Evening star., 1897-03-22
WILL BE OF NO AVAIL
The Blockade Of Crete by the Fleets
of the Powers.
GREEK FORCES WELL PROVISIONED
Turkish Troops on the Frontier
Lack Food.
RUMOR REGARDING RUSSIA

CONsTANTINOPLE. March o2-The
opinion prevails here that the blockade of
the Island of Crete by the fleets of the
foreign powers. which began yesterday,
Will ne useless proceeding. as Col. Vas
SOS. commander of the Greek army of oc
capation. is we'll supplied with provisions
1t is now thought that the best means to
accomplish the withdrawal of the Greek
troops from Crete would be to withdraw
the Turkish troops.
Difficulty is already being experienced in
feeding the Turkish troops the from
tier Edhem Pasha, the Turkish COM
marder tn Macedonia, has telegraphed
the minister cf war not TO send any fur
ther endorsements of troops. accoun,
of the scarcity of provisions. 1t is fur
tier seated that Edhem Pasha has twice
submitted his resignation to the porte, but.
it is added, the ministers refused to ac-
cept it.
just u-dde ready for sea has received seal
ed orders. but il is not believed the war
ships viii leave Gallipoli. Their depar-
tLre from here was intended TO justify The
minister of marine in the eyes of the sui
tan and 10 inspire the Mussulmans with
confidence.
During the disorders at Tokat. in the
SiVaS district of Asia Minor. reported yes
terday fifteen persons We're killed on both
sides. The Turks attacked the Armenians
Wnile the latter were in church, and 1t is
feared that this outbreak marks a renew II
OF the massaCres of Armerians-
COPENHAGEN. Marcn 22.-1'he semi
official Berlingske TidSnte publishes a Ills
patch from Athens. saying that ~ agree
men has been concluded whereby Russia
guarantees the integrity of the Turkish
empire in return for island in the Mod
iterranesn and the peninsula of Mount
Athos.
BELGRADE. Servia. March 2e.-rlC re-
port that the reserves and niiii,: of the
Servian army has been called out is pro-
noJnced 10 be untrue. AMI is said to have
been based upon thu fact that the officers
of the reserves and militia have been sum-
moHed to attend a course Of lectures at the
Military Academy.
II IS officially declared that the govern
reHt OF Servid has 10 wish to ei;,laTger ;he
peace OF Europe. that no troops are massei
on the frontier and that such L Sep is no;
contemplated
NAL-LETrA. Island of Malta March q
The SeafCrth Hishlarde-s have sailed sor
Cdned, Island OF Crete, on board the trans
port Clyde They will arrive a. their des-
t!nat-on Wednesday
CANEA. Island of Crete. March 1.-THE
Insurgents descended yesterday evening
clcse TO the block house Of Malaxa and
hred on SCda- The Turkish cruiser replied
WitE several shells No one killed or
wounded.
VIENNA, March 22-The Neue Freie
Presse says that Great Britain has pro-
posed that a collision between the Turkish
troops or the frontier of Thessaly be pre-
vented by the formation Of a neutral zone
mile wide. between the Greek and Turk
ish forces. as was done in 1SSG.
No Concern at the state Department..
Inquiry al the White House and the State
Department today shows that the highest
officials Of the government have no special
concern of the blockade of Crete, for the
reason that it in no wise affects ;he trade
interests of the United states There is
practically commerce between the
United States and the Island of Crete and
the stars and stripes are seldom seen in
that portion Of the Mediterranean, and
then only on naval vess,,s
The government has been officially ad-
Vized of the blockade through the United
States embassy at London Mr.. Carter,
the charge, in the absence Of the ambassa-
dor, notified the department. Of the con-
ce-ted action of Great Britain. France.
Italy. Germany, Russia and Austria-H II un-
gary Saturday, and Sir Julian Pauncefote,
the British ambassador nz-e, has PERSONAL
IL notified Secretary Sherman that the
ports of Crete have been closed TO ships
sailing under the Greek fla, and against
vessels of all nations carrying articles con-
traband OF war 10 the Greeks or insurgents
on the island.
Merchant vessels OF neutral powers. in
Cluding those of the United States and OF
tho treaty powers. while subject to over
hauling by the blockading warships of the
coLcerting fleets. are not to be disturbed in
their ordinary cornms rcial occupations
Ii is said at the State Department that
the situation calls for no action whatever
by this government, and will nor unless a
vessel OF this country shall he interfcre.l
with In her international or maritime
rights.
According to one official, the United
- s4s-G NOT
Tute the rights of the European countries
II establishing the Cretan blockade: it
simply maintains an attitude Of passive
neutrality.