Mr. Morris to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In a council of ministers on Wednesday last, it was determined, in consequence of the tenor of dispatches from the Turkish minister at Athens, to break off diplomatic relations with Greece, to expel the Greek subjects from the Turkish territory, and to exclude Greek vessels from the Turkish waters. An imperial decree to this effect has been signed by the Sultan. The Turkish minister has been recalled from Athens, and the Greek minister at Constantinople has received his passports.
These measures have been adopted because of the alleged aid which the Greek government has of late rendered to the Cretan insurrection, and also because of the departure of new expeditions of volunteers from Greece to Crete, and of the difficulties placed in the way of the emigrated Cretans who desire to return to their homes. The uninterrupted voyages of the supply blockade-runner, the Enosis or Union, from Syra-to Crete, is also another source of aggravation. * * *
The expulsion of the subjects of Greece from Turkey is an expedient of great severity, as they number more or less about 200,000, and in the capital alone 35,000. Here they are engaged in all kinds of avocations, and contribute much to the prosperity of the city.
* * * War seems imminent between Greece and Turkey as a sequel to these measures. If it breaks out, it will, I fear, lead to grave disasters in the east, and may produce complications that may expand into a great continental struggle. Should the Greek populations in Epirus and Thessaly rise in insurrection, the revolutionary spirit may extend to the Turkish islands of the Archipelago, inhabited by Greeks.
A squadron under Hobart Pacha sails to-morrow for Crete, and I have every reason to believe, if necessity requires it, will enter the Greek waters.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.