mean a war between Greece and Turkey; indeed, it seems
impossible that war can be prevented, for Turkey is not going to sit
quietly down and allow her possessions to be taken from her.

There is a report that a Greek ship entered Canea, the port of Crete, and
did not salute the Turkish flag. This looks very like war.

It is the custom for every vessel on entering a foreign port to salute the
flag of that port, and a failure to do so is considered a very grave
insult.

The latest news seems very serious indeed, almost as if this Cretan matter
were going to bring about the European war that has been so long feared.

Russia has suddenly become very indignant with England, declaring that she
has stirred up this Cretan trouble, so that, in the confusion that will
follow, she may be able to secure some important ports in the
Mediterranean Sea.

The Russians have ranged themselves on the side of Turkey, and insist that
the only way for peace to be restored in Crete is for Russian and French
war-ships to occupy the ports, and force the people back into quiet.

England will not submit to anything of this sort, and if Russia and France
take such action, war is bound to follow.

It must not be supposed that a war with Turkey is going to be an easy
thing.

The Turkish soldiers are a fine, well-drilled body of men; indeed, the
English Minister to Greece stated that the Turkish soldiers were the
finest he had ever seen.

The Janizaries, the most famous regiment of soldiers in the world, are the
body-guard of the Sultan of Turkey.

Not only are they well-drilled and powerful men, but they fight absolutely
without fear. A Turkish soldier will never run away--he fights till he
conquers or dies. This is due to his religion, which teaches him that what
is to be will be, and that if it is his fate to be killed he will be
killed, whether he runs away or stays in the battle.

So he stays--and does all the harm he can before his fate, whatever it may
be, overtakes him.

It is also his belief that if he is killed in battle his sins are forgiven
him, and he will go straight to Paradise; so he has no fear of the fight,
and makes a very stubborn and dangerous foe.

In the mean while, the Sultan of Turkey has a little business of his own
on hand.

He is very much annoyed at the length of the conference of the Powers
about the reforms he is to be asked to make.

All the dead walls of Constantinople, where the Ambassadors are meet