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 gave him any encouragement or reason to suppose they would uphold him in case the matter was brought to an issue. The Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, having assured him of his friendship, advised him, in very plain language, to conclude peace on the terms dictated by the Powers. He added: "The concert of the Powers is firm and united in its decisions. Therefore I request your Majesty to take my advice into earnest consideration." The Sultan's great friend, Emperor William of Germany, has also intimated to him that it would be wise for him to obey the wishes of the Powers, and not resist the demand for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Thessaly. The Russian sentiment is also strongly against Turkey. The official newspaper of St. Petersburg utters a warning to the Sultan that if he remains obstinate, the Powers will resort to decided measures to enforce obedience to their commands. France has sent him a very decided refusal to interfere in the matter. All this time Turkey has been pushing her war preparations forward, and is ready to take prompt action in case the peace negotiations should fall through; indeed, the Turks have already recommenced hostilities. Two thousand Turks besieged the town of Kalabaka in Thessaly, the Greeks defending the place until they were overpowered. A great number of the inhabitants fled to the mountains for safety, but those who were not fortunate enough to escape were cruelly massacred by the enemy. * * * * * The Powers have agreed upon the conditions for self-government in Crete. A Christian Governor is to be appointed and an annual tribute of $50,000 is to be paid to Turkey.