Ir has been already, suggested when disgust was expressed at the big demands which Turkey had made as the terms on which she would conclude peace, that like all Orientals the Sultan was asking a great deal more than he had any idea of getting and the St. Petersburg. correspondent of the Times writes on the 2ist of May It has caused some little astonishment in diplomatic circles here that so much surprise and indignation have been manifested in other European capitals at the Turkish conditions of peace. Russian newspapers, in expressing the same feelings, have only been echoing the tone of their foreign contemporaries and nothing more. In the only Circle here whose opinions can have any weight in such matters, it was quite exted as the most natural thing in the world, that Turkey would claim far more than she ever expected to get, Neither in Turkey nor in Russia is it the custom to name a [fixed and. irreducible price at the outset ofa bargain, and both countries thoroughly understand eaclr other in this respect. Therefore the inordinate character of the! Turkish preliminary demands caused no alarm whatever in St. Petersburg. On the contra atest confidence is felt here negotiating peace with Greece through the moderation of Turkey, in mediation of the Powers. Up to the Scosent the actual conditions of peace have not been seriously discussed, but it may at once be taken for granted that Turkey's wish to annul the Capitulations as regards Greek subjects is quite out of the question. On the other hand, the military and strategic rectification' of the frontier in favour of will in the interests of the' other Tarkey will be supported by Russia, and it Powers to adopt the same course in view of preventing future incursions of Greek bands, the consequences of which, after what has now happened, would be far more dangerous over any Greek population to Turkey, than formerly. This would not involve givin; understand there are no Greek towns or villages in the region proposed to be rectified. As to the pecuniary indemnity, there is no doubt that Turkey will reduce the amount originally claimed.
Tu a leading article on the subject the Times in its issue of the 24th of May refers to speech by M. Hanotaux, the French Foreign Secretary, and says MIN, Hanotaux warns us against indulgence in any undue optimism as to the speedy and smooth solution of the formidable problems now presented to diplomacy, beyond whic as he once again reminds us, lies the still more arduous task of introducing in Turkey the plan of general reforms intended "to prevent a recurrence of the deplorable events of 1895." The negotiations are not likely to be rapid, and there is but too much reason to fear that their course may be troubled by revival of passions or headstrong; thusiasm," M, Hanotaux may be right in the somewhat sombre view he takes of the situation. But grow are not wanting for a more favourable forecast. In principle, ab least, all the Powers are agreed on more pressing points in the negotiation with Tarkey, and so long as that is the case the Porte may be ex to prove amenable to remonstrance. They know the Turk well at St. Petersburg, and our correspondent in that city tells us that the greatest confidence is felt there in his ultimate moderation—a confidence which M. Hanotaux evidently shares. It is impossible to believe that Greece will prove ess reasonable than her enemy. There is a great deal of foolish talk apparently in Athens about the impossibility of acceding to. this or that condition of peace. But Gteece has had a hard lesson in the supreme folly of following up foolish talk by foolish action, Of late there have been many signs to show that it has not been thrown away upon her, She has recently displayed a laudable readiness to comply the i junctions and the wishes of the Powers.
doubtless she will persevere in this newly-found prudence in her own best interests.
Early in the negotiations some difficulty was caus: d by the pro-Turkish attitude of Germany, but this had been modified by a hint from Russia, and the Times corres-oped at Athens wrote on the 27th of May Dispatches received by the Government to> day from its representatives abroad lead to the conclusion that the peace negotiations have taken a turn more favourable for Greece. The proposal that the Turkish occupation of Thessaly should be protracted until after the ment of the war indemnity has, it appears, mined attitude assumed by England on this mn definitely abandoned owing to the deter: question. The Powers are believed to have restricted the terms of peace to the payment of a war indemnity and a strategic rectification of the frontier The proposed abolition of the Capitalations is rejected, though it conceivable that certain modifications may be admitted with the view of remedying existing abuses, and the suggested extradition treaty is also apparently set aside. With regard to the war indemnity, the Powers are stated to have fixed £T6,000,000 as the highest limit, basing their calculations on the actual war exnditure incurred by Turkey. It is hoped ere, however, that this sum may be considerably reduced. The alterations to he made in the frontier line will not involve the subjection of any inhabited districts to Turkish rale.
On the same date the Berlin correspondent of the Times wrote The Frankfurter Zeitung publishes a high, jloured account from Constantinople of present demeanour of the Sultan, Its
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.