|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 4
In the midst of all this danger and confusion, the foreign ambassadors
are endeavoring to arrange for the treaty of peace between Greece and
Turkey.
The peace negotiations seem, however, to be at a standstill.
The protests of Greece against Germany's proposal that her treasury be
controlled until the war indemnity should be paid, finally aroused
England to action.
It was further proposed, if you remember, that the Turkish troops were
not to be withdrawn from Thessaly until the last pound had been paid; it
was also suggested that a regiment or two at a time should leave, as the
debt was paid off, but that Thessaly should be held by the Turks as a
guarantee that Greece would pay.
The other Powers, apparently forgetting that they had sent ultimatums to
Turkey on this subject, finally agreed that the Turkish troops should
stay; but England refused point-blank to listen to any such scheme.
Lord Salisbury, the English Prime Minister, said that whether the war
indemnity be paid or not, the Turkish troops must at once leave
Thessaly. He declared firmly that he would permit no other settlement of
the question, and that rather than allow the Turks to remain longer on
Greek soil, England would break up the concert of the Powers, and take
the consequences.
These were very brave words, and highly pleasing to the national pride
and spirit of England, but the other Powers were indignant that England
should take such a stand. They pretended to forget the angry despatches
which they had sent on this very same subject, and the times they had
refused to carry on further negotiations unless the Sultan consented to
withdraw from Thessaly, and appeared to think that it was the duty of
England to agree with them, no matter how often they changed their
minds.
England alone seemed clearly to see that the consent of the Powers to
this infamous scheme was only the result of the Sultan's wearisome
delays, which after fourteen weeks of unprofitable haggling and
bargaining have made the ambassadors anxious to get the matter settled
one way or another, and be rid of the Sultan and his diplomacy.
England stated her reasons for refusing to agree with the other Powers.
She said that the war indemnity demanded by Turkey was so large that
Greece could never pay it, and that the Turkish occupation of Thessaly
until the debt was settled really meant that Thessaly was to be ceded to
Turkey.
As we have said, the English were very pleased over the stand Lord
Salisbury had taken. It seemed to have been done just at the right
moment, when the Powers, weary of the delay and anxious to have the
Turkish army disbanded, would be ready to threaten Turkey with war if
she did not immediately obey them.
This Turkish army is felt to be a very serious menace to Europe. The
Sultan has an enormous number of soldiers now under arms, and moreover
this army of his is a victorious army, proud of its strength, and
anxious to have fresh opportunity to show its mettle and courage.
An uneasy feeling therefore prevails while this large force is kept
under arms, as at any moment the Sultan may take it into his head to try
and reconquer the Balkan provinces which he lost in the war with Russia.
Should he attempt such a thing Europe would be bound to go to the aid of
the province, and the much-dreaded European war would result. Until the
Turkish army is disbanded the peace of Europe cannot be assured.
It was felt, therefore, that Lord Salisbury had chosen a happy time for
his protest, and that the Sultan must now be forced into doing what is
right.
Unfortunately, Lord Salisbury, while he is a very clever statesman, has
not the courage of his own opinions. He can think out a clever plan
which would be of the greatest benefit to his country, and though in the
beginning he will try with great firmness to enforce it, he cannot stand
up against strong opposition. He has time and again abandoned some
excellent policy, and veered completely round, when he has met strong
opposition.
Much anxiety was felt in London on the present occasion lest he should
not be able to maintain the firm stand he had taken on the Greek
question. This anxiety grew keener when it was found that the other
Powers were opposed to him. His party and his friends did their best to
persuade him to remain firm, and for a time it seemed as though nothing
could shake his resolution. At last the unwelcome news was given out
that the British ambassador in Constantinople had received instructions
from Lord Salisbury to accept the peace proposals of the Turks, and
allow them to remain in Thessaly until the debt should be paid off.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|