The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-06
Fifteen Thousand Christians Re-
ported to Have Been Massacred
by Their Enemies.
PORTION OF CANEA In ASHES
OTHER TOWNS AND VILLAGES ALSO
REPORTED BURNED.
War Vessels Ordered from Greece
The Situation Grave-Generul
Foreign News.

LONDON, Feb. 6.--Adyices from Athens
and other places Indicate the situation in
the Island of Crete is very grave An un-
confirmed report has reached Vienna that
1.500 Christians have been massacred. Dis
patches direct from Canea, Island of Crete,
say the Mussulmans have burned three
fourths of the Christian quarters of the
city The Christians, while trying to es
cape To the war ships, were attacked by the
Mussulman population and many We're
killed and injured. The total number of
victims as a result of the recent fighting
is estimated at 800. Several Turkish SOL
diers were wounded. Endeavors were
made to establish military cordons around
the Christian and Mussuman quarters.
The trouble originated in the unfounded
port that the Mussulmans had killed fifty
seven Christian sentinels at Akrostri. When
this report was received the vail ordered
the troops to proceed to the defense of the
Christian villagers. Several villages were
destroyed by fire. Canea itself is in a state
of complete revolt. The soldiers fired from
the ramparts on the heads of the Chris
tians. The Mussulmans set fire to the
quarters occupied by the Christians and the
flames were visible from the war ships of
the powers anchored in the harbor. The
recton of the palace of the Archbishop and
Greek schools. The commanders of the
Italian and French gunboats attempted to
stop the fighting and landed small detach-
ments of soldiers for the purpose of pro-
tecting the telegraph offices. The Chris
tians at Halepa sought refuge at the Of
fees of the foreign consuls and on board
the gunboat The vail and the coasuls of
Hall w no
outbreak commenced, but they were unable
to enter Cdnea until nightfall.
a dispatch from Athens says: In the
legislative chamber to-day the president
of the council. Delyannis, announced
that the government had ordered
two men of war to proceed at once 10
Crete. The announcement was followed by
scene of intense excitement and en-
thusiasm Minister of Marine Levdis or
dered the gun vessel Salaminia to leave her
dock Immediately. 1t is stated that some
make ready for possible trip to Crete.
The latest news from Canea is 10 the erect
that foreign vessels are already engaged in
the work of transporting refugees to the
Grecian island of Milo. Ii is also announced
that the foreign conSuls were obliged 10
make their escape from Halepa TO Canea
by way of the sea.
The Rome correspondent of the Daily
News announces that Italian volunteers
have started for Greece for the purpose of
joining in the insurrection on the island of
Crete. The government has ordered the ad-
miral commanding the Italian squadron at
Smyrna 10 send reinforcements to Canea.
1t is also announced that the Italian cruiser
Elena has already transferred seven hun
dred refugees from the island of Crete TO
Grecian ports. These refugees announce
that they have witnessed the most horrible
scenes during the recent massacres in the
vicinity of Canea.
\ dispatch to the Daily News from
Athens says: THE situation at Canea has
reached a crisis of blood and fire. The
Turkish troops have joined hands with the
native Mussulman cuthroats. The consul
has sent kilograms to the effect that the
situation is hopeless. At Retimo 5000 Mus
sulmans assembled in front of the govern
ment house and threatened to slaughter the
entire Christian population unless all OF the
armed Christians outside of the town would
consent to dispense. The attempts to eX-
clude the MuSsulmanS from the strategic
portions of the town We're abandoned upon
the advice of the bishops 2nd the Chris
tianS finally consented to ret re. This con-
cesSion on the part of the Christians, how
ever does not prevent the MuSusmans
from continuing to besiege Christian VII
lagos.
clan legislative chamber, the correspond
ent of the Daily News says: 1.-The cham
Der adjourned in the midst of cheers and
cries of Long live the union of Greece and
Crete Leading members on both sides of
the chamber. in their speeches during the
course of the debate said that both Greece
and Crete had manifested sufficient pa
thence and long-suffering and that further
naction would be of the nature of a crime
against the sacred right of the nation as
well as against humanity itself"
4 dispatch to the Times from Athens
gives account of the situation there 1t
says: Captain Kriezes, the Kings aid
dc-camp has been appointed to the COM
once to Crete and the greatest activity
prevails in the naval circles at Piraeus.