The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-02-12
SULTAN PROVOKING
RUSSIA TO ACTION
Series Of Affronts to the Gar Pre-
sage a Serious Crisis in
Their Affairs.
GERMANY SUPPORTING TURKEY
Gear Masses His Forces and Seeks
Allies In Anticipation of War
---Demand For lndcm-
nifty Made.

London, Feb. s.s9While public atten-
ton is being more or less monopolized
by vents in China, the situation in the
east OF Europe is rapidly assuming
once more so serious an aspect as to
merit more than passing attention.
Prompted, il is believed. by Germany,
the Sultan is displaying an independ-
ence OF attitude and boldness Of front
toward the Gar which cannot fail to
bring about WAR, and that TOO, at an
early date. The Russian Ambassador
at Constantinople has been treated
with the most striking discourtisies.
After presenting his credentials he
asked the sultan for a private audi
cnce. This according to the customary
usage, should have been granted at
once. The sultan, however, kept the
ambassador waiting for more than a
fortnight before he consented to
touchsafe his request, although he re-
ceived several other foreign ENJOYS in
the meantime.
Not content with this Tie sultan re-
sponded to the demand presented by
the ambassador for the removal Of the
Turkish irregular cavalry from the Vi
cinity of the Russian frontier, in con-
oSHoSiiNt-o it HitCt uGit tCiS VI blIS-
andage of the undisciplined Bashi-
Bazonks on Muscovite territory, by is
suing a decree doubling their number
along the frontier and comforting dec
orations Oh their chiefs.
This Irregular cavalry is composed in
the main of the anne Kurdish savages
whose appalling cruclties perpetratcd
up on the Christian population of Bull
gariu and Eastern Roumelia brought
about the Turko-Rnssian war of 1877.
y third manifestation of hostility is
the Sultan's refusal to yield to the
cars demand for the appointment of
Prince George of Greece to the govern
orslip of Crete. while a fourth, and
perhaps the most significant. circum-
stance is that Abdul llamid is sending
large re-inforcemcnts and supplies TO
the Turkish army under Edhem Paslra
in Thcssaly, and the latter. along With
his German military advisers. has re-
Gently commenced to elahorately
strengthen his position, manifesting
no disposition whatever to Withdraw
from Grecian territory.
OF course the ear has q very seri-
Gus grievance against the sultan, as
over S13O.000.0 900 of the war indemnity
of 1877 still remains owing by the sub
lime porte to Russia, the sultan max
ing no effort whatsoever to discharge
this debt. The ear has now caused
his ambassador to Constantinople TO
make a peremptory demand Tor the
immediate payment of this amount,
which is, of course, out of the queS-
ton.
That Emperor William is still sup
porting the sultan is demonstrated by
the fact that lie declines to indorse
Russia's demand for the appointment
of Prince George TO the governorship
of Crete, and that he has recently con-
ferred decorations upon all the mem
bers of Edhem Paslia's staff in Thes-
sally, a sure sign that he is just as hos
tile to Greece as ever.
The fact that Russia anticipates
trouble is shown by the cars action
i'll restoring TO grace Prince Ferdi-
nand, the good will and friendship of
Bulgaria being u matter Of Importance
to Russia in the event of u conflict with
Turkey, Bulgaria having ii well
equipped army of nearly 100000 men
to place at Russia's disposal.
Moreover, the ear has within the
last three weeks increased his forces
on the frontiers of Germany and
Austria by two full army corps, and is
again active in Bulgaria, in spite of his
engagement contracted With Emperor
Francis Joseph to take no steps in Bal
kan politics save in conjunction with
Austria. When ii is added that. with
the first outbreak of Il European war
in the east of Europe. an nnti-dynastic
revolution will take place in Servia. it
. ~ \ Ell G- Il FL -