The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-15
Only Reply to the Greek Note Will he
Immediate Orders for Foreign Ad-
miraI to Act Wednesday.
RUSSIA AND FRANCE AGREE
FEARS At ATHENS THAT GREAT
BRITAIN WILL LAND TROOPS.
Autonomy for Crete and NOnannexa-
ton of the Islp Ild Pra ctically
Decided On.

ROME, March 1i-It is officially an
nounced here this afternoon that the result
of the pourparlers of the powers yester-
day Saturday. is a definite agreement
not to reply to the Greek note, but TO issue
orders TO the foreign admirals to establish
an immediate blockade of Cretan ports.
which will probably be in full operation to-
morrow.
This agreement is somewhat in the ma
ture of a concession TO Russia and France.
Russia. during the middle of last week.
proposed, with France seconding the pro-
posal. another joint note to Greece. insist
ing on the withdrawal of the troops, in
stead of an immediate resort by the powers
to force. Russa's action was inspired. IL
is officially stated. by certain sympathy
for Greece, bat so many objections We're
raised by each power in turn to this sug-
geston that the other course has finally
been agreed on.
1t is thought that the simplest way to
carry out the threat made in the identical
note will be the blockading of the Cretan
ports and the landing of forces sufficient
to insure the maintainence of order. leav-
ing future action TO the fate of Crete
to later negotiations. This was the view
Of Russia at the outset.
A dispatch from st. Petersburg says:
The official St. Petersburg journal says this
morning: I'VE recently stated the reasons
which determined the attitude of the inn
perial government to the Cretan ques-
ton. Unfortunately, they do not seem ad-
equately recognized at Athens. Humanitar-
ian motives actuate the powers more than
any other considerations, as has been
shown by the action of the powers towards
the Hellenic government. The Greek note
in reply TO the powers endeavors insists
that annexation TO Greece will alone end
state OF anarchy in Crete. While con-
senting TO recall her ships, Greece persists
that the cooperation of her troops is nee
essary TO the pacifcation of the island.
after which a plebiscite should decide the
fate of Crete.
Such an attitude is unsatisfactory. The
powers had not in the present case to con-
suit the opinions of the Greek government.
They simply expressed to Athens in sue
cinct terms the decision imposed by cir
cumstances, whereinto it is for Greece to
conform. In refusing TO heed this decision.
Greece. gives clear proof that under pre-
text or assuring condition of peace and
order in Crete. she is really pursuing a
much less disinterested object, namely, an
nexation by surprise.
The powers are too unanimously re.
solved to maintain peace in the East To
sanction such designs. They find them
selves compelled, though much against
their will, TO have recourse to Vigorous
measures. which they shrink from adopt
ing in regard to Greece. AT the same tim,
they Will have in the resources at their
disposal sure means of pacifying Crete
without the cooperation of the Greek
troops.
1t is hoped that Greece. seeing that the
powers are firmly resolved not TO shrink
from any measure of coercion necessary
will give way, thus exercising the danger
with which her present attitude threatens