The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
The Story of the InsurrectiOn RetOId
From Athens.
Athens Gable in New York Sun.

From Athens.
Athens Gable in New York Sun.
In September, 1885, the powers forced
Turkey to determine upon certain reforms
for the island of Crete. 1t is only recent
ly that any substantial steps have been
taken toward carrying out these reforms
A commission sent to Crete for the pur-
pose of organizing the gendarmerie met
with constant opposition from the porte
The Christian population became impatient
at the delay; the Moslems, on the other
hand, were exasperated at the attempt to
introduce into actual practice the paper
reforms which they had every reason to
believe would never be carried into effect
They were justified in this view by the atti-
tude of the sultan who, with every means
in his power, endeavord to misinterpret the
proposed changes in the Cretan govern
ment and to prevent their actual appli-
cation. In the mean time the island was
left to manage itself without any police
force to speak Of Maj Borr, who was
appointed by the international commits
sion, was prevented from entering on his
work of organizing the gendarmerie until it
was too late to re-establish order. Col
lected taxes which should have been turn
ed into the treasury of the island were di-
verted to Stamboul
Still the ambassado at Constantinople
kept pressing matters, and it became evil
dent that a change was slowly being
brought about in Crete, by which the
Christian majority of the islanders were to
have their share in the government. There
seems little doubt that the Moslem popu-
lation, as was the case in Armenia, were
urged from Constantinople to make some
resistance to the innovations.
At any rate early in January of 1897 the
MoslemS in the vicinity of Rhetimo and
Gambia moved into these two towns, as
always happens in Crete when hostilities
are in contemplation.
The first act of violence was the killing
of a Christian named Kambouraks just
outside of Canea. This was followed by
the murder of two Turks in reprisal at
Halepa. The Moslem villagers now flock
ed into the town of Canea. On Jan. % a
Christian Judge, Markoulakes, was shot
from the window of a Turkish cafe. Ca
nea was in a panic. Stores were closed
and the small Christian population of the
town barricaded themselves in their
houses. Three days later riot occurred
among the MoslemS. One whole quarter
of Canea was burned, but owing to their
preparations only about thirty Christians
were killed and a few Moslems. Under
the protection of marines all the Chris
tan families of Canea were taken on
board the European men-of-war and car
red to the Greek islands. At present there
are only about fifty Christians in Canea.
The mountaineerS rose and came down to
within a short distance of the town. The
Moslem population had possession of the
towns, the Christians of the rest of the is
land Chaos reigned. The Turkish gov
eminent was either unable or unwilling
to cope with the situation. Engines sent
from the foreign men-of-war put out the
fire in Canea, but in no other respect did
the European powers make any move to
re-establish order.
This state of things continued from jan
IS until Feb. A. when Greece pluckily took
matters into her own hands Amid great
enthusiasm 1900 troops were embarked
at the Piraeus and before Europe had
time TO interfere these troops were landed
in Crete. Then only did the powers"
make up their minds that it was time to
occupy Canea. This they did with ma
rines from the men-of-War. At this point
the ambassadors at Athens sent diplo-
matte note to the Greek government dep
recating the landing of troops and advis-
ing their removal. In spite of many re-
ports to the contrary, the Greek minister
of foreign affairs insists that this is the
only official communication on the subject
made by the powers in Greece up to the
present moment The Greek government
answered that troops had been landed to
protect the Greek population of Crete, and
that they could not be withdrawn. In the
meantime, the Christian chiefs throughout
the island raised the Greek flag and de-
clared their desire for union with Greece.
Col Vassos, commander of the Greek
army of occupation, isused proclamation
to the Cretans in which he declared his
orders to be to take possession Of the
island in the name of the King of the Hell
lenes His first move was TO send 400 sol
diers to take the block house of Voukoiis
which was occupied by 300 Turkish troops.
on being summoned to surrender, the
Turkish officer in command gave answer
that so long as he had one soldier left
he would defend his post. on Feb. II the
Greeks opened fire on the fort with their
two mountain gun, and by evening had
greatly weakened the walls. However
for some inexplicable reason, the retreat
from the block house on the east had not
been cut Off, and during the night the gar
rison escaped to Castellos, three hours dis
tant, where 100 of them were taken pris-
oners on the following day All the rest
we're either killed or escaped TO Canea
This account of the engagement is from
Greek officer who was present and has
iust.returned to Athens with the 100 pris-
oners The latter are to be taken to
Alexandretta and handed over TO the Turk
ish government. This is merely means
10 get them out of the island.
on Feb. 10 the Turkish garrison of Co
ma, some 1900 men, with about 1000 ma
tive Moslems. started out to relieve the
blockhouse at Voukolles. Col. Vassos,
however anticipating the attempt. had
placed about 200 Christian insurgents 10
guard the road on the nights at Monoden-
dri These men held the Turks in check
until Col Vassos came UP with the main
body OF the Greek force, 1 100 men. The
Greek troops supported by eight noun
tain cannon. attacked the Turks at the
bayonette and completely routed them.
driving them back into Canea. where they
we're safe under the protection of the Eu-
ropean men-of-war After taking he
bIockhouse Of Ava, Col. Vassos Withdrew,
having orders not 10 disturb the European