The Saint Paul globe., 1897-02-13
ATHENS EXPECTS TROUBLE.
OPEN H0STILTTIES CERTAIN If
TURKEY TRIES TO LAND ANY
TROOPS.
ATTITUDE OF THE GREAT POWERS.
1t Is Believed They Would Accept
an Occupation If 1t Were an Ac-
complished Fact.

citement here has increased with the
departure Of troops for the frontier and
the equipping Of additional war vessels
for service in Cretan waters Nobody
seems to doubt that a clash at arms
will occur between Greece and Turkey
unless the powers intervene, but it is
believed here that Greece will be given
free hand in Crete, and if she sue
ceeds in annexing that island her right
to do so will not be questioned by the
rest of Europe. 1t is quite certain that
King George has not acted without
| consulting with his friends in sending
the torpedo flotilla into Cretan waters
with instructions to prevent at all
hazards the landing of Turkish troops
| in Crete
The Porte is understood to have ap-
! pealed to the powers to restrain Greece
in this emergency, but nothing further
is known Of the policy Turkey is adopt
ing, though it is reported that a large
force Of Turkish troops is assembling
at Salonika for embarkation to Crete
that there is great activity in military
circles on the Turkish frontier, and
| that portion of the Turkish fleet is
| being prepared for active service
Advices received here from Canea to-
| day say that Georgi Berovitch Pasha,
the Turkish governor of Crete, sought
refuge last evening in the Greek con-
sulate at Canea, fearing the anger Of
the Mussulmans and dreading arrest.
1t is understood that Berovitch Pasha
had previously rendered his resignation
and that the sultan had refused to ac-
| cept it,
In reply to the request which the
| Turkish minister here, Asin Beym.
made yesterday for an explanation Of
the departure OF the Greek f1otilla for
Crete and the issuing Of the note to
| the powers, stating, in brief that
| Greece cannot remain inactive in view
! Of the present outrages upon Chris
tians in Crete. the government of
Greece says that the measures taken
| the Christians from occupying Halepa
at a moment when an attack upon that
town is threatend
The town of Canea is now said to be
tolerably quiet, but from four to five
thousand insurgents are near there,
awaiting for reinforcements. When
these arrive, it is stated the insurgents
will attack Canea in force.
1t is known here that the Turkish
officials in Crete have reported to the
porte that it is absolutely impossible
| to pacify the island without a very
large force of troops and the occupation
of every town, village and mountain
stronghold in the country. The hatred
which has always existed between the
Mussulmans and the Christians has
been famed into fever heat by the re-
cent collisions between the insurgents
! and the Turks, and this feeling has
been still further intensified by the
proclamation of the independence Of
Crete from Turkish rule and it's union
with the kingdom Of Greece.
Conflicts of a more or less serious ma
| ture are reported from many parts Of
| the island. and Heraklion is said to
| have been set on fire at q number of
points The foreign fleets have left
| Canea for Heraklion. which seem to
! confirm the report that 1t is now the
| center Of disturbance.
Other reports say that the situation
| at Retimo is almost as serious as at
| Heraklon. The Turks at Retimo re-
| the place until a detachment of 100
| Turkish soldEers and forty Mussul-
| mans, who are held at Amaria as hos
! tages, are released.
! The opinion expressed in official cir
| cles here is that nothing short Of a
| landing of blue jackets and marines
! from the foreign fleets will subdue
| the insurrection, and it is not believed
| that the powers can agree to take this
! step. Under these circumstances,
therefore, Greece feels justified in the
course she has adopted, even in event
| Of a conflict with Turkey.
| The report that Great Britain will, If
necessary, take the initiative in pre-
venting the Greek war vessels from
| actively interfering in Crete is not be
lieved here. It is thought that any
action which may be taken will be
| by Great Britain. France and Russia
| in common, but it is confidently report
! ed that these powers have decided to
! allow Greece to have her own way in
| the matter.
The insurgents of Crete, acting In
| concert with the foreign consuls, have
declared Halepa to be neutral terri
| tory, which must not be infringed
| commanders Of the foreign warships
have obtained the promise of the
! Greek admiral that he will give forty
! hours notice Of any attack which he
may determine to make upon Canea
| Constantinople, Feb. 12.-It was Off
| c1ally- announced this evening that g.
| council of ministers was held during
| the day for the purpose of coming to a
| decision regarding the attitude of
| Greece. The war party here just now
| is very influential, but it is hoped that
| a pacific settlement will yet be attain
| ed
At present there is no indication that
| the Turkish government has decided
| to send reinforcements to the island
| of Crete.
TORPEDO FLEET ARRIVES.