The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-19
DREAD AMONG THE DIPLOMATS
THE DANGER or A GENERAL EURO
PEAN WAR REALIZED.

OMcials of the United states Take
CnimeF View of the situation and
RecoGniEe the Probability That
the Powers WIN Put an END 20 the
TurISO-Greck HOstiIitics when
They Feel They Have Proceeded
Far EnOuEh-NO Danger of This
Nation Becoming Involved.
Washington, April lS.-The grave uitu-
alton in the east was the topic of dis
cussion in diplomatic and official circles
here to-day, The possibilities of war be-
tween Turkey and Greece have been
thought probable for some time but the
official announcement that state of war
existed served to quicken the interest
with which the troubles between the two
countries have been watched.
In diplomatic circles particularly, where
the possibilities of. general conflict in
Europe are always regarded as more or
less imminent If any of the powers be-
come engaged in war, the situation was
deeper considered.
Among officials of the United States.
who express any opinion at ALL sentiment
seemed general that war between Turkey
and Greece Is no matter in which this
government can In any way become in-
volved. and that the course for this coun-
try 10 maintain Is one of strict neutrality.
Opinions vary as to the duration of the
conflict. one prominent officer of the navy
inclined to the belief that fighting would
continue for a short time until the powers
of Europe decide that hostilities have pro-
ceeded far enough, when they would step
in and put an end to them
If any advices were received In this city
IN fls ,f.,tf ftgoa Of fla.a
government in Turkey or Greece they
could not be obtained tonight. Secretary
Sherman had one dispatch from Minister
Terrell at ConstantEople. 1t was in tho
state department cipher, however, and
had not been translated During the day
the secretary had a call from the Turkish
minister, who remained with him a short
time.
The secretary declined to say what
transpired between them.
1t Is customary when state OF war has
been declared or hostilities exist for the
ministers of the governments interested
to notify the government to which they
are accredited of such a condition of af-
fairs and presumably that is what took
the minister to the secretary's house.
Secretary Sherman reiterated tonight
the statements he made to the Associated
Press representative last night, that while
this government regretted the existence OF
4
us that II was a matter which concerned
the United States but little. The strictest
neutrality, he declared, must be preserved.
The secretary had no fear but the citizens
of the United States would be amply pro-
tected.
Mustapha Bey, the Turkish minister, said
tonight that he had not received any fur
ther dispatches from his government re-
lating to the trouble. He Is expecting
word, however, at any time, as he prob
ably will be kept fully Informed OF what
is taking place. The minister tonight
expressed himself as regretting that things
should have come to the--present pass.
Turkey, he declared Is for peace-peace on
honorable terms-and does not seek war
with any nation. The action Of the Gre
clans he asserted, had made the step TAX
en- by his government a perfectly proper
one. Greece had acted on the aggressive;
the soldiers had invaded Crete, which was
Turkish territory, aed had crossed the
frontiers on the mainland. He expressed
himself as having no doubt of the outcome
and that Turkey would be triumphant in
the war If il should be formally declared.
Baron Won Thielmann the German am
bassador, declared that the entrusting OF
Turkish subjects at Athens to the pro-
lection Of the German minister has no sig
nificance whatever It does not mean he
says, that there Is any alliance between
the German and Turkish governments In
the present status, as has been intimated
In some quarters. II Is simply a friendly
act that is customary In times when dip
lomatic negotiations between nations are
suspended He pointed out that during
the time that diplomatic negotiations were
suspended between Great Britain and
Venezuela, as result OF the
boundary trouble, the citizens OF
Great Britain were entrusted to
the protection of the German minister.
Again during the war In 1877 and 1878 be-
tween Russia aud Turkey, the Russian
subjects were entrusted TO the protection
OF the German minister, and the ambas-
sador added, there were no alliances be-
tween the countries.
Up to this time there has been, so far
as could be learned, no consultation with
regard to reinforcing the feet OF the Unit
ed States In the Mediterranean waters.
Should the presence OF ships OF war OF
foreign nations be required In Turkish or
tfrecian waters 20 protect their citizens
as a result of the impending conflict, the
United States could assemble a formida-
BILE fleet. In the Mediterranean squadron
at this time the navy department has the
cruiser San Francisco, the flagship on the
station; the triple screw cruiser Minne-
apolls and the cruiser Cincinnati, all mod
ern vessels, OF high type, and the small
gunboat Bancroft. The Detroit Is on her
way to the Mediterranean from China.
and Is some where near the Red sea. The
Raleigh, which is getting ready TO join the
European station will soon be added "a
the feet other vessels that might be
used for service In Europe, n necessary,
are the Montgomery, the Marblehead,
Maine and Texas, all Of which are now on
the Atlantic coast. The opinion exists.
however, that the presence Of any mum.
Der Of war vessels viii not be Necessary.