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Page 3
From the Philippine Islands the news comes that the natives intend to
prolong the war until Spain's money is exhausted, and then force her to
agree to their demands.
The main fighting in this insurrection has taken place on the island of
Luzon. This island has been visited by a terrible disaster. One of its
volcanic mountains has suddenly burst into activity, and thrown out
streams of lava in such volume that they have travelled over twenty
miles of country until they reached the sea.
It is said that several villages have been destroyed by the lava flow,
and about five hundred persons killed.
* * * * *
There is once more a prospect of a settlement of the Greek question.
After the rejection of Lord Salisbury's plan, about which we told you
last week, it seemed as if matters would again be brought to a
standstill. England refused to consent to any plan that did not include
the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Thessaly, and Germany would not
listen to any arrangement that did not include the full control of the
Greek Treasury.
The Russian Minister, fearing another long delay, appealed to England,
and demanded that she should agree to Germany's plan, or propose some
other that would be agreeable to all the parties concerned.
Lord Salisbury therefore made a new proposal to this effect. The Powers
should take control of the revenues set aside by Greece for the payment
of the war debt to Turkey, and that yet another sum should be handed
over to the Powers to secure the payment of her other debts.
The proposal also stated that when Greece had put the funds into the
hands of the Powers, Turkey was immediately to recall her troops from
Thessaly.
The ambassadors all agreed to accept this plan, which, in truth, gave
both Germany and England the points they desired. After the foreign
Ministers had decided to accept it, it was shown informally to Tewfik
Pasha.
This official also appeared satisfied with the arrangements, and gave
the ambassadors to understand that when it was formally presented to him
he would be able to accept it in the name of the Sultan.
It is therefore expected that the details of the peace treaty will be
settled in a very few days.
Greece, the country most interested in this settlement, is the party
least satisfied with the arrangement.
It is felt in Athens that the terms of the peace are very hard ones. The
frontier question has been so settled that Greece is powerless to defend
herself against the Turks if they should declare war on her again. The
mountain passes and the important places in the mountain ranges will be
in the hands of the Turks, and Greece will lie at the foot of the hills,
a ready prey to any army that may descend on her from the heights.
In addition to this, she has to pay a heavy war indemnity, and to do so
must turn over the control of her revenue to foreigners.
It will take many years before Greece can recover from this blow.
The blockade of Crete is to be brought to an end, or "raised" as it is
called.
The Cretans having accepted the Home Rule offered them by the Powers,
there is no longer any need for the allied fleets to remain there, and
therefore the war-ships are to leave the island.
It is difficult to see what good they have accomplished. When Djevad
Pasha arrived at the island, giving himself all the airs of a new
Turkish governor, the Cretans accepted Home Rule in the belief that the
Powers would protect them from the Turks.
Not being wily diplomatists, they did not insert any clause about the
withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, and therefore the Powers
do not feel bound to demand this of Turkey, and are taking away the only
protection the Cretans had, and are leaving them just as much at the
mercy of the Turks as they were before Greece tried to go to their
rescue.
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