Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-24
AUTONOMY FOR CRETE
GREECE CONSENTS TO EvAcUATE
WITH THIS UNDERSTANDING.
THE HELLENES STIRRED UP.
They Are Deeply Inccnsed Against
the Powcrs-Figbting Near Canen-
Protest of Insurgents Against sun
days Bombardment.

PARIS. November 23.-The Gaulois as
serts that the Powers have called upon
Greece 10 evacuate Crete within twenty
four hours, and that Greece has consented
to do so. provided autonomy of the island
Is guaranteed.
A WEEKS ARhifSTICE.
CANEA, February 23-The foreign con-
suls have persuaded the Moslem ana
Christian combatants in the Selinos DIS
trict to agree TO a weeks armistice.
TURKEY DOUBTS GREECE.
CONSTANTINOPLE,F February %.-lt IS
announced here that the Cretan difilcuitles
have been settled upon the basis OF au-
tonomy for the island, the Porte nomi-
mating a Governor Of Crete. under the as
sent and approval of the Powers. In view
OF the possibility that Greece viii oppose
such an arrangement, large quantities OF
munitions Of war are being hurried to the
Greek frontier, and the Turkish troops
there are being rapidly reinforced.
sALISBURYs PLAN ADOPTED.
VIENNA, February 23.-The Fremden-
blatt says that the. Powers are on the
verge of an agreement as to the method
to be pursued to restrain Greece from
further hostile action in Crete, and TO
settle the future administration of the
affairs of the island.
Lord Salisbury's proposals favoring the
granting of autonomy TO Crete under the
administration of Prince Of Greece, the
paper says, have virtually been adopted
by the Powers.
RIGOROUS BLOCKADE.
ATHENS, February pa dispatch to
the Asty from Canea says that the for
eign warships are now Vigorously
blockading the coast OF Crete. The
British torpedo-boats are especially ac-
tive, rapidly steamlng along the coast
and keeping a sharp lookout to prevent
the landing OF troops. provisions, or
munitions of war. Many vessels have
been stopped by the blockading fleets
and not allowed to proceed until they
had satisfactorily proved that they were
engaged in legitimate business. SO strict
is the blockade that the carrying of let
tiers to the Piraeus from the force OF
Colonel Vassos. the commander of the
Greek army of occupation, is prohibited.
EXCITEMENT IN CANEA.
CANEA, February 3.-Great excite
ment was caused here last night by
smart rifie-fring to the westward OF the
town. IL was soon ledIUtu lidl thc
firing was taking place between the
Turkish outposts and Christian insur-
gents. and the report spread that the
outposts had been driven back, and the
insurgents were approaching the town.
Crowds Of residents went TO the ram
parts of the city, and anxiously watched
the outcome Of the fighting. The firing
ceased in a short time, without either
side having gained any material adyan-
tage; or. so far as known, causing any
casualties.
A Turkish warship In Suda bay and
the soldiers I'm the arsenal there to-day
fired repeatedly at the village, which
was shelled Sunday by the foreign fleets.
There was absolutely no reason for this
attack, except that the Turks were de-
sirous of provoking an occasion for fur
Their Intervention on the part of the Eu-
ropean Powers. A white flag was flying
over the position occupied by the In
surgents, but this did not prevent the
firing The insurgents, understanding
probably, the motives Of the Turks, did
not reply TO the fire.
The leaders of the insurgents who
were sheled Sunday have made, through
the Greek commodore. a formal protest
against the action of the foreign lad
mirals. They declare in their protest
that. acting in obedience to the Powers,
they refrained from actual hostilities
against the Moslems as long as IT was
possible, but that the Turks, having
shelled their position for two days. they
were finally compelled to reply to the
fire.