Everything seemed in train for a speedy peace.  In addition to being willing to give up Thessaly, the Sultan had also intimated that he would reduce the sum of money asked for as war indemnity.  When first the negotiations were commenced, Turkey demanded $50,000,000.  It was said that she would now accept $20,000,000.

The Ambassadors were prepared to have the Porte (the Turkish Government) ask that all the mountain passes between Greece and Turkey should be given to Turkey, and that the army should continue to occupy Thessaly until the war indemnity was paid.  They thought that the final understanding would be reached at the very next meeting.

They were doomed to disappointment.  The following day, when the conference assembled, Tewfik Pasha kept the Ambassadors waiting a long time for him, and, when he at last appeared, laid a new frontier plan before the diplomats.

To their surprise, they found that the frontier demanded was mapped out in direct opposition to their wishes.

They one and all declined to discuss it, and informed Tewfik that they would adjourn until he brought a written acceptance of the frontier as they had designated it, and the meeting broke up with unpleasant feeling on both sides.

The military experts who had arranged the frontier line had appointed the day after this stormy interview to meet the Turkish frontier commission.

They waited and waited, but the Turks did not put in an appearance.

They then went over and reported the fact to the Ambassadors, who had met together in the council room—­in the hope that Tewfik would come with the written acceptance.

The hours went by and brought no Tewfik.

The Ambassadors went to the Austrian embassy to talk the matter over and decide what course they should pursue.  They had hardly reached the place before the Pasha appeared.  He said that the Sultan, his master, had detained him and the military commission, discussing the situation, and added that the Sultan had decided to appoint two of the military delegates to discuss the peace negotiations in his (Tewfik’s) place.

Believing this to be but an excuse for further delay, the Ambassadors one and all refused to have any dealings with any one but Tewfik Pasha.

The Turkish Minister then withdrew, to acquaint His Majesty with the decision of the Ambassadors—­and so the matter stands for the present.

No one knows what the Sultan’s next move will be.

England does not believe that he really intends to give up Thessaly, but the other Powers think that he will do so as soon as he is absolutely sure that a refusal will mean war.

* * * * *

The most interesting news in regard to Cuba this week is the renewal of the report that Spain and Japan have entered into an alliance against the United States.

A correspondent at Paris, France, telegraphs that the understanding between the two countries is to the effect that should the United States take any active measures to secure the freedom of Cuba, or persist in the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, Spain and Japan shall declare war on her at the same moment.  The plan is that Spain shall send vessels to attack our Atlantic seaboard, and Japan shall simultaneously make war on the Pacific coast.