356 Chapter 3
the status of the Ottoman Empire and the balance of power in Europe, proved ineffec-
tive. After the Turks secured the neutrality of Bulgaria and Serbia, they declared war
on Greece in April 1897. The war effort was poorly designed and ultimately ill-fated
for Greece. Greek forces in the north of Crete were routed within a month. Interven-
tion from the czar of Russia was able to secure a ceasefire on May 20, 1897. Negotia-
tions started in June, and the treaty of Constantinople followed on December 4.
Coding changes: End Date changed from May 19, 1897.
MID#1249
Dispute Number: 1249
Date(s): August 1909
Participants: 640 Turkey/350 Greece
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: After European forces departed Crete, the islanders raised the Greek flag.
To dissuade Greece from annexing the island, Turkey mobilized its troops in Thessaly
and dispatched a fleet to Karpathos.
MID#1250
Started in September 1912. See the narrative in the 355 Bulgaria/640 Turkey dyad
dispute list.
MID#257
Started in July 1914. See the narrative in the 300 Austria-Hungary/345 Yugoslavia
dyad dispute list.
MID#3344
Dispute Number: 3344
Date(s): August 16, 1914 to August 17, 1914
Participants: 350 Greece/640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Ottomans bought two warships—the Goeben and the Breslau—from
Germany in August 1914. Greece then issued a warning against the Ottomans that, if
they joined the war on Germany’s side or used the two ships for aggression against
Greece, then they would face retaliation. Five days later news reached Greece that
Turkish troops had crossed Bulgarian territory and were moving toward Greece.
Greece issued a warning that if the reports were true military and naval action would
be taken. The reports were unfounded, but the ships remained in the service of the
Ottomans.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 13, 1914. End Date changed from
August 18, 1914.