THE CRISIS IN SOUTHERN EUROPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10405, 1 April 1897, Page 5

THE CRISIS IN SOUTHERN EUROPE.

THE SITUATION GROWS MORE ALARMING. VASSOS DECLARES WAR AGAINST THE POWERS. ADMIRALS DESIRE REINFORCEMENTS. THE TURKISH FRONTIER. MASSING OF THE OPPOSING FORCES. BRITAIN'S POLICY. Frits Association,— Telegraph.-Copyright. Athens, March 30. The Admirals of the foreign flefets eu gaged in the blockade of Crete have applied to the Powers for reinforcements. They report that Colonel Vassos, Commander of the Greek forces in Crete, has declared open war aeainst | the Powers, and that it will be neces- | sary to treat the insurgents as enemies if they persist in attacks on Oanea. The Duke of Sparta (Crown Prince of Greece) has arrived at Larissa, in Northern Greece, close to the Turkish frontier, where 30,000 Greek troops are assembled. Much enthusiasm prevails amongst the Greeks. A strong corps is posted at Tyrnavos, near Larissa, and at Trikala and Arta, on the north-western frontier. The Greek fleet is guarding Prevesa and Volo. Constantinople, March 30. Edhem Pasha commands the Turkish forces on the Greek frontier. They number 150,000, including 8000 cavalry and a large body of artillery with 200 Krupp guns. The discipline and health of the Turkish troops are excellent. There are 50,000 Turkish troops at Elassona, near the Greek frontier. A strong column is posted atGravena and Caterina. There is also a Turkish column at Janina, in Albania, The Turkish position is superior to that held by the Greek forces. (London, March 30. In the House of Commons, Mr. Curzon said it was not true that Britain was siding with Turkey. Lord Salisbury had secured autonomy for the Cretans,

THE LATEST.

AUSTRIA STOPS EXPORT OF CARTRIDGES TO GREECE. BRITISH TROOPS UNDER ORDERS. WARSHIPS ORDERED TO BE READY. GREEK TROOPS SHELLED. Vienna, March 30. Tlio Government lias prohibited the export of seven million cartridges intended for Greece, London, March 30. A detachment of six hundred of the Welsh Fusiliers lias been ordered to proceed to Crete. British warships belonging to the Cape station have been ordered to make ready to proceed to sea. In the House of Commons, Mr. Curzon stated that the admirals of the allied fleets were prepared to re-victual places in Crete where food was most required. Athens, March 31. The Cretan Central Committee has appealed to the rulers of Europe not to starve 300,000 Christians into accepting the scheme of autonomy. The Greeks attacked Fort Izzedin, which dominates Suda Bay, but the admirals came to the relief of the garrison which occupied the fort and shelled the Greeks. It is announced that the Powers will each send an additional GOO men to Crete. In spite of the blockade, re-victual-ling is extensively carried out. . London, March 31. In consequence of the orders to the Cape Squadron to prepare to proceed to sea, Admiral Ilawson, who recently commanded the operations of the Niger expedition, returns to the Cape immediately. In the House of Commons Mr. Curzon stated that Britain was supporting the proposals of the Powers with reference to the appointment of a Governor of Crete, and the Turkish troops would withdraw as the Admirals directed. The other Powers were considering the matter. Berlin, March 31. It is reported that a number of German military officers are joining Edhem Pasha.

AN EXPLANATION OF GREECE'S . ACTION.

Writing on February 12 the Paris correspondent of the London Times sends that journal the following interesting letter on the notion of the Kin? of Greece I have boen spending the last two days in endeavouring to meet) and converse with the largest possible number of people whose opinion could be of value regarding the question of Greece and Crete, which, after all, is essentially a European question. From what I have gathered I desire to try and bring dut whatever may throw some light on a situation which is nothing if not confused and obscure. It will be understood that at such a moment, and in reference to a state of things which has become so unexpectedly acute, I do not pretend to express personal views, but to reproduce those which appear to me most worthy of confidence. The first thing which 6eoffis to bate struck, or, rather, surprised, all the persons whom 1 have seen is the complete contrast between the attitude now suddenly assumed by King George and that which he had adopted ever since his accession. No Sovereign has displayed a more balanced mind, or a more pacific temper. True, certain diplomatists in Greece have for soma time been affirming that the situation in Athens was disquieting, that the population was in « ferment, that the King 1 was much affected by this attitude, that the Ministers and Chamber were incapable of controlling the agitation, and that the Government was assuming more and more a revolutionary character, and had fallen into the hands of the masses. But those who know Greece best know that there is no country in the world where noisy demonstrations are really less to be dreaded, nor one where * little calmness and firmhess more easily ward off possible danger while in the diplomatic and political world no one believes that this popular movement, this agitation' of the mob, has occasioned this sudden and unaccustomed attitude of bis Majesty. : King George is the monarch of peace par | excellence. ' During the' 30 years of hit j reign he has had to face still more violent! movements) but , has managed to hold out against all excesses, and to keep .within w'uutt »ad fwlfo tfppartiaiu tfw gut-,

burst of Pan-Hellenism. Throughout the last Russio-Turkish war he succeeded both in maintaining and restraining the ardent agitation, ana during and after the Congress, while defending step by step with extreme obstinacy the interests, I will not say the rights of Greece, he avoided everything which could offend Europe in its peaceful aims. This Monarch now suddenly displays a combative spirit of adventure which frightens even his own Cabinet. He urges the despatch of the fleet to Cretan waters, he encourages and arouses public demonstrations, be traverses almost theatrically the crowded streets of his capital, he applauds those who affirm that a struggle with Turkey is what the Greek navy is to undertake. He sends his son with the torpedo boats on a mysterious mission, accompanying him to the vessel end, while the cries of the people resound, the Queen at her window sheds abundant tears as if her son were rushing into the most terrible dangers which a warlike Prince can face.

Evidently an attitude such as this, so unusual, in such marked contrast with that maintained by King George throughout his life, is nob improvised. If it were its imprudence and temerity would stamp him as one of the most impulsive, heedless Sovereigns on the globe. If he acts thus it is because he believes himself free to do so without imperilling his country's interests and those of his dynasty and himself. Indeed, the country does not) run any risk whatever, for the rumour of the 10,000 Turkish soldiers on the Macedonian frontier ready to fall on Greece frightens nobody, Yet by sending ships to Crete and declaring that they will prevent the landingof Turkish troops, while all along Greece has been landing combatants, arms, and ammunition at every accessible point of the island, be seems to be defying the whole of Europe and to be rushing madly to a disaster. It is, therefore, because he thinks, because he has reason to believe, that he can count on the support of certain persona and on the tolerance of others. There is no other possible explanation. The departure of his torpedo-boat flotilla made too much stir, it was too triumphal, too dramatic and affecting for the Prince and the vessels to return to Greece without having done something, without some result justifying an enterprise so national and temerity so Royal. It would be suicide, and the worst of suicidessuicide by ridicule. This, however, is not admissible, and on a little reflection it appears certain and logical that the King counts on some powerful support. That support it is not difficult to specify. All with whom I have talked for the last two days are convinced that Russia, in spite of all that is or may be said, is ready to screen Greece in her designs on Crete. An influential politician said to me, this morning, " Russia now acts from polioy, not from sentiment." This is possible, but this is not an affair of sentiment, but something more imperative. The King of Greece is brother of the Dowager Empress of Rossis, and is the devoted friend of the Russian Imperial family, the Queen is tenderly loved by all who are connected with Denmark and Russia. They cannot be abandoned in this emergency. Everybody is convinced that they have acted with the certainty of being screened by their great and powerful family. The departure of Prince George leaves no doubt about it. M. de Nelidoff is doing hie utmost to delay open and avowed support because this would impair Russian action in Constantinople, and the Russian papers, having received the cue, do what they can so that Russian action should not be too evident. French statesmen do what they can not to have it thought that they are following Russia wherever she pleases to lead them. But if things cannot succeed for the Greeks without the open co-operation of Russia such co-operation will be manifest.

RUSSIA PREPARING FOR WAR.

The London Times of February 17 publishes the following important telegram from its St. Petersburg correspondent There is no longer the least' doubt that Russia is preparing for war. Ido not mean for a moment to say that she is preparing to declare war or to make war against anybody, but everything is being got ready, as far as the winter season will allow, to meet any necessity in connection with the Turkish difficulty which may call for warlike action at or near Constantinople. The lilack Sea fleet, consisting of six firstclass ironclads and a large number of gunboats, torpedo-boats, etc., under the flag of Admiral Kopitoff, commander of the Black Sea ports, is ready to start at a moment's notice, and a cash credit has been opened by the Imperial Admiralty at Sevastopol. It appears to have been stated in an English paper that the Baltic fleet is also being made ready, but the author of that news had evidently forgotten the ice-bound condition of Russia's northern ports at this season of the year. There is some activity at Kronstadt in view of the opening of spring navigation, and the Grand Duke Alexis has just paid a visit ef inspection there. It has been reported that he had gone to the Black Sea, bub this is not true. Admiral Avellan, the chief of the naval staff, went there some little time ago to see that all was in order, and sealed instructions were at the same time sent to the commanders of the Russian ships in Greek waters. There is also a partial, if not a complete, mobilisation of a certain number of troops in the South. Even the Red Cross Society is active in the same direction. A Russian friend of mine just arrived here tells me that while lying very ill in one of the towns on the railway route to the Crimea he wished to be transferred to a bed in the local hospital of the Red Cross Society, but was informed that he could not be admitted owing to preparations for receiving sick and wounded incase of war.

What is the meaning of these warlike preparations ? As far as one can make out they are dictated chiefly by a fear of England and mistrust of English policy. At least this is the popular idea. Russians say that England now has the- formidable number of more than forty battleships within easy reach of the Dardanelles, and Russia must be ready, not only to deal with any emorgency that may arise in Turkey itself in the course of compelling the Sultan's Government to carry out the forthcoming reforms, but also to forestall, if possible, any sudden attempt'of England to threaten the Turkish capital. Official explanation would, no doubt, be of a completely calming and reassuring nature if the public were made aware of them ; but) such information in this country is kept solely for the enlightenment of foreign Governments who might venture, perhaps, to make inquiries.