The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-12
Britain Aroused to the Gravity of the
Situation by the Hasty Action of
the King of Greece.
FIGHTING MAY BEGIN At ONCE
H THE TURKISH TORPEDO BOATS
AND THE GREEK FLOTILLA MEET.
War Ships of Other Powers at Canca
Outclassed by Those of Britain
The Battle at Bida.

LONDON. Feb. 12--The evident determi-
nation of Greece to annex the Island of
Crete has brought the troublesome eastern
question TO crisis and prompt steps must
be taken by the powers if it is their desire
TO keep the dogs of war; in leash. Dis
cussing this phase of the matter the Pail
Mall Gazette last evening said: There is
reason TO believe that the government of
Great Britain regards the dispatch of the
Greek flotilla TO Crete as a very serious
matter and as likely to involve the gravest
consequences. No intimation of the
intentions of Greece was conveyed
TO any of the powers and the
preparations to carry them into ef-
feet were carefully kept secret. 1t may
be confidently expected that the Marquis
of Salisbury will adopt very firm attitude
and that immediate and vigorous steps will
be taken TO neutralize the effect of Greece's
action
Advices from Athens say that fresh
flotilla of four torpedo boats is held in read
iness to sail for Crete and reinforcements
of troops are being hurriedly dispatched to
the frontiers. The departure of Prince
George with the first torpedo fiotilla has
aroused the greatest enthusiasm in the
demonstrations are taking place in all parts
of Greece. The Chamber has voted half
million drachmas TO aid the Cretan refu-
gees. 1t develops that it was the King who
urged the government to dispatch the flo
tilla. and so soon as he had obtained the
consent of Premier Delyannis. he personal
ly issued the orders in order 10 give addi-
tional effect to the proposals. When Prince
phar cd lrIfp Of
fired by the crowd ashore parting salu-
tation and the people assembled at mid
night at the palace and gave their majesties
an ovation The students at the same time
paraded the streets singing patriotic songs
and cheering for the King and for the union
of Crete with Greece.
TURKISH TROOPS EN- ROUTE.
A dispatch TO the Times from Athens
says that the central Cretan committee is
preparing to support the Cretans with
arms. ammunition and supplies on a great
scale The first instalment. il is added,
sailed on Wednesday with COO armed Gre
tans. The same dispatch states that the de-
parture of the Greek torpedo 1otilla for the
Island of Crete was due TO the announce
ment that Turkish torpedo boats had left
the Dardanelles and that Turkish troops
had embarked at Salonika for Crete. The
dispatch concludes with the remark: 1T
is possible that a direct collision will occur
between the Greek and Turkish forces.
The war ships now at Canea, the seat or
trouble are: The British first-class battle
ship Heraleur, 10.500 tons four 29-ton guns,
ten 6-inch quick tring guns ana y smaller
guns with a crew of coo men. The British
frst-class battle ship Revenge, 14.l5O tons,
four 67-ton guns, ten 6-inch quick hiring
guns and 3S smaller guns: $50 men. The
British third-class cruiser Fortin. 1,SIS tons,
four 5-inch guns and III smaller guns; Ia
men.
3.43O tons. four 6.2-inch quick firing guns,
four 39-inch guns and p smaller guns; 246
men. The French third-class cruiser
Wattignies ], ,130 tons, five 6-inch quick mr.
ing guns and smaller guns; $50 men. The
French third class cruiser Fortin. l.SiS tons,
four 56-inch quick firing guns and IL small
er guns: 19O men.
The Russian turret ship Emperor Nicho-
las /. first class, S.940 tons. two l2-inch 62-
Ton guns four 9-inch 19-ton guns, eight
6-inch guns and "a smaller guns; 6O4 men.
The Russian armored gunboat Groze-
iastchy. 1i02 tons, one 9-inch gun one
6-inch gun and eight smaller guns; lSO men.
1t will thus be seen that the BRUSH nave
9e 23o tons of war ships in Cretan waters
with 1.4S3 men. The French nave BOSS Tons das
and GIG men and the Russians nave s,S52
TONS with 72O men, The French anG Rus
slams combined have 1880 tons of hghting
vessels there and 1886 men TO handle theIn:
leaving Great Britain the adVantage OF
o 71O tons and 141 men. In addition 70 tne
war shiDs of the powers mentioned, the
Austrian armored cruiser kalserln Maria
Theresa of 5,270 tons, with TWO 9.f-incn
guns eight 5.9-inch quick hring guns ana
fwenty-two smaller guns, with 4oO men, is
at anchor at Canea.
VILLAGES IN FLAMES.
A dispatch to the Times from Canea says
that the latest telegram from Sitia reports
thirteen villages now in flames. Christians
are killing the Mohammedan inhabitants
Those who have succeeded in escaping from
Tho scane of the massacres are flocking to
Sitia. which is still in the possession oil the
Turks. 1t is feared that this news VIII pro-
duce n dangerous reaction at Herakiion IL
is probable that the persistence OF the Mo-
hammedans in preventing the departure OF
Christians and foreigners, will make neces-
sarv active measures on the part OF the
commanders of the foreign fleets An ltai-
ian officer of the new gendarmes has gone
Tn Kisami to investigate the reports OF the
atrocities there. The Italian battle ship
Francesca Morosini has arrived at Canea.
Canea. -. ,,,.,a,,.;-
ncnle saws that a special Cabinet council
is now sitting at the lildlz palace IoT tile
purpose of discussing the SITUATION IN 1rete.
The correspondent of the Times at Vienna
says that is is stated that Austria VIII re-
monstrate with Greece against the dlspatch
of the torpedo fotila TO Cane't unuer 81, Tn tire
command of Prince George. The papers
This morning are full of long telegrams
sror, E,uronean capitals and editorials deal
ING with The gravity of the situation in
crete. and expressing fears OF d war De-
tween Turkey and Greece.
dispatch to the Chronicle from home
saws that the report that the Russian Ileet
ON the Black sea is approaching the Bos-
nhorus has been confirmed. -
a Daily News dispatch from Heraklon
saws that on the request OF the foreign
commanders the Turkish onclals there
nrnmised TO allow a free exit to the Chris
;in ~ bnt n Mussulman mob closed the
town gates. AS the town - encircled by
wills the Christians are cut OIL without
hone unless the town should be bombarded.
in which case the situation would be
eoualIv critical for Christians as well as
Turks. ,,..,. ero, VIM,
a djspatch to the Chronicle from vienna
saws that the powers, after conferrlng with
eoch other all day. decided - reinforce the
souadrons in the Greek waters ana ap-
Darently agreed TO prevent the union OF
Trate and Greece or anything likely TO lead
to "a runture between Greece and Turkey.
The Daily News correspondent at Rome
also saws. Il learn that, although the
movers have admonished Greece against
nrecipitating a war. they nave given her
10 understand that III she succeeds IN occu-
!. pying Crete they will not OBJECT TO the ac-
complished fact.
Advices from Canea show that SIX Chrls-
,ians have been killed or wounded in the
fighting around the Convent OF Chrisupy-
ghi near Canea, and that ten Mussulmans
have been killed.
A later dispatch to the Times from
Canea SAYS that the entire Mohammedan