Evening star., 1897-03-23
Powers Not Agreed on Blockading
Grecian Ports.
ENGLAND And ITALY ARE OPPOSED
Preparations for War Going on
BriskIy.
LATEST ARMENIAN OUTRAGE

CONSTANTINOPLE March 23-The am
hassadors have formally notified the Turk
ish government of the intention of the
powers to land troops on the Island of
Crete for the purpose of relieving the de-
tachments of foreign marines now OH duty
ashore The porte has raised 70 objec-
TORS up to the present time believing
that the next move of the foreign fleet will
be to carry out the threat of the powers
TO blockade the principal ports and coasts
of Greece.
On this question. however there is no
unaninity of opinion. the impression being
that Great Britain and Italy at least will
strongly oppose such a step the ground
that II would cause Greece 20 promptly
declare war upon Turkey, elimination of
the crisis which some of the powers
apparently st1ll hopeful of avoiding.
In the meanwhile the war preparations
OF Greece are continuing night and day,
ana there are no indications of a back
down in that quarter. Troops are con-
tinUally hurried 10 the frontiers. the work
of erecting fortiGcations is progressing rap
idly, and all should be in readiness for an
advance early in April. when the weather
viii be much more propitious than now for
military purposes.
Some people intimate that war will break
out about April next. the anniversary of
the raising of the standard of the cross
gain the crescent in 1921. at the COM
IItICtlUeNl OIL JHe tITGek war OF 1nuepenQ-
eace.
7 he Turkish squadron is still in the Dar-
danelles. and the opinion is expressed that
it will remain there indefinitely The
Turkish headquarters at Elassona, and
the Greek headquarters are at Larissa
Field guns and other batteries have been
placed in position by both sides at the en-
frances of the mountain passes leading
from Thessaly into Macedonia and Epirus
TIC base of supplies of the Turks is at
S&!OniCa. and that OF the armies of the
Greeks is at Athens. although the troops
and supplies for the armies in the field are
landed at Nolo. Lamia and other ports.
The Turks are estimated TO have about
$3.50 men. regulars and irregulars under
arms IN Macedonia and Epirus. and they
are credited with having 10 TO 300 field
pieces with them.
The Greeks are believed to have about 40
"H men under arms on the frontiers and
&c be Fastening forward every gun procur-
able, in order to counteract as much as
possible their inferiority in artillery. In
cavalry. also. the Turks are said to be
much stronger than the Greeks but by
the beginning of April it is believed the
Greeks Will be in a much better state of
readiness for war than at present. Money
does not appear 10 be lacking for the equip
nent of the Greeks, and large supplies of
arms and ammunition have been forth
coming from what sources is not clear.
Ent thusfasm Indifference.
There is one feature of the situation
which should not be overlooked. The
Greeks are animated by the strongest feel
ing of warlike enthusiasm, while the Turks
are said to be suffering the greatest priva-
TORS without pay proper equipment
which has made them suIen and resentful
but far from desirous of entering upon ALI
aggressive campaign. The hospital and
camp arrangements of the Turks are pro-
nounced to be most defec tive and to have
ready resulted in serious sickness and
many deaths among the Redifs brought
from Asia Minor into the provinces of
Epirus and Macedonia.
If war is declared the Greek army from
LaTissa will probably try 10 enter Mace
dcria with the Crown Prince Constantine
aT.G second Greek army will attempt to
enter Epirus from the vicinity of Arta
IL is still possible that may be avert
ed by timely concessions to Greece, such
as The withdrawal of all Turkish forces
TrG-n Crete and the selection of Prince
with the understanding that when quiet is
restored it shall be decided by a plebiscite
wh5ther or not the island is to be annexed
TO Greece
Last Greek Reserves Called Out.
dispatch from Athens, has Just called out
the last OF its reserves, and has called
10 the colors all men thirty-two years of
age or upward Ten additional battalions
OF Greek infantry are being formed be-
siG-s fourteen more batteries of artillery
etc. Ihese preparations certainly do not
lol-lt 70 the approach of a peaceful so,II-
uo-' ot the crisis in the future.