The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-02-22
POWERS BOMBARD THE INSURGENTS,
First a British Cruiser Opens
Fire and Vessels Of Other
Nations Follow.
An Attack Upon the City Of Canea
Followed by Most Sensational
Scenes - Turkish and Greek
Warships Battle.

CANEA, CRETE, Feb. 21.-The admirals
commanding the foreign fleets here yes
terday visited Colonel Vassos the COM
mander of the Greek army of occupation,
at Camp Aghita. What transpired there
has not been made public, but upon the
return of the admirals they invited the
commander of the Greek warship Nsvati-
chos Miaoulis to visit them. The inyita-
tion was accepted and when the COM
mander met the Admirals he was Informed
that an attack would be M ade upon the
Greek troops and the Greek warships if
Colonel Vassos advanced into the interior.
Subsequently 10 the interview the COM
mander, accompanied by Rear-Admiral
Harris, commanding the British feet, pro-
ceeded to the camp of Colonel Vassos who
was informed as to the decision that had
been arrived at by the commanding Of
fcers of the foreign feet
This morning the insurgents in the
vicinity of Canea began firing on the town.
despite the warnings that had been given.
The firing was continued for some time,
whereupon the admirals of the foreign
fleets ordered their vessels cleared for
action, and soon the guns OF the fleet were
throwing shells into the iusurgent camp.
A British cruiser was the first of the
warships to open fire, vessels of the other
nations following in succession. Forty
shells we're fired.
The forts fired blank cartridges at the
Greek dispatch boat Plen1os. which had
exchanged shots with Turkish frlgate.
Alter shots had been fired by both vessels
the frigate withdrew.
The German warship Kaiserin Augusta
has arrived here and landed marines, who
will share in the foreign occupation of the
town.
LATER-It has been learned thatthe ulti-
matum OF the admirals 10 Colonel Vassos
was against his attacking Canea. 1t ap-
parently did not forbid him from march
ing into the interior of the island, where
Colonel Vassos purposes to occupy several
strategic points.
One report states that the ultimatum
declared that If the Greek troops or the
insurgents approached any nearer to
Canea tnan they were the fleets would
shell them. but if they were quiet they
would be permitted to land food.
Colonel Vassos replied that he did not
intend to attack Canea or the flags of the
powers. He would remain on the defen-
sive until be was attacked. Notwilhstand-
ing this assurance fighting took place to-
day on the hills 10 the east of the town.
The com batants, who were Christians and
Mussulmans only, were in plain view
from the ships in the harbor. The reply
of the MussuImans to the fire of the Chris
tians was very feeble, and it could easily
be seen that they would be compelled to
abandon their positions if the Christians
pressed them. Their gun practice was so
very poor that it excited ridicule on board
the ships.
The main position of the Christians was
in hamlet on the side of the hills where
they had hoisted the flag OF Greece This
position was about 1000 yards from The
warships.
At half-past O'Clock the flagship dis
played signals for the Dryad, Harrier and
Revenge and one vessel of the Italian,
German and Russian squadrons to open
fire on the Cretan position.
The order was quickly complied with.
The British vessels fired forty shells and
the other vessels about thirty. The aim
of the guDners was very good, and it was
soon seen that the position of the insur-
gents was becoming untenable. In about
ten minutes the Greek flag was hauled
down and as soon as it disappeared the
order Cease firing" was given and the
silent. Thereupon the flag was again
hoisted on its staff. The rocks in the vi
cinity were crowded with Cretans.
The Mussulmans, encouraged and en-
boldened by the assistance which had been
given them by the fleets of Christian Eu-
rope, now began lively fusillade on the
Christians who were engaged in remov-
ing their wounded. The Christians were
evidently disprted by the action of the
fleets and made no attempt 10 return the
fire.
The action Of the foreign warships has
caused the deepest indignation here. and
the supporters of the Sultan are bitterly
denounced on all sides. 1t is decided that
the powers in unfolding Mosiem rule by
force of arms have made a melancholy
and degrading spectacle that Greece will
never forget.
LONDON, Eng, Feb. 2L-A dispatch
from Athens to the Central News saws
that the fleets of the powers to-day bonn
barded the insurGent positions in the vi
cinity OF Canea. No details of the bonn
bardment are given.
The dispatch adds that the Greek dis
patch boat Pienios has exchanged shots
with Turkish frigate, but in this case
also details are lacking aud both reports
are accepted under reserve.
1t is reported that 700 Greeks and num-
Der of pieces of artillery have been landed
al Kisamo Bay.
A British torpedo boat stopped the
Greek steamer Laurium, which was land
ing provisions ana munitions of war at
Kolymbar Bay, and escorted her to Canea.
The excitement in Athens continues
without abatement, and The popular voice
is loud for war if the annexation OF Crete
TO Greece can be obtained in no other way.