THE EASTERN SITUATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 21

THE EASTERN SITUATION.

BESUMPTIOISI OP HOSTILITIES. AN ULTIMATUM TO THE SULTAN. London, Jnly 5. In consequence of the Sultan persisting in retaining the line of the river Pencios as the new GrEeco-Turkish frontier in Thessaly, the Powers have presented a joint note to the Porte. July 6. Eeports from the seat of war show that hostilities have again broken out between the Turks and the Greeks. The Turks occupied Kalamabaka after a conflict with the Greek irregulars. Owing to the Sultan refusing to yield his Claims to the Theasalian territory relations between the Porte and the foreign embassies tave become gravely strained. July 7. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury, replying to a question relative to the Giasco-Turkish war, said the Porte was entirely chargeablt with the delays which had arisen in connection with the settlement of peace. These delays were causing great injury and eyen danger. The Powers were j in absolute agreement. The chances of an early and satisfactory solution of the difficulty would increase in proportion as the situation became analogous to the state of affairs prevailing in 1877, when at the close | of the Ruaio-Turkish war Prince Bismarck ] presided over the European Conference with j the Russian army lying close to Constantinople. Russia has issued a circular note to the Powers suggesting certain steps foi expediting the peace negotiations between Turkey j and Greece. Russia desires to forestall , similar proposals on the part of other i Powers. Jaly 11. I The Powers have addressed a severe j Collective note to the Sultan. They insist j on the cessation of all obstruction to the ■ conclusion of peace with Greece, ant upon j the acceptance by the Forte of the new Turko-Greek frontier as traced by the military attaches at Constantinople. Constantinople, July 6. Tha German Ambassador, Baron Jeltsch, has received precise instructions to advise Turkey to withdraw from the strategic frontier in Thessaly. Jaly 10. Emperor Francis wired to the Sultan Strongly advising him to conclude prompt ptace with Greece on the basis of the conditions drawn up by th* embassies, which represented the maximum concessions that could be granted. These were considered equitable. As Germany and Russia have expressed similar views the Sultan is dismayed at the situation. July 11. ' The Turkish squadron is conveying three tnontht' provisions to Crete for the Turkish ioldiers stationed there. Athens, July 8. Owing to the repeated attacks made by them upon the forces of the foreign Powers

operating on the island, the admirals have warned "the Cretan insurgents that they intend to strengthen the marching column)?, which in future will be accompainied by cannoD, and will severely repress attacks upon them. St. Petersburg, July 11. The Novoe Vremya cays that unless the Sultan submits to the terms dictated by the Powers it will be necessary to end Turkey as a European State. " The attitude taken up by Ruesia on the question of the Turkish occupation of Thes- j aaly," says The Times Athens correspondent, I "has produced much misgiving, and it is believed that she proposed to sanction the continuance of the occupation as a pledge for the earlier payment of the indemnity, a portion of ; which will pass to herself as part payment of ; the Turkish war indemnity. However the i question may be settled, it is thought probable that the negotiations will drag on for a considerable time. A revival of the strong feeling against the persons assumed or alleged to be responsible for the war and its disasters is taking place in Athena. It is aaid that the : Government will institute a commiision of inquiry, the Ethnike Hetaria being especially denounced." A Daily News letter from Larisaa, tinder date May 3, said :—": — " A recent trip aorosß the newlycocquered country, all the way from Maluna Pass to L&rissa, gave to the traveller very little idea of the recent loDg battle which had been waged over this ground. The beautiful plain of Larißß» is almost wholly a field of waving grain not quits ready for the sickle. These harvests have been wholly and sacredly left standing to await the reapers, with only breastworks here and there. The fields have been guarded with a care that is as wonderful as it is commendable. The advancing army seems to have always moved forward in an orderly manner along the roads or across the plain ; and on sown fields there are not many remains of battle to ba seen. There are" very few dead animals or burying trenches, and only a profusion of cartridge boxes, canteens, and caps, and such little things as might even be left behind by an army marching over a country in peace." : M. Ralli, in the course of conversation with i the Standard correspondent at Athens on 26th ! May, expressed his gratitude to England for the decided attitude she had taken up with regard to the evacuation of Thessaly. "Thanks to British firmness," he said, "Greece might yet hope to save the corn crop in Thessaly, which, is estimated to be worth 25,000,000f. That, however, would not be the full amount of the saving, since if the crops were lost the Thessalian peasants would have to be supported for 12 monthß, while the necessity for providing them with seed, coupled with the loss of the crop, would be certain to have an adverse effect on the rate of exchange. The gold required to pay the coupon would be at least 10 per cent. dearer, and consequently the loss of the crop would entail a total deficiency of about so.ooo.ooof."