The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-22
lld remain on the defensive unless he

was attacked.
Notwithstanding this assurance, fighting
took place to-day on the hills to the east
of the town, the combatants, who were
Cretan Christians and Mussulmans only,
were in plain view from the ships in the
harbor. The reply of the Mussulmans to
the fire of the Christians was very feeble
and it could be easily seen that they would
be compelled to abandon their positions
if the Christians pressed them. Their gun
practice was so very poor that 1t excited
ridicule on board the ships.
The main position of the Christians was
in a hamlet on the ridge of the hills where
they had hoisted the flag of Greece. This
position was about 1000 yards from the
warships.
At 4:SO o'clock, the flagship displayed
signals for the Dryad, Harrier and Re
venge, and one vessel each of the Italian
German and Russian squadrons to open
fire on the Cretan position. The order
was quickly complied with. The British
vessels fired forty shells, and the other
vessels about thirty. The aim of the
gunners was very good, and it was soon
seen that the position of the insurgents
was becoming untenable. In about ten
minutes the Greek flag was hauled down,
and as soon as it disappeared the order
cease firing was given and the guns of
the feet Immediately became silent.
Thereupon the flag was again hoisted on
it's staff. The rocks in the vicinity were
crowded with Cretans. The Mussulmans,
encouraged and embo,dened by the assist
ance that had been given to them by the
fleets of Christian Europe, now began a
lively fusilade on the Cretans who were
engaged in removing their wounded. The
Christians were evidently dispirted by the
acton of the fleets and made no attempt
to return the fire.
The action of the foreign warships has
caused the deepest indignation here and
the supporters of the sultan are bitterly
denounced on all sides. 1t is declared
that the powers, in upholding Moslem
rule by force of arms have made mel
ancholy and degrading spectacle that
Greece will never forget.
London, Feb 21-The Daily News cor
respondent at Canea telegraphs a detailed
account of the fighting at and the aban-
donment of Fort Voukoulis, which the
Christians subsequently, blew UP with dy-
Mantle The Moslems lost fifty killed in
the fighting.
After the main body of the Greek
troops had returned to Platania from You
koulis, news arrived that 500 Turks and
500 Bashi Bazouks were attempting to ad-
vance from Canea. and that they We're
held in check in detile by a force of 200
Cretans.
Col Vassos sent a battalion of infantry
and company of chasseurs to assist the
Cretans. The country was difficult to tra-
verse; being heavily wooded, but the
Greeks managed to get through.
The Turks, when they learned of the ap-
proach of reinforcementS, took positions
on the nights, and for three hours made
a desperate defense. The Greek troops
were all young men, who had never seen
hi wit a. irah Ia
courage. They drove the Turks from
one position to another, and captured the
tower of Ayah and Monkundra and the
barracks of Lividia, which they burned.
The Moslems retreated, taking with
them three cannons. The Greeks pursued
them to within a mile of Canea and then
unknown, but numbers of wounded were
taken into Canea. The Greeks suffered Sc
verely. Three officers were killed and one
officer severely wounded.
The Athenian student corps fought be-
side the troops
Berlin, Feb 2-The Lolxal Anziger has
a dispatch from Copenhagen saying that
King George of Greece has telegraphed to
his father, the King of Denmark, that he
is going to Crete to command in person the
Greek troops there.
London, Feb 21-The Times has a dis
patch from Canea saying that the admi-
rails of the several fleets there have de-
cided to land guns to defend the town in
the event of the Greek troops or the in
surgents advancing.
The dispatch adds that wounded Mos
lens in the hospital declare that the vic
tins of the Sarakimos massacre were Of
fered a safe conduct to Selino, where
they would be exchanged for hostage. The
offer was accepted, but on the march to
Selino the Christian escort and the other
Christians attacked and massacred them.
1t is further said that ii is believed that
the report of the massacre of 2,OO0 Mus
sulmans at Sitia is greatly exaggerated.
Constantinople, Feb. H.-The Cretan
troubles led to a serious fight here to-day
between a number of Greek and Turkish
porters. Knives. were freely used ana
some of the combatants were dangerous
ly wounded. All those who took part in
the fight were arrested.
Athens, Feb. 21.-It is reported here that
a Turkish transport escorted by a Brit
diers to Heraklion and Canea.
Rome, Feb. H.-The popular agitation in
Italy in favor of the union of Greece and
Crete is increasing daily and 1t makes the
position of the government difficult.
Thirty member of the Chamber of Depu-
ties have telegraphed congra tulations to
Athens upon the decided stand taken by
Greece.
There were important popular manifes-
tations in several towns to-day in favor of
Greece. An enthusiastic meeting was
held in Rome which declared in favor Of
Greeks in their attempt TO free Crete of
Turkish mlsrule. After the meeting there
was a manifestation in front of the Greek
legation, the crowd cheering King George
and the Greek people.
FIGHT OF THE RAILROADS..