Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04
FIGHTING IN CRETE.
A BODY OF CHRISTIANS ATTACKED
BY BAsHI-BAZOUKs.
FOREIGN ADMlRALS BLAMABlE.
Cret.ns Had n Right to Expect Safe
Conduct, which Was Not PROVIDED
Tr-r. R..ten Back-They Are Not
bonn ba rded.

hills about the town OF Ahrolieti' oi' IN
peninsula OF that name, recently asked
the foreign admirals for permission 10
leave their positions. as they desired 10
leave the peninsula. The AUTHORIZATION
was granted. and to-day the insurgents
with their families. descended from the
hills. driving their cattle before them ana
not suspecting amy danger. They hau
scarcely reached the lower grounds wheh
1000 Bashi-B azouks suddenly fired upon
them at a range of only 22o yards the
BashI- Bazouks had emerged from Canea
last evening. and made their way TO the
neighborhood OF the insurgents position
having apparently received Information
that the Christians were about TO evac-
uate the peninsula.
The Turkish force consisted mainly OF
refugees. who had been brought TO Canea
from sellno by Sir Alfred Biliotti. the
British Consul here. After their arrival
in Canea they had been armed by the
government, in defiance OF the promises
that had been made TO the admirals.
Their arms had been taken from them
when they were compelled to evacuate
Selma, but they experienced not the
slightest difficulty in procuring other wea-
pons by direction Of the Governor.
TURKS DRIVEN BACK.
The insurgents were armed and they
soon recovered from the surprise oc-
casioned by the sudden attack OF the
Bashl-Bazouks. Then they returned the
fire. whereupon the latter returned 10
Canea AS they approached the town
they quietly deposited their arms ana
ammunition In places where they would
not been seen by the foreigners here.
Part of the weapons were placed IN
houses in the outskirts, while the remain
der were deposited in the Midiis barracks.
The international forces ashore did not
take any measures TO prevent the col
lision and the warships In Suda bay did
not fire a shot to check the Bashi-Ba-
zouks The Mussulmans lost heavily IN
the engagement. Fifty dead and wound
ed were brought 70 Canea. Some of the
Moslems presumably not refugees, at
tempted TO bring their arms into the
town, but they were stopped at the gates
or fortified lines by Italian sailors, ana
disarmed by the officers OF the gendar-
merle. The Mussulmans are very much
incensed by this action, and are as
sembling in great numbers in Spazzai
II Is stated this evening that British
sailors were landed on the peninsula TO
restrain the Bashi-BaZouks, but only
when ii was too late to do anything.
FOREIGN ADMIRAIS BLAMEABLE.
LONDON, April 3.-Several of the cor
respondents Of London newspapers, tele-
graphing from Canea, represent that the
foreign admirals were seriously blame
able for the hghting that occurred to-
day between insurgents and Turkish ir-
regular forces on the peninsula or
Akrotieri. They state that Admiral
Canevaro. the Italian naval officer who
is in command of the combined meets
of the Powers, had given his assent 10
the request of the insurgents that they
be allowed to leave the peninsula ana
pass through Canea 10 the interior OF
he island. The latter evidently trusted
that Admiral Canavero would give them
safe conduct, but it seems that no mea-
sures were taken to protect them. When
the admrals learned that the BaShi-
BaZOuks were barring the way OF the
Christians, they ordered that detach-
ments OF sailors and marines % sent
to dsarm them, and compel them to re-
turn to Canea, but 1t was then too late
for the detachments to carry out the
orders. Ii does not appear why the
foreign warships did not shell the Bashi-
Bazouks.
RED CRESCENT SOCIETY.
CONSTANTINOPLE,A April S.-The last
six survivors Of the Red Crescent Society
net to-day, for the first time since the
Russo-Turkish war of SITS. for the
purpose of organizing a service for the
relief OF the sick and wounded in the
event of an outbreak Of war between
Turkey and Greece, which is believed TO
be imminent.
ATTITUDE OF FRANCE.
PARIS. April Sin the Chamber of
Deputies to-day. NJ. Gautier de Clagney
interpellated the government regarding
the Cretan situation. NJ. Hanotaux, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, replying TO
the Interpolation, declared that it was
impossible 10 reproach the government
for the action they had taken in the
matter. He added that 1t was not likely
that conflict would occur at present
on the Macedonian frontier. The Powers
were considering the question OF even
tually blockading the ports of Greece.
Continuing, NJ. Hanotaux declared that
there was nothing specially disqueting
in the actual situation. The Powers
hoped that the counsels of wisdom would
prevail, with time.
MASSACRES OF ARMENIANS.
NJ. Denys asked the government for
information regarding the massacres at
Sivas and Tokat in Anatakori, where
large number of Armenians were killed
by Kurds and Turks. He also desired
10 know why coercion had not applied to
the Sultan TO compel him TO obey the de-
mands of the Powers.
NJ. Hanotaux replied that a message
had been telegraphed March 18th, 10 NJ
Cambon. the French Ambassador at Con-
stantinople, directing him 10 make rep
reservations 10 the Sultan as to the I'M
satisfactory condition of affairs. NJ.
Hanotaux further said that in conse-
auence of wrongful acts. the Military
Governor of Adana had been recalled by
the Porte and a Christian appointed in
his stead. With reference TO the appli-
cation Of coercion. NJ Hauotaux said the
Powers had decided 10 exact the execu-
ton Of the reforms that they had de-
manded. and which had been promised
by the Sultan. Europe he said, in con-
clusion. might count upon the firmness
Of the ambassadors at Constantinople,
in insisting upon the execution of the
reforms.
GREEKS SAIL FOR HOME.
NEW YORK, April 3.--Another squad
OF Greek patriots sailed for the home
country TO fight the Turks to-day. There
were 1O5 in the party. They gathered In
front OF the Parthenon restaurant. at
% Roosevelt street, and at 8 o'clock the
START was made for the French-L.ne
nier where they boarded La TOuraine. !
As the warriors assembled the gangplank
they were embraced and kissed by many !