The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-19

Washington. April 1S.-The grave situa-
ton in the east was the topic of CONVEX
sation here today. In diplomatic circles.
particularly where the possibilities of a
general conflict in Europe are always
regarded as more or less imminent, if
any of the powers became engaged in
war, the situation is deeply considered.
Opinions vary as to the probable dura-
ton OF the conflict. One prominent Of
ficer of the navy inclined to the belief
that fighting would continue for a short
time until the powers of Europe should
decide that hostilities had proceeded far
enough. when they would step in and put
It to an end.
II any advices were received in this
city today from the representatives of
the government IN Turkey or Greece,
they could not be obtansd tonight. Sec
rotary Sherman had one dispatch from
Mr. Terrell 1t was in the state depart
lnent clpnef, however. ana had not Oeen
translated.
During the day the secretary had a. call
from the Turkish minister who re-
manned with him a short time. The sec
rotary declined to say what had trans
when a state of war has been declared
or nostilities exist. for the minister or the
government interested TO notify the gov
eminent to which he is accredited of
such q condition of affairs and presum-
ably that is what took the minister to
the secretary today. Secretary Sherman
reiterated the statements tonight he
made to the Associated Press representa-
tive last night that while the government
regretted the existence of war. Turkey
and Greece were so far from us that it
was matter which concerned the United
States but littfe. The strictest neutrality.
he declared. must be observed. The sec
rotary had no fears but that the citizens
of the United States would be amply pro-
tected. Very few of them are in the
cities of Colstantinople and Athens.
Mustapha Bey, the Turkish minister.
said tonight that he had received no
further dispatches from his government.
He is expecting word. however, at any
time. as he probably viii be kept fully in
formed of what is taking place The
minister tonight expressed himself as re-
GREETING that things should have come 10
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 Greeks, he said. had
made the step taken ny his government
peri ectly proper ore. Greece had acted
on the aggressive and by the actions of
her soldiers had precipitated the conflict
that nov seems imminent Her soldiers
have invaded Crete. which is Turkish
territory. and had crossed the frontiers
on the main land. lie expressed himself
as having no doubt of the outcome, and
that Turkey would be triumphant in the
war If it should be formally declared.
Baron Won Thieimann. the German am
bassador, declares that the entrusting of
Turkish subjects in Athens 10 the -,ro-
lection Of the German minister has no
significance whatever 1t Goes not mean
that there is any alliance between the
German and the Turkish governments IN
the present status. as has been minated
in some quarters. but is simply Il friend
~ act ti:at is customary III times when
diplomatic negotiations between nations
are suspended. He pointed out that dur
ing the time that diplomatic negotiations
and Venezuela. as a result of the bound
airy trouble the citizens OF Great Britain
were entrusted to the protection OF the
German minister. Again. during the war
in 1871 and 1878 between Russia and
Turkey the Russian subjects were en-
trusted to the protection of the German
minister and the ambassador added there
were no alliances between the countries
Tn to this time there had been. so Tar
as could be learned. no consultation with
regard to reinforcing the feet of the
United States in Mediterranean waters:
Snouid the presence Of ships OF war OF
foreign nations be required in Turkish or
Grecian waters to protect their citizens.
IS u result of the impending conflict, the
United States could assemble a fornld-
able feet if necessary.
In the Mediterranean squadron at this
time the navy department has four ships.
the cruiser San Francisco, the flagship
on the station. the triple screw cruiser
Minneapolis and the cruiser Cincinnati
and the small gunboat Bancroft
The Detroit is on her way to the Med
jterannean from the China station. and
now. probably. is somewhere near the
Pa ssr tnoslP~ addition TO the fleet
will soon be made by the presence of
/ : i,;..rssft. wnicn is getting ready to
ioin the European station. Otner vessels
that might be used for service in Europe
if necessary. are the Montgomery. Mar
biehead. Maine and Texas. all of which
are now on the Atlantic coast.
The opinion exists however. that the
presence of any number of war vessels
will not be necessary.