Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-03-17
KING GEORGE MAY ABDICATE.
One of Three Suggested Solutions of the
Greek Problem.

One of Three Suggested Solutions of the
Greek Problem.
Copyrighted 1897 by the Associated Press
Athens, March 1.-THE Cretan ques-
ton is passing through period Of qui-
essence. a lull having followed the reply
of Greece to the powers, and everybody
seems to be wondering where and when
the storm will break out afresh.
In spite of the repeated assertions
made in the different capitals Of Europe
that the powers are acting in concert
towards Greece. it is remarked here that
if this was the case the threatened CO.
ercion of Greece would have been an
accomplished fact long before this.
Three Ways Out of the Difficulty
There seems to be but three WAYS out
Of the present difficulty. The most pc
culiar one is that the powers must accent
the offers of Greece to withdraw her fleet
from Cretan waters and allow her army
of occupation TO remain nominally under
the control of a foreign officer outranking
Col. Vassos to be used for the pdcifcation
of the island and when that is accom-
nlished plebiscite shall decide whether
the Cretans prefer annexation to au-
tonomy.
The second suggested solution is the CO.
ercion, real or seeming, of Greece
by the blockade of the Greek coasts
as we'll as the island of Crete. This
would be a dangerous and difficult task.
In the first place it would require an
immense feet of vessels owing to the al
most innumerable islands composing the
Grecian archipelago, to make such a
blockade effective. Besides, Greece's re-
ply to this proposition would probably be
the lighting of the fires of war in Mace
donna, the beginning of a confederation
which might spread all over Europe.
The most dangerous spot on the map
of Europe at present is the frontier of
Thessaly. If Greece is coerced or if she
does not obtain the substance of her de-
mands she is liable to force the hands
of the powers and this might be done in
more ways than one, as by crossing the
border trying to raise the Balkans and
possibly bringing about the long contem>
plated dismem Derment of the Turkish
empire.
Possibility of Abdication,
The third solution of this dangerous
and difficult problem is contained in the
renewed rumors that King George Of
Greece may abdicate in favor Of his eld-
Duke of Sparta, whose wife is the Prin-
cess Sophia of Prussia, sister Of EN-
peror William of Germany. There are
many people who believe that the Kings
abdication would be the best means of
clearing UP the situation. While the
stand taken by King George in the pres
mt crisis has undoubtedly improved his
ton would be a popular step, as the pop
ulace has never quite forgiven the King
for being foreigner, while his sons,
who were born in Greece, are regarded
as being one with themselves.
The crown princess is known 10 be
tFIt1e jealous of Prince George, the sailor
prince, second son of the King, whom
Prince Constantine always allows TO be
bracketed as equal with himself. The
princess, it should be added, is said to be
furious at Emperor William for having
sided with the Turks against her adopted
people. Her husband is much admired
and respected, but he is a man of silent,
retiring disposition and is disposed to
ignore the shouts of the populace.
Prince George, who is Of different
temperament, is the popular idol and
many would prefer him to his cider
brother as King of Greece. In any case
the war fever is apparently subsding,
due no doubt to the popular belief that
an agreement may be reached between
the Greek and Turkish governments d.
rectly, settlement of the Cretan question
without the Intervention of the powers.
Views the Diplomats.
This belief, however, does not prevail
in diplomatic circles, where it is said that
the settlement can be arrived at only
through the powers. There is no doubt
that the decrease in excitement here tells