The Hastings Standard Published Daily MONDAY, MAY 31, 1897. THE CRIMSON EAST.

Hastings Standard, Issue 335, 31 May 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily

MONDAY, MAY 31, 1897. THE CRIMSON EAST.

For the pause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The sky in the East of Europe is still of a crimson hue, notwithstanding the protests of high functionaries and statesmen that the peace of Europe is assured. With all the cry about peace and the Concert of the Powers we have the spectacle of the continental nations, Germany and France in particular, spending huge sums in munitions of war. There can be no assurance of peace while this inordinate expenditure is going on. Moreover the peace, such as it is, is in the hollow of the hand of a half-fledged and somewhat crazy young ruler. Germany is causing more mischief just now than almost any other power, and it is difficult to say w T hat will be the next absurdity that the young fellow in a flurry that now occupies the German throne will find engaging. Were it not for the inexplicable attitude of Germany in the Turko-Grecian entanglement the Eastern question might have been patched up for a time at least. Before the actual outbreak of the hostilities both Turkey and Greece were plainly notified that the victor would not be allowed to acquire an inch of territory of the vanquished. The hoplessness of Greece in the struggle with Turkey was novdoubt present in the minds of the statesmen when they made this decision. Greece has been whipped—whipped out of all semblance of a fight; but in spite of the warning Turkey demanded the cessation of Grecian territory and an indemnity of three millions sterling. The Great Powers promptly'repudiated, or rather withheld their consent to, the terms proposed by Turkey, and in place thereof suggested an indemnity of two millions and the occupation by the Turks of certain strategetical points on the Thessalian frontier. These modified terms were concurred in by all the Powers except Germany, which desired an assurance from Greece that the terms of the Powers would be accepted by her without further question. Eventually, however, Germany consented, to the • terms without any stipulations as to Greece. At the same time as Germany was deliberating on the terms of peace with the other powers, certain suggestive telegraphic messages passed between the Sultan and the Kaiser, in which the former thanked the latter for his expressed goodwill and excellent advice to Turkey, and asking for further advice and support so that Turkey may obtain the full measure of her victory. The modified terms sug* gested by the Great Powers is found to be obnoxious to the Sultan, and his prime minister pleads for the retention of Thessaly, and is reminded that lie was victorious on a former oc-

casion when he resisted European dictation. This makes the situation far more critical than it has ever been. Neither England nor France will consent to Turkish territorial aggrandisement for the Governments of neither country will dare flout the opinions of their people. If the Sultan insists upon annexing Thessaly, Great Britain, France, and Italy are certain to break with the concert of Europe and insist uppn enforcing upon Turkey the terms of peace they have suggested. Lord Salisbury has well nigh exhausted his efforts in keeping the European coalition intact, yet he will be the first to secede from the concert if Turkey is to be allowed to occupy any portion of Grecian territory. The Powers cannot stultify themselves. It is only a few years * years ago that Thessaly was taken from Turkey and given to Greece, and to undo now what was done then is surely an unjustifiable freak. The Powers are held together by the slenderest thread upon which ever and anon there is a great strain. For any one Power to break away will be to separate the lot or divide them into groups, and that division will be seen unless the Turks can be brought into line. Turkish policy is to divide the Powers, to break up the concert, for in that lies her safety, and she will coquet with one and the other to accomplish her ends. When the Armenian massacres were in swing it was Russia that served her purpose, now it is Germany ; but she is not destined to succeed in her work just now. Great Britain is not anxious for war. Apart from her natural peaceful inclination, there is the important event in connection with Her Majesty's reign, the celebration of which will be undertaken in the course of a few weeks, which emphasises in a special manner the anxiety of England for peace. National dishonor the United Kingdom, with its glorious history, cannot and will not tolerate. In order not to mar the Diamond Jubilee celebrations England has put up with a good deal; but she cannot be expected to make concessions for an indefinite period and upon every occasion. The peace of Europe is, apparently not so assured as we were led to believe it was.