The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-17
Fall.

SyONSTA NTINOPLE, May lo-ihs
norte has replied officially TO the note OF
the powers and declines to agree to an
armistice until the following conditions
are accepted:
The annexation OF Tnessaly-
An indemnity of flo.e0.ea.
The abolition of the capitulations-
The porte proposes that the plenipoten-
tiaries of the powers should meet at
pbarsala, 10 discuss the terms OF peace
and declares that If these conditions are
declined the Turkish army viii continue
to advance
The demand for annexation of Thessaly
is based upon the fact that the province
was originally eeded to Greece on the adj
vice OF the powers with the object OF
ending brigamdage and Greek incursions
into Ottoman territory. the porte believ-
ing at that time that the cession would
attain these objects. but the recent incur
sions of Greek bands and the events inn
mediately preceding the war have proved
to the contrary. This Is the substance
of the reply.
The ambassadors met today TO con-
slider the porte's answer. which Is regard
ed as raising an extremely grave issue.
II is believed that representations will
he made to the sultan personally TO in
duce a modification of these terms. but it
is foreseen that this will be very difficult.
owing to the attitude of the powerful old
Turkish war party. II the porte should
prove obdurate European conference
is not improbable. although at present
Russia is opposed to this.
II Is regarded as quite certain that the
powers win not consent to a retrocession
of Thessaly oven Germany is believed
to he resolute on this point. because 1t
would involve a violation OF the Berlin
treaty and imperil the peace OF the Bal
kans. Altogether the reply of the porte
has caused the greatest surprise.
II appears that during the discussion of
the note from the powers By the council
OF the suitan's ministers, news reached
the council that 5000 Greeks had landed
at Palona and were marching to Janina
with the intention OF cooperating with
other forces from Arta- This created a
bad impression among the minister's
LONDON, May IA dispatch 20 the
Daily Mail from constantinople says the
porte's reply demands In its concluding
paragraph an extraditIon treaty with
Greece and that the ports Of voio and
PreYesa be kept open for vessels carry
Ing food supplies to the Turkish troops.
Germany is urging the sultan TO insist
finances as the only means of securing
the payment OF an indemnity. Repre-
sentatives OF the Doutsche bank viii ar
rive next Saturday TO realize on the prom
ise of important concessions which the
sultan has made TO the bank.
A dispatch 10 the Standard from Con-
stantinople says:
The portes reply 90 the powers Is based
ur-on a mazsbata presented by the minis
terS to the sultan. representing that
Turkey 20 declare war; that for the last
Afteeu years Greece had engineered her
anxagennsnts under the Berlin treaty by
emitting to pay indemnity. BY seizing and
conaseafing vakops. or religious domains,
and nnally by invading Turkish soil: and
that. therefore. the council were OF the
on;uion THAI Greece had no Just claim
upon them for leniency.
Then follow the proposals upon which
the council would base peace. The grand
viufer. IN submitting the mazebata. assured
me sultan tha, me nation vas prepared 70
shed i.s last drop of blood in support Of
such conditions of settlement.
TIE war party threatens TO dethrone the
sultan II ne shows any weakness bat
~1rewd observers oelieye this is only a
farce TO enaose him 20 pose before En-
rons as the unwilling victim of his Ia
nasicai subjects.
In spite Of rhe great success OF Edhem
pzsha. the palace spies have expressed
their doubts OF bis sdeli;y. and the sultan
has seat a special aide De camp TO watch
hIEa-