The record-union., 1897-02-14
In Spite of the Vigilance of Warships
Of the Powers.
Cretan Insurgents, Now in Possession
of Large Part of the Island, Form
Provisional Government, and
Are Threatening Important Towns
Turkey Awaiting Action of the
Great Powers.

CANEA, Feb. 13.-GCopyrighted, 1897,
by the Associated Press. lit is report
ed here this morning that the Greek
torpedo fiotilla commanded by Prince
| George of Greece, which arrived yes
terday succeeded, in spite of the vigi-
lance of the foreign Warships, in land
ing last night a quantity of arms and
500 cases of provisions, all intended for
the Cretain insurgents, who are gath
cred in large numbers on the hill which
overloOkS the town.
1t is also stated that the Greek war;
ships have the intention of landing a
Greek company of artillery, consisting
of eighty Greek artillerymen and some
guns.
The Cretan insurgents, after pro-
claiming their independence of Turkey,
and the union of Crete with Greece, on
Thursday formed a provisional Govern
| ment. They are now in possession of
a large part of the island, and are
threatening the important towns. A
landing of bluejackets and marines
from the foreign fleet is contemplated.
1t is reported that a Turkish ship,
which attempted to leave Heraklion to-
day was forced to return by a Greek
cruiser
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
/ ATHENS, Feb. 13.-There is a change
for the better here to-day. The people
are becoming calmer and officials are
betraying less anxiety as to the even
tual outcome of the efforts of Greece in
behalf of the Cretan insurgents.
1t is now known that strong pressure
Ioe 70 Iro
George and the Sultan of Turkey to
prevent an outbreak of hostilities be-
| tween Greece and Turkey The latter
country is understood to have agreed
not to send troops to Crete. The pow
ers in return are believed to be re-
straining Greece from actively interfer-
ing in Crete.
At the same time, there is evident
danger in the direction of Thessaly and
Macedonia. for the Greek troops are be-
ing hurriedly dispatched to the from
tiers, and reports from Salonica say the
Turks are quietly mastering an army
corps there in order to be prepared for
emergencies
The situation in Cete has somewhat
improved. Desultory fighting is still re-
ported 1t is stated here that the in
surgents are practically in possession of
the whole island excepting it's largest
towns.
If this is the case, the union of Crete
with Greece having been formally pro-
claimed, the independence of the Gre
tans from Turkish rule is almost ac-
complished, and it is difficult to see
how the pre-existing order of things
can be restored without joint action up
on the part Of the powers and military
occupation of Crete by foreign fleets
In official circles here this outcome is
not believed to be possible, and there is
disposition now to quietly allow
events TO take their natural course, the
idea being that Crete is practically free
and likely to remain so unless subdued
by the powers.
Therefore, the question to be discuss
ed, it is said, is whether the powers will
permit the Cretan insurgents to enjoy
their independence and eventually ally
themselves With Greece
TURKEY WATCHING THE POWERS
CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 13.-There
is a disposition in official circles here
to hold the powers responsible for any
thing that may happen in Crete The
Sultan has been prevailed upon by EN-
bassadors to refrain from sending rein
forcements to Crete, and has also been
assured that the powers have decided
not to permit the landing of Greek
troops in Crete.
The Council Minister'S is is semi Off
cially announced, have decided that
Turkey will remain pacific pending the
efforts of the powers TO prevent direct
Greek intervention in Crete, but it is
further stated if the powers are unsuc
cessful the Turkish Government will be
compelled TO begin military operations
on the Thessaly frontier, in other
words, Turkey will declare war against
Greece and promptly invade that coun~
try.
The decision of the Porte has been
officially communicated to the differ
ent embassies. There is no doubt that
the willingness of the Sultan to appar-
emily bow to the will Of the powers in
the present crisis .was largely due TO
the impoverished state of the Turkish
treasury. The situation is grave, and
as usual the Sultan is calmly reckon
ing on coming out ahead by trusting to
the jealousies of the powers and the
advent of the unexpected.
crTIT ATTON rpTTTNAT