WAR IN THE EAST AND MAHAN'S MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 23, 1897.

WAR IN THE EAST.

How It Was Finally Brought About.

SIMPLE STATEMENT OF THE FACTS.

Claims of the Greeks and of the Porte. The Island Always a Storm Center.

Why the so-Called Organic Statute Failed—The Armies, the Commanders and the Seat of War.

   The immediate cause of the war between Greece and Turkey, according to the claims of the porte, is due to the action of the Greek irregulars in penetrating Macedonia and attacking various minor Turkish posts, responsibility for which the Greek government avows. The latter, on the other hand, lays the onus on the Turks, who advanced into Thessaly. This resulted in a sharp conflict between bodies of the regular troops at the town of Nezeros, which lies immediately under the shadow of Mount Olympus, the fabled home of the greater gods of the ancient Greeks.

   The Greeks, who must be considered the aggressive party, say they sent troops to the island of Crete to oppose the Turks because the latter were massacring the Christians. A further cause for the belligerency is their impatience because the reforms imposed upon Turkey by the great powers have not been put into execution.

   But it is necessary to go back much farther to understand the primary cause of this great eastern crisis. Crete was the last of the Turkish conquests in Europe, having been captured from the Venetians after a desperate struggle. Like Ireland, Crete was imperfectly conquered at the beginning, and the flame of discord has been kept alive in the island owing to the existence of a large minority differing in creed from the bulk of the population and long maintained in a privileged position by the ruling power. A disturbing influence was also exercised from without, for the Greeks of the mainland have always fostered the revolutionary element among their brethren.

   Shortly after the Turkish conquests a large number of the Greek inhabitants, through one cause or another—it may have been compulsion, or possibly it was fear and self interest—embraced the creed of Islam, and of course thus effectually dissolved all ties of blood, language and tradition. Today the Mussulman Greek of Crete is to all intents and purposes a Turk and is so regarded by his Christian kinsmen. Crete, however, played an important in the Greek war of independence, and it would have been made a part of the new Hellenic kingdom if the European powers had kept their hands off, but they insisted in forcing Crete back under the Turkish rule and encouraging Turkey to retake it. After a insurrection which lasted over three years, and which cost the Turkish and Egyptian treasuries some $30,000,000, a scheme of reform known as the "organic statute" was drawn up. This measure appeared to concede a large amount of self government to the island. It gave it a legislative assembly and judicial system of its own. The latter however, was merely a mockery, and the former was reduced to impotence by being forbidden even to discuss any matter which had not previously received the sanction of the government.

   Thus the organic statute proved a failure and the island became as discontented as ever. Another insurrection occurred in 1878, and in the fall of that year through the mediation of England, a compact was drawn up which retained the general system of the organic statute, but provided for its more practical application. This was not satisfactory to the Cretans however, and they soon divided into two parties. Intrigue followed intrigue, and only one man has had the courage to hold the office of civil governor for a full term. All the others were driven to resign it.

   A crisis came in 1889. The governor considered it to be his constitutional duty to bestow a certain number of appointments on the Liberals, and the Conservatives thereupon took up arms and withdrew to the mountains. Then the half dormant fanaticism of the people became aroused and the island was again plunged into civil war. In the space of a few months about 100 Christians and Musslemans were murdered. Nine thousand dwelling houses, 152 schools, 57 mosques and 14 churches were burned. Property to the amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth was destroyed. The insurgent Christians, however, got the worst of it. The porte soon became master of the situation and proclaimed martial law. The compact of 1878 was practically abrogated, and for the next five years Crete was ruled autocratically by a succession of Mussulman governors.

   The attention of the powers was attracted to the unhappy state of the island, and toward the end of 1894 the porte was induced to select a Christian named Alexander Karatheodury Pasha as governor. He seemed to be acceptable to both Christians and Mussulmans. The assembly met again for the first time since 1889 and passed some good laws. But these were vetoed by the porte, and trouble again began. Finally in March of last year the Christian governor was recalled, and Turkhan Pasha, a Mussulman, was appointed in his stead. The change seemed to dissatisfy everybody, Mussulman as well as Christian. The number of murders on both sides increased. Turkhan showed considerable energy in punishing the guilty and in upholding the law, but the revolt continued and disturbances were rife all last summer. Greece send considerable aid to the Christian Cretans, and this led Russia and Germany to propose blockading the island, but Great Britain refused to sanction such a scheme, and the [scheme] was therefore abandoned.

   A plan of reform was agreed upon by the powers last September and accepted by the sultan. There was to be a Christian governor, who should appoint the subordinate officials, two-thirds of them Christian and one-third Mussulman, and other reforms were agreed upon which promised to be advantageous to the Christian Cretans. For one reason or another however, they were not carried out. Thus the present acute crisis ensued, and it derives its importance from the intervention of Greece. The [annexation] of Crete to

Greece has been proclaimed, and Greek troops have taken possession of the island with the exception of a few ports which are held by the fleets of the powers.

   The inhabitants of Crete, both Christians and Mussulmans, seem to approve of the annexation, and there is reason to believe that even the porte itself would not strenuously object to it. But Russia and Germany have done all in their power to prevent it. The alternative offered is a measure of autonomy. At the beginning of the year that would probably have been accepted. Now it is regarded with suspicion, as a mere ruse of the powers to throw Crete back under unrestrained Turkish rule.

   The Turkish commander is one Edham Pasha. He saw service in the Turco- Russian war as colonel and brigade commander, but he has had no experience in the leadership of a large army. Prince Constantine, the commander of the Greek army, has a military training which is purely that of the academy and drill ground, and there seems to be no general under him who has had a different experience. In numbers the Turkish army of advance is far larger than the Greek forces, and there is reason to expect that the latter may get the worst of it at the outset. The Greeks, however, have the best reason to look for efficient help from their large body of irregulars, which have been pouring into Macedonia and Epizus. From this source the tide of uprising against Turkish rule promises to swell into a great volume. Other elements that favor the Greeks are the facts that the fighting will be in Hellenic territory, which the Greeks know thoroughly, and the whole of the nation is on fire with passionate enthusiasm.

   All that the great powers can do just at present is to look on and localize the conflict as far as it is possible. But the issue is not merely between Turkey and Greece, nor the question merely the government of Crete. A war between Turkey, all of whose traditions are despotism, and Greece, all of whose traditions are liberty, may easily involve, before it be completed,all Europe in a war between absolutism and democracy. It may result in an uprising throughout Europe until every government east of Russia is revolutionized and make liberalism dominant from the Mediterranean to the Baltic.

   The accompanying map gives a good general idea of the country in the neighborhood of the Greek-Turkish frontier where the hostile armies confront one another. It is extended south to show the geographical relations of Athens and the present region of conflict. The frontier extends from the Ionian sea at the gulf of Arta, on the west, to the gulf of Salonika, near Mount Olympus, the fabled home of the old Greek deities, on the east.

   In moving the Greek troops to the north they were embarked on shipboard at the Piraeus, the port, of Athens, and sailed down the gulf of Aegina to the Aegean sea, and then north to the port of Bolos, also known as Volo. This port is connected with Larissa by rail, and a few hours after landing the troops were in Larissa, the present headquarters of the Greek army at the front. The Turkish city of Salonika has been the gathering point of the Turkish forces. Salonika is at the head of the gulf of Salonika, 65 miles northeast of the town of Elassona in Macedonia. Elassona is the headquarters of the Turkish forces in Macedonia. The Turkish troops have reached this town and other points along the Turkish military front by two routes. A part of them have gone west by rail to Verria from Salonika and then marched south to Elassona, a distance of 45 miles.

   For some weeks the Turks have had a very considerable army posted all along the frontier from Elassona to Janina, with other forces on the gulf of Arta. The Greeks have also spread a part of the troops they concentrated at Larissa along the frontier from Nezeros, south of Mount Olympus to the western border of Thessaly. At Grevena in Macedonia the Turks have had an entire division, including infantry, cavalry and artillery, under the command of Hakki Pasha. The Greek insurgents pushed northward nearly to Grevena before they were beaten back.

   Most of Thessaly is a vast plain with ranges of hills. In no other part of Greece could troops be so easily maneuvered over so large a territory. Macedonia and Albania, on the Turkish side of the border, on the contrary, are exceedingly mountainous. As compared with Thessaly, the Turks have in their frontier territory a far greater number of strategic points that are not difficult to defend.

   The main difficulty with all this territory on both sides of the border, from a military point of view, is the entire lack of good roads. Many of the roads affording the only means of transit are mere bridle paths, and all the roads are narrow and in bad condition.

   The powers are plainly in alliance with Turkey in this crisis, but the consciences and sympathy of the people are largely in favor of Greece. This latter ally should not be despised.

Alex Mahan's Music Store.

THE COMING FESTIVAL.

Artists Engaged and a Rare Treat in Store.

   Mr. A. Mahan went to New York last week to engage artists to take part in his twenty-third music festival which will be held in the Cortland opera house commencing Monday evening May 31. As usual there will be four grand concerts, on the afternoon and evening of Thursday and Friday, June 3 and 4. Those with whom he has closed contracts are Mlle. Alice Verlet of the opera comique, Paris, and Miss Louise St. John Westervelt, sopranos; Miss Zora Horlockcr, contralto; Miss Dora Veleska Becker, violineste and Miss Lillian Littiehales, cellist. Arrangements were some time ago completed with Mrs. Martha Dana Shepard as accompanist and with Dr. H. R. Palmer as conductor. The great Festival orchestra will also be present.

   Mr. Mahan spares no expense to procure the very best talent for these festivals and, while it seems impossible that this one should outshine those of former years, there will certainly be no less in the degree of excellence or high class of entertainment furnished.

The Lilliputians.

   The American Lilliputians with a carload of scenery as the Hogan's Alley Kids at 10, 20 and 30 cents should certainly pack the Opera House at their three performances commencing Friday evening, April 23rd, Saturday matinee, and terminating Saturday night. There are twenty of these clever little people, and they have just concluded an eight weeks' engagement at Proctor's Pleasure Palace, New York.

   We have had Juvenile Opera Companies, but a Juvenile Farce Comedy is a new one to us. However, the eight weeks success of the Lilliputians at Proctor's Pleasure Palace is a guarantee of their intrinsic merit. We cannot conceive Hogan's Alley being characterized by any but precocious Juveniles. A boy contralto named Denny McCarthy, when with Ed. Harrigan advertised as the "Boy Wonder," is among the minor members of the organization. This little boy is credited with a phenomenal delivery and a stage presence so graceful he is often mistaken for a girl. He formerly led the choir at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York. H. C. Miner of the Fifth Ave. Theatre, New York, has taken such an interest in the boy that at the termination of his present engagement he will send him to Paris to finish his musical education. Little Annie Lloyd, who plays "Liz," is well known as the leading support of Geo. W. Monroe of Aunt Bridget Jane. Miss Lloyd possesses a high soprano voice of rare quality and expression. The critics have dubbed her the Vital Spark. Her vivacity and chic are known to theatre-goers throughout the country. Manager Monroe will start her next season as Luisa in a musical comedy under that title.

   The News Boy prodigy, Eddie Gray, who was featured in Koster & Bials in his specialty, plays a conspicuous part as one the Kids in Hogan's Alley. Willie Hersey, the Black Monus, late of Evans & Hoev Company will be seen as Hot Stuff, the crazy Nig of the Alley. The Yellow Kid in all his glory will be impersonated by Patsey Murphy, an acrobatic midget. Other specialties by the Hawkins sisters, the Troy sisters, Grace Leonard, Pansy Howard. Mabel Ray and Nan Monroe, the Messrs. Daugherty, Sullivan, Hart, Gray,  Gazago, Frank Watson. Backus, complete the entertainment. At Cortland Opera House Friday and Saturday and Saturday matinee, April 23 and 24. Prices 10, 20 and 30 cents.

HERE AND THERE.

   A camp of gypsies passed through town going west on Wednesday.

   Mr. E. H. Brewer of Cortland has recently purchased a large orange grove at Osceola, Fla.

   The American Lilliputians, as the "Hogan's Alley Kids," to-night. Do not miss the fun. Popular prices.

   "Other People's Money" at the Cortland Opera House next Tuesday evening. A more extended notice will be found on this page.

   T. P. Bristol, the popular young clothier and merchant tailor, has a change of advertisement on the opposite page. If you would dress well, Tom can tell you how.

   Mrs. Hattie A. Bickford has been granted a limited divorce from Frank A. Bickford by Judge Mattice. Defendant is required to pay all costs of the action and give bond for the payment of $5 weekly for the support of plaintiff.

   If there is any one thing more than another, that village President Duane Call is particularly fond of, it is trouting, and he never returns empty handed either. Not wishing to wait until the streams had been depleted of trout, President Call and a friend went forth on Friday last, to catch cold and trout and we regret that we can not give the correct number and weight of the catch. The figures at hand give the number as 9, but, of course, that is not correct, but whether the missing figure belongs before or after the figure nine we do not know. A pleasant drive of fourteen miles served to give them an appetite. 

TOWN OF SCOTT.

   SCOTT, April 19.—Henry Hazard seems to be failing in strength.

   Old Mr. Green, the father of Mrs. B. F. Rogers, is very poorly.

   Mr. Fuller of Cuyler called upon C. N. Knapp and wife recently.

   Eliza Larison was taken over the hills to the poor house last week.

   Perrin Anthony and son, George, are to plant 38 acres of potatoes this year.

   George Ferry is to work C. H. Gillett's farm this season. He has moved there.

   Miss Edith Bean, who left school at Cortland on account of ill health, is much improved.

   George H. Butts and wife of McGrawville visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Butts last Saturday.

   Wm. N. Babcock recently clipped a good sized horse, from gambrels to ears, in 18 minutes and the clipping of the entire animal occupied 35 minutes.

   E. W Childs has been having a very sick cow, the best one in the flock, by getting loose and eating too much feed. Dr. Baker of Cortland was called and the case was looked upon for awhile as about hopeless, but she is now improving.

   Another "Golden Wedding" in Scott, was celebrated last week Thursday evening at the home of Nicholas Cummings and wife, who had arrived at their 50th  marriage anniversary. Mr. Cummings was a soldier and 80 years of age and we learn that his wife is of the same age. Both are remarkably active and few middle age women will walk the distance that she will. They are of Irish birth.

   Perhaps it is divulging no secret to say that John B. Cottrell has recently given away the bulk of his property. It is said by those interested that the eight children get $7,000 apiece, and one of them, for some reason, $3,000 more, making an aggregate of $59,000, reserving $20,000 for himself and wife, which makes a total of $79,000. quite a little wad to look after. It is understood that quite a portion of it is in stocks. A pretty good idea to know while living where the money goes.