The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-31
CRETANS IN MORTAL COMBAT.
TURKS COMPELLED TO RETREAT
FROM sPINALONGA.

Heavy Fighting Throug'ho out the En-
gagement-The Turks Make Des-
perate Defense of Their Position,
But Unable TO Withstand the On
sIaught of the Christians--Cretnns
Attack Izzedin and Arc Bonn
barded by the Warships-Russia
Won't Help blockade Greece.
London, March SO.-In the House Of Com
mons to-day George N. Curzon. under for
eign secretary, announced that on March
25 NJ. Nelldon, the Russian ambassador
at Constantinople had communicated to
his diplomatic colleagues at the Turkish
capital copies of a telegram which he had
received from the admiral commanding
the Russian warships in Cretan waters
urging the appointment of a European
governor for the island of Crete with full
powers to act and urging the withdrawal
of the Turkish TROOPS from the island, also
stating that Che admirals of the foreign
squadrons were of the opinion that such
action was necessary. Mr.. Curzon said
that the government of Great Britain sup
ported the suggestions made by the Rus
sian admiral and that the other powers
had the matter under consideration.
a dispatch to the Central News from
Athens states that a strong force of in
surgents to-day attacked the Turkish
troops at Spinalonga, Crete. The troops
made a desperate defense of their posi-
tions but could not withstand the deter
mined onslaught of the Christians and
were finally compelled to retreat. There
was heavy lighting throughout the en-
gagement. The dispatch adds that a ves-
sci lying in the harbor of Spinalonga
laden with ammunition and other stores
was captured by the insurgents, who re-
moved the captured supplies to places out
of reach of the Turks
The Canea correspondent of the Stan
dard telegraphs that the blockade of Crete
by the powers is not enforced as severely
as it would be in the case of actual war
Provisions are landed daily. Hitherto
only half dozen small craft, which had
already landed their cargoes, have been
captured.
The dispatch adds that there was heavy
firing at Suda tonight, and it is supposed
that the insurgents attempted to surprise
the fort. The attack was probably re-
PEELED with the assistance of the shells
and the use of the searchlights of the war
ships in the harbor.
Trieste March SO.-The Austrian govern
ment has forbidden the expectation of
100000 cartridges, which were ordered
from an Austrian firm by the government
of Greece.
Athens, March S0.-It is reported here
this evening that Russia has refused to
take part in a blockade of the ports of
Greece, upon the ground that such action
would now be too late to be effective in
maintaining peace.
Crown Prince Constatine to-day formal
ly assumed the command OF the Greek
troops in Thessaly. He issued an order
to the army in which he expressed his
conviction that at this critical hour, when
the fatherland was being weighed I'm the
balance, all would do their duty, be faith
full to their oath, exhibit patience and
irmness and obey the law and their COM
manders.
Canea, March 3O.--The insurgents to-day
attacked the town of Izzedn, which
caused the warships to lombard them
Later, the place was occupied by a mixed
detachment of international troops.