Evening star., 1914-02-22

their minds to attack Greece, and such
contingency may have led n. Venizelos.
undertake the recent round of visits made
to the governments Of Europe. But for a
fact neither Turkey nor Bulgaria is in
condition to make war. and however
much such a war might coincide with
Austrian policy, it is exceedingly doubtful
that Germany would be willing and Rus
sia, it should be understood. is opposed.
Russia. whatever may be said to the con-.
trary. has become again such colossal
military power that she Is able single-
handed to hold, Germany in check. and
Russia is thus the power upon which the
peace OF Europe depends.
Besides, there are at present no Wild
schemes of war on foot in the Balkans
War has proved such terrible scourge
to all the recent actors that the principal
preoccupation now is to repair their
sadly depleted treasures. Servfa and
Bulgaria have within short time re-
sumed their diplomatic relations. Also
Greece and Turkey have done likewise
of her most DISTINGUISHED diplomats, u.
Panas. who left the portfolio Of war to
occupy the post of minister at Constan-
tinople.. Turkey has sent to Athens
Yhalib Bey. who was justly noted as one
of Turkeys most accomplished diplo
matte agents. These two diplomats pos
sess the confidence and respect OF the
residents OF the capitals where they have
been called to exercise their talents
One Of the first questions to arrange is
that of the Greeks residing in the Ottoman
empire and especial
The Problem ly in Thrace, where
Of the Greeks. the Greek sseR p0puiasoS s,,nis,oS
to all sorts of violence. Sir Edward Grey
submitted to the powers a new note
which is the complement of the note of
the 18th Of December and a reply to the
notes of the triple alliance of the 3ist
of December and the 18th of January.
The question until now has been very OBJ
scure. 1t is now confessed that tho
triplice and particularly italy would ac
cord in principle the giving of the is
lands to Greece Chose now occupied by
herr on certain conditions. The trlplice
wished to join the question of the islands
to the question of Albania, stipulating that
the attribution of the islands to Greece
could not become definite except the gov
ernment at Athens assumed the oblisa-
ton to end the troubles in Albanian
Epirus.
1t was evident that Greece should no,
be held responsible for the troubles which
would certainly follow the forcible incor-
poration of the Epiroles into the Alba
nian state These troubles had not been
engendered by Greece. The only thing
to do was to assure to these people Sc
curity against Albanian tyranny.
It was thus the duty of the powers, and
not Greece, upon whom fell the ca"e Of
assuring peace. 1t was this the 70 eigi
Office note urged upon Germany, Austria
Hungary and Italy. and that Greece could
not be expected to take upon herself any
other obligation than that of doing moth
ing to encourage resistance to the wishes
of Europe.
Another important point of the English
note is that of the evacuation OF me
Dodecanese by Italy. Replying to the first
by the foreign Office. the pow
ers of the triplice observed that the date
and the conditions of the evacuation OF
the islands by Italy should be nxed py
the two signatories of the treaty OF
Lausanne. This was equivalent. In TACT.
to abandonment of the restitution OF the
islands to Turkey, according to the wishes
of the cabinets of Constantinople and
Rome Such a solution was simply an
absurdity and unacceptable.
Besides. the question of the islands
temporarily occupied by Italy was not a
Turco-Italian question.
International but an international
question of interest to
0uestlon. Europe in the same
sense as the islands occupied by Greece.
In fact, the ambassadors conference OF
London, which sat at London last au-
'tumn, set forth the principle that the
regime of the Aegean sea islands could
not be normal as long as European
power occupied a single one OF these
islands.
Nor does Italy maintain that she can
refuse to evacuate the Dodecanese. but
Italy has raised preteNts based on Some
which she may obtain some financial and
economical compensationS from turkey
1t is evident that Turkey cannot be held
responsible that the Arabs IN Lydia con-
tinue the conflict against Italy.
The facts are said to be that ltaly
hopes by this procrastination to con-
stitute basis for claim against Iur-
key which would be satisfied by the
granting of port on the Mediterranean.
To be precise. it is a question of obtain
ing from the porte the concession OF
Adalia, whence Italy might construct a
railroad into Asia Minor-a railroad OF
peaceful penetration which would seri-
ously interfere with a network of rail-
roads England is constructing for her
own interests. Sir Edward Grey holds
that the powers must examine that p: OPP
osition, because at the basis of the acton
of the powers in the affairs of the orient
~
principle that none OF the powers may
acquire any territorial advantage in the
rearrangement of the map of European
orient British interests. needless to add.
will insure the inviolability of the princi-
pie against Italy's aspii ations.
K
The visit of NJ. Venizelos has had doubt
less many sides. not the least of which
is financial Besides the
Visit of visit of NJ. venizelos viii
" prove of incalcu able BEN
seulzeioo, eiit to the friendly cabi-
nets, whose hands require strengthening
in face of the persistent game of bluff
and defiance assumed by Turkey. Wei
coined by the Hellenic colony In Paris at
banquet on the Goth ultimo. NJ. Ven
izelos paid a glowing tribute of praise
to France, which had aided Greece in
her battle with the Turk. "As minister
of war;" said NJ. yenizelos. Il admired
with gratitude the tried science, the in
teiligent labor and the devotion without
INIT manifested by Gen. EydouX and MS
distinguished coliaborators. Greece. which
which has sacrificed much to the coun
ellis of Europe and to necessities OF the
occasion to maintain harmony-Greece
has a right to the consideration OF Eu-
rope"
In Roumania 1t should be remarked the
ministry Of NJ. Majoresco
has been replaced by the liberals under
NJ. Bratiano.
King Charles has always opposed the
creation Of third party and has aimed
to alternate the conservative and liberal
parties. When either party manifests Il