The herald., 1897-03-13
THE CONCERT OF EUROPE
Is Not So Harmonious as It
Might Be
ADMIRALS READY TO ACT
But the Powers Can't Agree on the
Program
nsantims the Greek Government Shows No
Signs Of Rsceding From the Position
Taken at First

Associated Press Special Wire
PARIS, March 12.-The following
semi-ofTicial announcement was made
this afternoon: The powers, while
united in principle, have not yet been
able to reach solution Of the Cretan
question. Proposals and objections are
being exchanged hourly. The program
drawn up by the admirals in the Cretan
waters is as follows:
First-The blockade Of the island OF
Crete.
Second-The blockade of Piraeus and
some other Greek ports.
Third-The seizure by a detachment
of the fleet of telegraph offices at Syria.
Fourth-Any Greek warships encoun-
tered are to be taken to the island Of
Milo and kept there.
Fifth-Any Greek warships firing on
any foreign warships are to be sunk and
the act to be considered casus belh
Sixth-Any Greek torpedo boat near
ing a foreign warship is to be fired at.
Seventh-As the blockade of Greece
will require all the crews Of foreign
warships each power Is to send to Crete
battalion Of infantry of not less than
GOO men in number. gsese
Each of the foreign admirals tele-
graphed a copy of these proposals to his
government. Germany Immediately tel
egraphed the powers she would accept
the proposals down to the seventh and
would accept the seventh in principle,
but had not battalion available. Aus
tria wired the powers that she would
accept the proposals, but as Emperor
Francis Joseph was at Cape Martin, she
must have time to consult with his
majesty. Italy telegraphed acceptance
Of all the proposals, but 1t was added
that they must be submitted to the cab
met council which would be done with
in three days. Russia. Great Britain
and France were silent for time. Then
Great Britain proposed a gendarmerie
to be organized In Crete by utilizing
Greek troops, not using the Greek fiag,
and not using Greek officers in this con
nection.
Russia eventually answered that as
the powers had presented their ulti-
matum to Greece, and Greece had re-
piled by offering to withdraw her fleet.
lne dHSMt CT IDS COHCnldtOIy anu partly
satisfactory, therefore Russia proposed
further collective note demanding the
withdrawal Of Greek troops. Franco
seconded the reply of Russia.
During the pour parlers a general
agreement was suggested that the pow
ers should each advance a certain sum
for the pay of .gendarmerie and the
expense of organizing an autonomous
government for Crete. This was imme-
ground that she was not willing to
spend a pfennig for this purpose. France
this afternoon proposed to the British
foreign Office that the powers proceed
Immediately to organize gendarmerie
naming the governor of Crete from Hol-
land, Belgium or, perhaps, Switzerland
Several names were considered. Great
Britain points out that the members OF
the previous Cretan gendarmerie rar
away and mutinied, and that Greek
troops are the best available for this
purpose. Consequently this propose
will probably be the modus vivendi by
which the situation will be solved, and
there are no doubts that the Greeks
will accept 1t.
TURKISH TROUBLES.
CONSTANTINOPLE, March ia
threatening feature has been added tt
the situation in the renewed outbreaks
threatening in Anatolia. The British
ambassador, Sir Phillip Currie, ha:
drawn the attention of the Turkish gov.
ernment to the condition of things II
the districts of Asia Minor. and request.
ed that immediate steps be taken tC
avert another catastrophe 1t appears
that the condition of the Christians there
Is deplorable. They are the victims Of
constant oppression, outrage and mur'
der, and the situation at Payas is sc
critical that another Sassoun massacre
is feared.
Advices received here from Erzeroun
say that large forces of Russian troops
are concentrating on the Armenian
frontier in the direction of Sarakamich
in the district of Kars.
SMUGGLED ARMS.
BERLIN, March PA dispatch from
Constantinople says large quantities o.
Gras rifles and cartridges are being
smuggled from Greece into the Turkish
island of Chios. off the west coast ol
Asia Minor, and sold to the inhabitants
at low prices. :.
DESTITUTE TROOPS.
PARIS, March IA dispatch fron
Larissa says that at the Turkish head.
quarters at Flassona there are 1900
i troops, but both officers and men art
destitute and have scarcely clothes t.
cover them, and there have been numer
GUS desertions.
The Greek troops. It is further assert
ed, are in excellent condition and so full
Of enthusiasm that their of1lcers hav'
difficulty in keeping them quiet. Th'
| frontiers are covered with $1,000 insur
gents, who are only waiting the sigma
| to advance. 1t Is estimated that in an
other weeks time there will be likel,
| 80, 900 Greeks concentrated on the from
| tier
| The Gaulois says that the blockad
must be postponed.
| DOUBT AND BELIEF
| ATHENS. March 1z.-The war feve
| is subsiding, owing to the popular be