in his power to delay matters,
in the hope that something might happen which would relieve the
situation.

The Powers are, however, determined to settle the affair, so, finding
they will submit to no more trifling, the Sultan has been forced to make
a move.

He bade his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tewfik Pasha, inform the
diplomats that it was useless for them to hold any further meetings, as
he found it impossible to deprive his people of the fruits of their
victory, and so could never agree to relinquish Thessaly.

Tewfik Pasha added that the Porte insisted that the line of the Turkish
frontier should be established along the river Salammria, which would
give Turkey the possession of Thessaly as far south as Larissa.

Having caused this announcement to be made, the Sultan had a circular
prepared and sent to his ambassadors abroad, explaining the situation,
and why he could not accept the frontier line as demanded by the Powers.

It appears that he is convinced that the Powers will not fight him, and
so is determined to defy them and take his own course.

He is said to have remarked that if the Powers could not force Colonel
Vassos and his handful of soldiers to obey them in Crete, it is not
likely that they will be able to coerce the victorious army of Turkey.

The Powers are now entirely of one mind. Turkey must obey their wishes,
and obey them quickly.

On hearing of the Sultan's action, Russia immediately protested, and the
other Powers joined in a collective note to the Turkish Government,
demanding that their terms of peace be complied with.

The note was very severe in its tone, and insisted that the frontier
line between Greece and Turkey should be fixed according to the wishes
of the Powers, and also that the Powers were determined that peace
should be concluded without further delay.

It was at first intended that the note should fix a date by which the
Sultan was bound to send his reply, and should state what the Powers
would do in case their request was refused.

But the note that was sent contained neither of these clauses, and so
the Sultan is not yet convinced that the Powers really mean to fight him
if he remains obstinate.

The Sultan, who seems to be a very wily diplomat, has in the mean while
been trying to find out the individual feelings of the Powers.

He sent notes to the various rulers, asking their friendly assistance in
the settlement of the frontier question.

None of them g