Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-21
A WAR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
In Which the Little Kingdom Is Now En-
 gagged StartIes Europe.
ONLY ONE POWER OPPOSES GREECE
In Her Determination to Annex Crete Wilhelm of Germany the Stumbling Block-Turkish Fleet Rotten and
 Unseaworthy-Rhode Scanal.

London, Feb. 20.-(Copyright, 1897, by the Sun Printing and Publishing Asso- cia ation. 1.-The situation in the east at length grows less obscure. There is a deadlock between the great powers re- garding the policy to be pursued toward Greece. This deadlock need not disturb
 the friends of the Greeks and Cretans. It makes for righteousness. It had It's origin in the new force which entered into the situation just six days ago and which now predominates it completely. The domestic events of these few days are few and simple. The first acts of war by Greece against Turkey called forth the unanimous protests of the six powers.
 King George replied in a message of virtual defiance. The German emperor was so angered by this answer that he cut off diplomatic relations with Athens and invited the powers to unite in a blockade of the Greek ports. Great Britain, France and Italy have refused to approve the kaisers suggestion and all for the same reason. Public opinion in each country is now almost unani- mously in sympathy on the side of the Greeks and Cretans. This is the new lOICS WHICH COnllOlS iut SllQdllOn anu which Lord Salisbury M. Hanotaux and the Marquis Di Rudini dare not disre- gard One and perhaps two of these men are terribly annoyed and embar- rasssd by this new element in the prob lem M Hanotaux, especially if he dared, would advocate drastic measures against Greece to compel her to retire from Crete. If he has the temerity to do so in the chamber of deputies on Mon day he will become plain private citi- zen on Tuesday. Public opinion in the three nations of Europe, where public opinion reigns, has suddenly declared virtue superior to that of it's rulers It has defeated and demoralzed diplo- macy. l was about to add that it had destroyed that hideous moral inquiry known as "the concert of Europe" It is more correct to say it has compelled diplomacy to recognize the common prin- ciples of humanity Il is impossible to overlook the fact now clearly revealed that Lord Salisbury took. warning only just in time. There is no longer any doubt that the British naval officers act ed strictly according to their instruc- tions in threatening to use force against the Greek warships if they attacked Turkish vessels bringing endorsements. The outbreak of popular indignation came so quickly in this country that the government in alarm tried to evade the responsibility in parliament. There was also an instant change of policy, Lord Salisbury notifying the powers two days later that England would not consent to any plan which contemplated the return of Crete to any forms of Turkish control.
 Italy today goes even further and off, cially authorizes the announcement that "the powers will never constitute them selves gendarmes of Turkey"
 The German emperor stands almost alone in unenviable prominence as the advocate of policy which is revolting to every national impulse. He even went so far yesterday as to notify the powers that he would not consent to any settle ment of the Cretan question which did no first compel the evacuation of the is land by Greece. Kaiser William has done many stupid, blundering things in dip- lomatic affairs during the past two years, but never anything which aroused such disgust as this, among his own subjects and throughout Europe. It is difficult if not impossible to harmonize his position and Lord Salisbury's. Hence the dead lock. Russia's attitude continues to be a mystery, and Austria is not as clear. Russia, however, realizes fully that it is impossible for hen ally, France, or for England to defy public opinion, when it has made it's decree so absolute as that recorded this week. There is no doubt, therefore, that it will be the German em- peror who will back down if the har- mony of the powers is to be preserved. The position of Greece seems now to be impregnable, morally and diplomatically, and even physically. It would be the highest political policy for the powers to try to coerce her, even if every senti- mental impulse did not condemn 1t. She could and probably would under such circumstances set the Balkans in blaze. The issue of peace or war for Europe would be in her hands. It is supposed to be the supreme object of each govern ment to preserve peace. They would hardly be so stupid, then, as to leave the s,tA fA f1A riner xxrt,f ,f111 hot so much to gain and so little to lose by war.
 The reports grow more emphatic to the effect that revolution in Macedonia is inevitable and that 1t is close at hand. There Is every incentive, therefore, to settle the Cretan question as quickly as possible, in order to be ready to deal with the new emergency. The impression grows stronger that the sultan would consent, under pressure, to complete the autonomy of Crete. The question really is, whether the Greeks will agree to this unless coupled with the assurance of the eventual annexation of the island to their country. There is growing opinion to- day that the matter will be settled on this basis. The chief necessity of the moment is that somebody suppress the bumptious German emperor. It seems to have escaped the notice of the European press that the present political minister of Greece is the same M. Delyannis, who represented the daring little Kingdom 1t the European congress which met at Berlin at the conclusion of the Russo Turkish war, nearly twenty years ago.
 The decision of the congress blasted the hopes of Greece then, as some of the powers are inclined to do now, but with less reason. It was on the 29th of June, 1878 that M. Delyannis told the congress that Greece bowed to the will of Europe, in order not to risk disturbing European peace, but he continued, that it would be to the interests of Turkey as we'll as of Europe for Greece to take possession of Crete, which was then in full revolt. Crete could never be paclfied by pallia- uves, and ir the near future unless in- dependence were granted, 1t would be the scene of bloody work
 . M. Delyannis then warned the assem-