The evening times., 1897-02-15
THE TURKS BEATEN
oontiureo from First Page.

! are not only often aggressive, but as
| good fighters as the MosIems, and the
looses are pretty evenly divided as far as
! Is known.
All accounts agree that the Greek people
are In a state of frantic excitement. and
are unanimous for war 1t must be ad-
mitted that King George has really no
choice in the matter OF the bellicose
policy which has been adopted. The feel
iDgs of the people are quite beyond control
and there is little doubt that the king
would be driven from the country if he
ventured to oppose them. There were Omi-
nous signs a few days ago when it was
suspected for the moment by the masses
that the king was not fully in sympathy
with their anti-Turkish temper. The gov
ernment virtually had TO choose between
offending the powers and suffering re-
pudiation by its own country.
The Greeks still foDdly believe they
will not be actively opposed by all If by
any Of the powers. 1t is pointed out as
significant mt in last nights dispatches from
Athens that the Russian minister is not
among those who entered protests against
extreme action 1t is even said, on what
authority does not appear, that while the
language of the German minister was most
severe, that of the French and Austrian
representatives was not unfriendly. Re-
ports are conflicting regarding just what
the powers have done or decided to do.
There is nothing, however, tending to
show any conflict of opinion among them
On the other hand, the latest messages in
dicate disposition on their part to accept
Greek occupation of Crete now that overt
action toward that end has been taken.
Berlin advices say that if Greece lands
troops at Canea, the powers will endeayor
to effect a union OF Greece and Crete
upon such terms as are least offensive
to Turkey; but that matter must be set
tied quickly. The latter version seems
more reasonable. In fact. there is no
good reason why a CTetsn crisis should
disturb the agreement of the powers to
put the sultan under control. 1t will be
just as easy to compel Abdul Hanid to
submit TO Greece taking Crete as to force
him to accept the drastic measures of
reform which the powers are about to
put before him under threat of Co
ercion if he refuses to adopt them. The
Cretan crisis forces the hand OF the COM
bined powers a little in point Of time,
but if the settlement OF the Turkish
QutctAOu " oS UDSSiOAt bSlDANf ~ - PDS-
sible now.
The present situation, therefore. while
important. critical and OF thrilling Lra-
matte interest, does not involve the great
peril to the peace of Europe which "a di-
yergencc of policy on the part or the
powers would imply.
Chicago, Feb. l5.-The Greek colony in
Chicago was greatly excited last evening
over the news of the probable declaration
OF war against Turkey by their mother
country. These people all say mat il there
is war there, they Will hurry back to take
up the arms Of the land they have left, but
have not ceased to love. There are now
about 2 900 native Greeks in Chicago.
Among those who could be seen last even
ing. after the dispatches announcing the
firing on the Turkish flag by the Greeks
had been received, there was no difference
Of opinion. Should affairs continue to
assume more serious aspect, there is no
doubt that a regiment OF fighting men will
be enlisted in this city.
The many rnnloTs concerning what &C
tually occurred in Athens as a result of
hetwo conferences of the diplom attic repre-
sentatives of the powers yesterday. and
the subsequent representations OF the con-
clUsions arrived at by the conference to
Premier DelyanBis, NJ Bouree, the French
minister. being the spoke sman of the diplo-
mats. have been set at rest by semi-offE
cial statement, which was given out here
today.
According to this statement, NJ. Dely'
annis upon being formally notified Of
the action OF the foreign ministers, which
notice was put in the form Of protest
against the action which Greece has
taken in Crete asked that time be allowed
him in which to consider and formulate a
reply.
This request having been granted, N.
DeIyannis today communicated to the dip
lomats, through NJ BOuree, an answer to
their protest. The Greek premier, after
brief view OF the situation, declares
without qualification that it is the purpose
of Greece to occupy Crete.
In view of this defiant attitude of the
Hellenic kingdom, the GerIaan government
will consider that it is no longer consonant
with dignity to proceed further in the
paths of diplomacy at Athens, and after
having communicated this conclusion to
the governments OF the other powers viii
instruct the commander Of the German
Canea and join the associated fleets off |
the Cretan coast in preventing any hostile |
action on the part of Greece, and coop
crate with them IN restoring order in
the island According to the semi-official
statement this decision on the part of
Germany is final.
London Feb. 15-Mr. George y. Cur
zoD, Parliamentary secretary OF foreign |
affairs announcedi in the House of Commons |
today, in reply to questions regarding the |
exact situation in Crete, that the powers |
were taking every step that was possible !
for them to take advantage of TO the end |
to checking the disorders in that island
All of the foreign consuls in Crete, he |
added, were under instructions TO cooper |
ate in the direction of restoring order. Mr.. |
Curzon, answering further questions, said |
that the government had absolutely no in |
formation that the MUsselmen in Crete |
were exposed to mas saCre at the hands of !
the Christians.
Replying to requests for information |
as to the course to be taken by the |
British naval vessels in Cretan waters, |
Curzon said that the British naval off |
GERS had been instructed to take no iso- |
lated action in Crete under any circum- |
tsances. Mr. Curzon declined to make |
any statement as to the nature or pui-
port of the correspondence which had |
passed between the powers concerning |
the Cretan situation and the position of /
the powers in regard thereto.
The matter of the disorders in Crete, |
and the independent action taken by Greece |
in sending a torpedo flotilla and transport
shins with troons tn that island came nm