THE CRISIS IN THE EAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10414, 12 April 1897, Page 4

THE CRISIS IN THE EAST.

«_ , So many critical situations have been waived in the pending troubles in the East of Europe, that hope may be entertained that some solution will be found for the difficulty that has suddenly arignn on the Grecian frontier. It has certainly the appearance of being the most critical of all, for the forces of Greece and of Turkey on that frontier have been brought into actual collision, presumably by the unauthorised advance of the Grecian irregulars. It is not the first time that irregular forces, acting independently or in defiance of orders, have taken the most prominent part in forcing hostilities, and the service rendered by Garibaldi and his soldiers, in arousing the populations and forcing Hie position in the war of Italian independence might well be taken as an example of what might be done amongst the discontented people of the Turkish provinces byanincursionofirregularGreektroops even without the formal approval of the Greek Government. But the situation that has been created is one that cannot stand still. The invaders appear to have been surrounded by an overwhelming Turkish force, although they have held their ground in the first day's ltlD &- If they are not relieved either by the rising in the Turkish provinces, which was doubtless expected, or by the advance of the regular army of Greece, they will apparently be cut down or captured, to, 1 *" 1 fl C ? treated as bandits and the effect of this on the already overstrained passions of the Greek population may be easily foreseen. Any advance o the regular Grecian army for the help of their compatriots will be followed, as is declared, by a forward movement of the whole K ! 'rW.MKW the Grecian frontter; while' it may with certainty be expected that any sender of that itte contingent of Grecian patriots to theirfateatthe mi * of Turkey, will be followed by such an outburst of P. at " ot ' c fervour that neither the Dower of the Government nor the fear of consequences at the hand .of the Great SZTT- h '•? able * prevent the Ureek nation from being impelled to war. It is. the, popular passion, in Ureece, more, apparently, than the perwnaldttiresof the King and hUMintsters, that ia the: principal factor to be

reckoned with in the ntvi 7* 1: bably nothing could be cafouSH more inflame excitement thSSe turn of these; patriots, who with afi I certain death l,fore them have fcj * themselves across the frontier into,,? ' I campot the enemy. Not LX J days but ours must decide thefei I this little band, and determine the A?' 1 sequences that will come of it Wl