Year: 1867

THE GREEKS GETTING READY FOR wAR-DR.


HOWE THE EASTERN QUESTION.


Pron 0ur Special Correspondent


ATHENS July p 1897.


The Cretan question has become the Greek, or as
they delight here to say the Hellenic question. Two
important changes have taken place in it within
short time; the absorption of the committee func-
tinns by the ministry who are now the real directors
of the nsurTecOn, aud the of all the supplies
and the abandonment of the Epirus campaign. The
Cretan Committee has long since been only the organ
of Greek public feeling but now, its funds exhausted
and its importance oyeuidden by the magnitude OF
the issues which demand something more than a
committee of conspuators to direct operations II is
even less than that.


The withdrawal of the band of Mtzos from the
frontier and the sending of them into Crete indicates
the resolution of the Greek Government 10 stake
openly and boldly everything on the war IN the
island. Since dropping the menace they have con-
stanly kept upon the Epirote frontier they permit
tho Turkish Government TO reinforce the army IN
Crete. To meet this. however. the Greeks have puT-
chased two new blockade-runners who VIII throw
volunteers into and move them round the island with
greater facility than the Turkish ieet can serve ITS
own army In fact 1t has become to the eyes or III
what t was from the beginning 10 those VINO knew
its hidden springs, duel TO the death between the
Turk and the Greek. Public feeling has be-
come so thoroughly aroused, the pride and
passion of the Greeks so thoroughly excited,
that an adverse solution 10 the Cretan question Will
precipitate revolution which will III all probability
sweep king and constitution, alliances and protec-
ton out with the ministry and leave the country III
q state of anarchy. Greece has too many OF her
children ughtlng III Cfete, ana mas spent 700 HluCn
blood and money to be content TO have the question
now betrayed by ministers, or tricked ont OF solu
ton by foreign diplomats. The perception OF this
NAV be tho cause of the change in policy of the
Powers who have been hitherto rather trihing
with the question as one which they saw mnst
from humanitarian and remote political con-
OF semi official respect. Now they begin TO see
that the bull may get INTO the china shop and that
the peril of q republican outbreak, which they
thought they had with fine words and double mean
ings laid long ago, may arise all the more redonbt
able from having been so long retarded. To avert
this danger they are willing 70 do what Humanity or
Christianity would never have induced them TO do.
Accordingly the change of plan of the Greek Govern
mont is met by role face of the most of Europe.
England alone, faithful to the Stock Exchange and
It's idols will not act and viii not believe that the
Turk s what all the world knows him 20 be, and TO
himself in the eyes of England impossible IN
the eyes Of tho rest of the word) from doing
his duty. Earl Derby dishonOrs his country
and himself by assertions made before the Parliament
which the dispatches of his own agents directly con-
tradict, and he must know 10 be utterly false had
thought that this species of political rascaty and
dishonesty was confined 10 republican legislatures
and satcsmen but the course OF the present English
Ministry on this Cretan question proves that there
are no politicians south of Mason and DiXons line
more utterly devoid of common honesty and politi-
cal integrity than some who can be found in the
English Parliament, of whom the chief is Earl Derby


have faint recollection of something in the Good
Book about those who bear false witness against the
poor but don't think the inspired writer ever con-
templated so shameless % case of it as this.


But even England must not be left IN minority of
ana VIII lOllOW, presume Ill tne aCLlOn 1nO-
Gated by the last resolution of the Powers and which
gather from dispatch kindly read mo by Mr.. Co
moundouros himself Yesterday to be substantially
follows The Porte having replied TO the joint note OF
tho Powers, demanding an inquest on the affairs OF
Crete that the Government saw no objection TO the
inquest, although il believed such measure
useless and consented condition of the
withdrawal of the volunteers, and the agreement not
to bring into question the rights of the Sultan, the
Powers reply by demanding the inquest pure and sim
Pile, and resolving in the population of Crete then
demand annexation 10 effect IL, and II the Turkish
Government opposes, the ships of war of all the
governments will go to Crete 10 carry OIL the fami-


lies and leave the island free for the combatants. In
this war; with three blockaderunners and the coast
clear IL s only question of how long the Turkish
Empire will take TO bleed to death


Meanwhile, the Hollenic Government is making Its
best TO get ready for the war which is believed TO
be inevitable. Great exertons being made TO fit
ont ueet OF swift c0ryettes, II only haif dozen,
and with these in the present state OF the Turkish
navy doubt little that the Greek fleet VIII increase
rapidly.


The torpedo operations OF the two American officers,
though by a narrow chance having missed destroy
ing the finest frigate in the Turkish navy has so
thoroughly demorazed the whole that no ship will
now approach tho northern coast III consequences OF
which the Arkad has landed this week IN Sphakia
without the least moestation, both volunteers and
provisions among the latter largo quantity OF Dr.
Howes supplies sent under the care OF special agents.
who will endeavor to prevent them from being pill
laged and wasted, Is always more or less the case
with the eargoes Of the Committee.
The Aradi has also carried out the first cruiser of
q fast launch, armed with Whitworth gun, whose
intention Id TO clear the waters OF the armed boats
5000 ~ ,g'~-.- -. ' -,-~