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Page 3
The following day the Ambassadors sent to Tewfik Pasha, and asked him
whether Turkey was willing to resume the peace councils in accordance
with the wishes of the Powers. They stated very clearly that if matters
were not to be discussed on those lines, they would be obliged to break
off the conference, and tell their various governments that Turkey could
only be made to obey by force of arms.
After consulting with his Government, Tewfik Pasha replied that the
Porte was willing to accept the frontier suggested--with some slight
alterations.
This did not seem unreasonable to the Ambassadors, and they telegraphed
hopefully to their governments that the peace was as good as concluded.
As to the slight changes asked for, the Powers had informed Turkey early
in the conference that they would be willing to meet her wishes in
regard to the frontier line if it was possible to do so.
Everything seemed in train for a speedy peace. In addition to being
willing to give up Thessaly, the Sultan had also intimated that he would
reduce the sum of money asked for as war indemnity. When first the
negotiations were commenced, Turkey demanded $50,000,000. It was said
that she would now accept $20,000,000.
The Ambassadors were prepared to have the Porte (the Turkish Government)
ask that all the mountain passes between Greece and Turkey should be
given to Turkey, and that the army should continue to occupy Thessaly
until the war indemnity was paid. They thought that the final
understanding would be reached at the very next meeting.
They were doomed to disappointment. The following day, when the
conference assembled, Tewfik Pasha kept the Ambassadors waiting a long
time for him, and, when he at last appeared, laid a new frontier plan
before the diplomats.
To their surprise, they found that the frontier demanded was mapped out
in direct opposition to their wishes.
They one and all declined to discuss it, and informed Tewfik that they
would adjourn until he brought a written acceptance of the frontier as
they had designated it, and the meeting broke up with unpleasant feeling
on both sides.
The military experts who had arranged the frontier line had appointed
the day after this stormy interview to meet the Turkish frontier
commission.
They waited and waited, but the Turks did not put in an appearance.
They then went over and reported the fact to the Ambassadors, who had
met together in the council room--in the hope that Tewfik would come
with the written acceptance.
The hours went by and brought no Tewfik.
The Ambassadors went to the Austrian embassy to talk the matter over and
decide what course they should pursue. They had hardly reached the place
before the Pasha appeared. He said that the Sultan, his master, had
detained him and the military commission, discussing the situation, and
added that the Sultan had decided to appoint two of the military
delegates to discuss the peace negotiations in his (Tewfik's) place.
Believing this to be but an excuse for further delay, the Ambassadors
one and all refused to have any dealings with any one but Tewfik Pasha.
The Turkish Minister then withdrew, to acquaint His Majesty with the
decision of the Ambassadors--and so the matter stands for the present.
No one knows what the Sultan's next move will be.
England does not believe that he really intends to give up Thessaly, but
the other Powers think that he will do so as soon as he is absolutely
sure that a refusal will mean war.
* * * * *
The most interesting news in regard to Cuba this week is the renewal of
the report that Spain and Japan have entered into an alliance against
the United States.
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