, which is by
far the worst that has yet occurred in that
unhappy island. 1t is not possible to hold
the sultan responsible for these outrages,
for the present situation in Crete is in the
nature of an interregnum. The interna-
tional force which is to guarantee the re-
forms in the island has not yet been or
ganized and the situa ton is extremely
awkward. Greece. whose quarrel with
Turkey has been growing rapidly acute
from day to day, has not hesitated to take
quick advantage of the excesses of the
Turkish soldiers in the island and has sent
AL her available naval force there This
is a distinctly belligerent move and it is
probably intended that the sultan shall in
terpret 1t as such. Should he retalate, as
is possible, there will be presented COM
plications which will quickly force the
hand of the great powers.
In dealing with the whole Turkish situa-
tion this fresh and unanticipated difficult
ty will naturally put a strain upon the
harmony between the powers, which is of
only recent and tender existence. The
cunning sultan is fully aware of this and
he will be only too glad to destroy the
unity of purpose among his more powerful
mentors at the expense of a row with
Greece. He will be further encouraged in
his efforts by the latest friction over
Russia and France regarding the expenses
of the Egyptian-English expedition 10 the
cannot well be working harmoniously az
Constantinople and quarrelling bitterly a
Cairo at one and the same time.
The Egyptian situation, by the way, was
at last put before the world in plain lam
guage by the chancellor of the exchequer
last night in a speech announcing the in
tentions of the British government: lie
spoke with unconcealed contempt of the
decision of the mixed tribunals ordering
the return TO the Egyptian treasury of the
money advanced for the Nile expedition,
and forthwith declared that Great Britain
was fully determined to take khart0um.
Moreover he gave notice to the world,
with significant emphasis, that when Eng
land made up her mind what was the right
policy in regard to Egypt, she would not
be worried out of it by such difficulties as
a refusal Of money. This language Is al
ready causing great irritation and much
bellicose language in various places on the
continent, but whether 1t will have an un-
favorable influence upon the agreement in
regard TO Turkish ana-fs remains 70 De
The situation as whole, including the
Cretan difficulty and the Grecian-Jurk-
ish quarrel will demand the most diplo-
matte skill and perhaps sharp physical
action within the next few days for its
successful handling
a question which IS apparently paramount
i'm the British mind just now. multitude
OF suggestions have been made, most Of
them absurd and many or them undigni-
fed to say the least.
The Prince Of Wales plan, announced
to-day Is for London to celebrate the
cheney OF more than 100000 in the eX-
penses OF maintaining th~slospitals Of the
metropolis. This Will undoubtedly COM
support The London hospitals are sup
ported almost exclusively by private funds
and subscriptions. They are not In any
case public charge. The annual can
vassing 10 which their managers are COM
nelled TO resort in order to keep the in
Hitutions open Is a nuisance and almost a
public scandal. The Prince of Wales ap-
neal will easily bring forth the necessary
sum TO cover a single year 8 deficiency,
hut II he has In mind fund which will
WELD an annual income of 100000, the un-
dertaking Is indeed a gigantic one. Even
at & per cent, which is a high rate Of in
terest in this country, the sum necessary
WIN II has been decided that the principal
feature OF the celebration in June shall
he another great ceremony in West
Minister abbey similar TO that OF ten
Years ago. 1t will probably be OF the ma
ture OF fre-crowning" her majesty before
the most illustrlous assembly OF the
worlds rulers and great men which can
he gotten together. The abbey will be
closed early next month. when extensive
nrepara tions for the ceremony will be be-
rrn. 'rh ahopkeepers OF London, espe-
ciaIiy those IN the West End, are, of
course prepared for an immense trade ln
connection with the queens Jubilee. The
posslbility OF loss In case OF the sudden
death OF the queen has been troubling
them greatly. Several OF them decided
to take no chances. They have taken the
precaution TO pay a good round premium
Tor Insurance on her matesty's life dur
ING the next six months 80 that