The Mena weekly star., 1897-04-21
OFFICIALLY TOLD.
Status of the Turko-Grecian Conflict
 Communicated to Mr. Sherman.
CONSUMPTION or LIQUORS.
Annual Review of the Worlds Co.rlmeree-- A Movement to Revoke the Civil serv- ice Rules Which Applies to Pen
 sion Agency Clerks.

WAsHINGToN, April 20.-The Turkish minister, Mustapha Boy, has communi- cated with Secretary Sherman on the status of the Turko- Grecian conflict He officially informed the American secretary of state of the termination of diplomatic rela tions between Turkey and Greece and of the attitude of of fense which Turkey had been com pelled to take by reason of the aggres- sive course of Greece. Itwas expressly made known, however, that no decla- ration of war had been issued. Until this official step is taken the hostili- ties along the frontier arc regarded in the light of preliminary movements, designed to secure strategic positions but not constituting war as con- templated by formal declara- tion of war. Until this declara- ton is made the United States government is not likely to give official recognition to the existing state of af- fairs by an announcement of neutral ity or such other step as the authori- ties may regard as necessary to the safeguard of American interests The conflict continues to be the absorbing topic in official and diplomatic quar- ters here It is the strong belief among representative diplomats that the actual collisions which have begun on the border will compel the Euro pean powers to renew with greater en- ergy the effort to avert long and bloody contest. This move of the pow CTS is being awaited with eager inter- est by those most concerned, as it is felt to be the key of the final outcome
 Consumption Of Whisky and Beer.
 WASHINGTON, April 20 The inter- national revenue receipts of the United States government for the last fiscal year shows an increase of about one per cent. in the income from the tax on spirits, whereas the revenue from the tax on malt and other fcr1nented liquors increased no less than six per cent. The rates of taxation were not changed, so that the increase in re- eeipts corresponds with the expansion of the market for liquors taxed These figures seem to prove that the con sumption of spirits is not increas- ing in the United States as fast as the population. It is evident that the rate of growth in the last year was not much more than half as much as the rate of gain in the num- Der of inhabitants. On the other hand, the revenue from the tax on beer and similar liquors indicates that the use of such alcoholic beverages is fast out running the increase of the population. 1t is not probable that the number of inhabitants of the United States is growing at the rate of more than two per cent. a year, and if that is so the consumption of. beer showed an iIl- crease last year about three times as great in proportion to the growth of the country.
 United States Foreign Trade.
 WASHINGTON, April 20-Thc bureau of statistics of the state department has just received from the printer the Annual Review of the Worlds Com merce, a volume introductory to the commercial relations of the United States with foreign countries. This little volume is full of figures, giving in compact form a great deal of information that must be Of value to persons interested in the ex- port trade, as it is easy to ascertain from it's pages the state of our trade relations with any country in the world. An interesting feature of the publication is an introduction by Frederic Emory, chiefof the bareau, summarizing certain of the more inn portant sections of the volume. Mr. Emory says the figures he gives estab- fish the significant fact that the for eign trade of the United States last year showed q steady increase In the export of manufactured goods, the per centage of such exports rising from 24.03 per cent. in 1895 to 25.11 last year Meanwhile, tiie percentage ef aggrlcll- tural exports declined slightly, from 67-58 to 67.3s.
 Clerks In Pension Agencies.
 WASHINGTON, April 2O.-A movement is understood to be in progress having for its object the revocation or that part of the civil service rules which applies to the clerical force of pension agencies. The extension of the rules to the agencies became operative July 15, 1895. and under the provisions an agent cannot remove an employe With cut the approval of the commissioner of pensions. It is claimed that this IS an injustice to the agents, as well as depriving the administration of much patronage The objectors contend that the agents, who are heavily bonded Ill amounts ranging from s75,0oo to sloc,- fj,lo should ba allowed fo select those