Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-18
TURKEY-GREECE CONFLICT Will Not Affect the United
 States. STATESMEN qscuss IT In the LObbies at Was9 ton t is the AL Absorbing Topig ssOcated Press
 Reports with Interest.

tff-~s2illl4 x 1JilJ VI f.~-l ue news Ol bHB crisis in the 6AS ahs situation was the all absorbing topic of conversation here today. The bulletins of the Associated Press were taken to the White House and to the members of the cabinet. leading diplomatic representatives and chairmen of the foreign committees in congress so that those most interested in the event received early informat tion of the gravity which the situation has assumed. The expressions were general that the United States court could not be drawn into the conflict and that the course of this coun- try was plain at preserving strict neu- trality It was felt on all hands among officials that the real gravity of the an- nouncement was in the prospect that it would serve as the spark to start the confiagration all through Europe.
 Secretary sherman was ssen at his res- dence tonight and shown the bulletins.
 ''1t Is no surprise to me-" he said, as recent events have seemed to make war inevitable and l have expected that re- suit to come. Fortunately the scene of the reported conflict is far from us and the United States has little or no concern with the war. We will, of course, ob- serve strict neutrality as between the parties. This is natural result from the conditions prevailing, and will declare no specific declartion of neutrality. Our special interests With Greece and Turkey are very small so that there is no ground for disturbance. Last year our exports amounted to only $S29,720, an ins gnificanr sum, barely one per cent, as compared with the total exports. Turkey exp 1rted to the United States 900 laat year, showing a similar lack of important com mercial dealings between the United States and Turkey. That being the case our commercial and geographical and po- litical isolation from these countries leave us quite free from any possible en- tanglement in the conflict"
 MT. Shermanis attention was called to the reponts some time since that he United States warship BancaJft might be sent as a guard.ship to the United States minister Mir. Terrell, at Con stantinople, and MT. Sherman was asked if the war was likely to renew ,.he occa- sion of a warship in the Golden Horn.
 There has been no talk of that of late,' said he, and I sse no occasion for any change of affairs. The news tonight in no way changes the gba.us of our mln- is51rs to Turkey anl Greece. Their rights and immunities are in no way limited and their official position gives them asy- )lina against an disorder Except in the pr04ound rs gret our people will feel that TWO nations are involved in war, w. can be in no way involved in the conflict"
 Senator DlE 8, chairman of the senate committee on foreign relations, read the bulletins with great interest, and in re- spJlRsa t9 request for a S atement, said:
 1.-The attitude of the United States will, of course, be ope of neutrality and a strict observance of treaties. The war can have lit le direct effect on us. as our interests are small in that part of the world. But 1t is of profound import arce to Europe, and I fear it may be the first step towards a conflict involving all Europe. It fs almost certain to resut unless a quick and decisive victory is achieved by one side or the other When that crash comes, if 1t be the result, it is difficult to say how the great powers of Europe, each having vital interests, will be arranged. Russia has apparently been cGereing Greece, but tn re are latent reasons to indicate that eventually she mlgh. aid The spectacle which has been the greatest shock to the world thus far has ben that of the European powers bombarding Culte."
 Mir Davis was asked if Greece had the material resources to carry on an en- ergetic war. He said:
 The strength of Greece is much great CT than has been apparent. She has 100000 people and this would probably yield fighting force of about 100000 men. But the Greek population is very ex- tensive outside of Greece and is made up of 9 very devoted and enthusiastic peo- pie. It extends all through Asia Minor and into Turkey. Then there are the Greek colonies throughout Europe and the Creeks among the former Turkish colonies of Montenegro, Romania and Servia, who have been very restive of late. There are reserves in these coun- tries for a very formidable uprising, in behalf of Greece even beyond her bor- ders It is this possible spread of con- flct until all Europe is drawn in that gives real gravity to the situation"
 The Turkish minister Moustapha Bey received the report of the Associated Press at the Turkish legation tonight and with great interest the dispatches from Constantinople.
 Up to that time (midnigh) the minister had received no official dispatches on the subject. The early bulletins stating that war had been declared. led to ex- pressions of regret that the aggressive course of Greece had compelled Turkey, after eXhausting every means of avert ing war to take the offensive.
 The later dispatches stating that the actual declaration of war had not been made was received with satisfaction. The minister is hopeful that an outbreak may yet be avoided, although he fears that the incursions of the Greek irregu- lars across the Turkish border may com- pei Turkey to take decisiTe action He is emphatic in stating that Turkey is ex- hausting every possible means of avert