WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1897. THE WAR CLOUD OVER EASTERN EUROPE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 74, 31 March 1897, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1897. THE WAR CLOUD OVER EASTERN EUROPE.

The outlook in South-eastern Europe is blacker and more ominous of evil than ever. Out cablegrams announce a condition of affairs in Crete which does not appear likely to be remedied by the merely peaceful arts of European diplomatists. Vassos, the commander of the Greek troops in Crete, acting no doubt on the advice of his Government, has declared war on the Great Powers, and the fleets of the latter have applied for reinforcements. On the Greek frontier the Turks are massing large bodies of men, and Russia is pushing forward similar preparations in the southern part of that Empire. Meanwhile Greece jshows no inclination to accede to the proposal of the Powers that both she and Turkey should withdraw their troops from Crete. The little kingdom has been insistent in her demands for a fuller control of Cretan affairs than the Powers at this stage are willing to concede, and in the event of not being granted all she asks she will evidently not be restrained, by threats or entreaties, by a sense of the grave responsibility she assumes, or the fear of consequences, from plunging into war and dragging Europe with her. It is almost impossible to believe that the Greeks are following this dangerous course unaided by the sympathy "of some of the European Governments,but circumstances would not certainly indicate such to be the case. There is nothing to show that beyond I a sense of having European public j sentiment on their side, their warlike enthusiasm receives any encouragement from beyond their own borders. The people of Athens and the country generally have apparently become drunk with excitement, and the King has yielded to popular pressure if he was not intoxicated himself. Nor does there seem to be much chance of a change. The "sober second thought" is not likely to come to these perfervid temperaments till it is too late. A month ago the populace of Athens demanded that the King should pay no attention to the warnings and demands ol the Powers, but that Greece should maintain her position in the face of Europe. To this the monarch replied that " he and the Government were fulfilling the mandate of the entire Hellenic people in going to the aid of the struggling Cretans, and in seeking to regain possession of the island." To-day all the devices of the Powers have not succeeded in shaking either king or people from that position. The friends of Greece believe that she has every justification lor the attitude she has assumed, and if her claims could be satisfied without involving anything more than the loss of Crete by Turkey, we might all with good reason entertain the same opinion. But it is because ihe obstinacy of the little State threatens the i peace of Europe that her conduct has alienated many who were well disposed towards her. That the "subsequent complications " so much dreaded may, as is conjectured, arise entirely »rom the policy of Russia, which is believed to be bolstering up the Sultan for purely selfish reasons hardly affords sufficient grounds for Greece constituting herself .arbiter of the fate of Europe. At least, it is very certain that the Powers will not regard it in that light. Nevertheless, our sympathies are entirely with the plucky little kingdom, and as every week's despatches from Europe convey the news of some new villainy perpetrated by " the unspeakable Turk," we feel that nothing which may befall Europe through the action of Greece can be more intolerable than the perpetuation of Turkish rule as a disgrace lo the civilised world and a perpetual menace to its peace. The position in Crete to-day is such that at any moment we may expect to hear the blast of war in our ears blow-, ing from the island in a much louder key than has yet been sounded, or from the mainland. In the first instance the danger will be infinitely less than in the latter. General Vassos may do his worst, and although hostilities might be prolonged, owing to the character o£~t-he country, so long as the war was confined to the island the risk to Europe would be small. But once let the flames spread across to Greece, and there is no knowing what a conflagration will ensue. The mustering of the Greek and Turkish forces on the frontier may well cause anxiety and apprehension, for with the elements of combustion so close together a very small spark may kindle the fire. The two races hate one another with an undying hatred, and only an opportunity is needed for them to be at each other's throats. In a moment the centre of disturbance may shift from

Crete to Europe, and once there its deadly circumference may widen with appalling swiftness over the Continent.

The Whangarei licensing ekct.oi_%* suited* in, John -B. ; Ariell, ' votes, Walter G. Clark, 253; Rogers, 241; R Hames, 262; A. B, Mason, 368; j'. m' McKay, 397 ; J. D. McKenzie, 380 ; T.Tf, Moody, 311; the last named .five are elected. , ;i ../*, „ A gumdigger named Ruddy, wbo-was broughb from Henderson to the Diatitict Hospital on Monday by bhe police for medical treatment, died in bhe Hospital yesterday. He had been living in th 9 district by himself in a whare for the last eighteen montha, and on Sunday he waa found by the neighbours in an unconscious state, supposed to have been broughb on by an attack of apoplexy. He did nod recover consciousness or speech before^ ho died. The report of the Mutual Life Assoc.* bion of - Australasia, presented ab tbe bwenby-eighbh yearly meebing, called, for Monday lasb, states that tbe second year of the quinquennium has been marked by the completion of an amount of new business exceeding that recorded in any previous 12 months of the Association's history. Two thousand six hundred and five proposals were received, for sums amounting to £884,001 6s 4d ; 587 of bhese were declined, or nob taken up, or were in course of completion ; 2,018 policies were issued for £677,150 (including annuities for £129 13s 4d, the consideration' money being £1,637 Is 7d), producing i a new annual premiums £18,040 9s 9d, A branch office, with an influential Board of Directors, was established, ia April last, ab Perbh, Wesb Australia, ia lieu of bhe local agency. The directorate confident tbab bhe initial expense ot thia extension of operations, and bhe additional oublay necessitated by the acquisition of ,a larger volume of new business (to whieb the branch has made a valuable contriimbion), will be fully compensated for by a continued increase in bho future annual premium income. The investments have been further writben-down bo £10,530 ljjg lOd, making the total sum so applied during the lasb four years £42,8(36 9s .Bd,; That it has nob been necessary to "wribe off" a larger amounb is due to , the conservative policy pursued in previous years of nover " writing up " bho assets. The interesb revenue has again proved more ■ bhan sufficienb bo pay claims by death, and endowmonb assurances matured during bhe year, with bonuses added* and tbe "oubsbanding inberesb" ab close of accounts, £874 lis 3d, is referred to with satisfaction, as being remarkably small. The by-laws, now numbering only 24, as revised and condensed afber careful consideration by the Board, were adopted and confirmed by special general meetings in November last, and have since been issued bo all members of the Association. Tbe funds of the Association now amounb to £1,155.760, an increase during the year of £47.993.' The Devonport Districb School picnic took place ab Pine Island tedfty, andj thanka in groab measure to bhe beautiful weather, was very largely abtended. The p.s. Osprey lefb Devonporb ab 10.30 this morning, with fully 700 excursionists on board, and after calling ab Qaee_-B.reet Wharf, proceeded up to Pine lelanicU Sports and other amusements weris pro»! vided for the children, the tea being supplied by the School Committee.; The p.s. Eagle lefb Devonporb and Queen.slireet , Wharf this afternoon, taking farther instalments of picnickers np to Pine Island. The picnic will return aboub 6.30 p.m. Tbe Ferry Company also despatched bhe p.s. Tongariro this afternoon on a fishing excursion down the harbour, which was largely abtended. I All Saints' school-room was crowded last evening, when a very successful conceit was given in aid of a fund for bhe purchase of practical, science appliances for the Bayfield school. The concert was given i/ well-known lady and gentlemen amatenn, assisted by pupils attending the fichoU Tbe performance of the Amazon Mated by the latter, as well ac their rendering of the chorus, "Won't You Come to Our Tea Party," showed careful training and preparation by bheir head-teacher, jMt Christie. The proceeds of the concert,; supplemented by a £ for £ subsidy from the Education Board, will maberially assist in placing the Bayfield school in the front rank in bhe science branch;of the educational syllabus. The following programme was very credibably gone through, each ibem being heartily applauded:— Piano solo, "Le Tampa De Vintage," Madame Leleivre; Bong, " Dinah," Mr Abelßowe ; song, "The Sleeping Camp," MrChristie; song(selected),MissPlummer; recibabion, "The Sailors," Miss Hazel Knight; song, "The Flower Girl," Miss Mary Uannon ; chorus, " Won'b You Come bo My Tea-party," pupils; dneb (piano and violin), "Ungarische Tanze" (Schlopski), Mr and Miss Hemus; recibation, "A Life for a Life," Miss L. Tagby i song, "For Away," Miss Dora Robs; ciarioneb solo, Mr Hooper ; song (selected). Miss Moody; violin solo, "Cavatina, Madame Leleivre; recibabion, "Aunt Tabitha," Mies M. Beaumont ; aong, "Bid Me to Lovo " (wibh violin obligate by Mr Hemu6), Miss HaDd ; Amazon marcbi pupils ; recitation, " The Wreck of the Hesperus," Miss A. Buchanan; song, f'Ow of the Mist," Mr Balance ; song (selected), Miss Plummer ; song, " The Song > of Songs," Mr Leslie Dix. The accompanists; wero Miss Adams. Madame Leleivre, Miss Crawford aud Mr Phillpotb. The usual meeting of the Auckland Women's Liberal League was held las' evening in the Wesley Hall and was well attended. The President, Mrs Rule, occupied tho chair, She stated that there was, practically no business to be considered until after the return of their representative from the Women's National Convention m Chrisbchurch. The drawing in connection with the art union for the yacht Hohoro took place las' evening ab the Metropolitan Hotel. A committee was elected by bhe large number of tickeb-holders presenb, and bhe drawing resulted in Mr J." Morran, of Lome-street, receiving the prize. The Auckland Swimming Club's gala. which wa3 to have been held this evening, has been abandoned, on account ■of tW small number of entries received, combined with the coldness of the water > t_e. ; Bathß. ';.;,.i.;;i A notification re Auckland Cooperati" Terminating Building Society appears elsewhere. Wilson, McCullagh and Co.'s &Wsj/\ deparbmenb is full of bho mosb beauto"" designs of Parisian artists, all marked!» extremely low priceß. —Advt. Of oil articles of apparel none ia co »»* portent to health and comforb as BU,t^; 8 underwear,—Browne and Co. have it, «*» Queen-streeb. —(Advb.) , Wilson, McCullagh and Co. have noff for sale a bremendous stock of dress tweeds English, foreign and colonial manufacture. Beßb value, lo wesb prices.—Advb. If you are over fastidious in your appa« we are particularly anxious to know J 00"""" Browne and Co., hatters, mercers, V."™' streeb.—(Advb,) . We make a speciality of all c!bss«i <J dross fabrics, an immense assortment good value.—Smibh and Caughey.-(Aa"'' Take a look bhrough Wilson, McCujlag and Co.'s show room and notice the un stock of silk mantles, bweed capes, w» mackinboshes, ebe, all marked «n P 1 figures at lowesb prices.—Advb. Look in our window whenever you !P^ an opporbuniby—ib'a a ■ journal».or *' Bn i fashionß. Subscription free.-Browne w Co., habters, mercers, Queen-streec. (Advt.) For drapery goods of all binds, WJ "j -McCullagh and Co.'s is the cb»p»y besb in the city.—Advt.