The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-02-13
SITUATION In CRETE
Greece and Turkey Are on the Verge
Of a War.
The TORCH BEING APPLIED
Insurgents Awaiting Reinforce
ments Before Attacking the
City of Canea-Creat 5ritain
May Remain Neutral.
Copyright 1897 by Associated Press,

Copyright 1897 by Associated Press.
Athens, Feb. le.-The warlike excite
ment has increased with the departure
of troops for the frontier and the equip
ping OF additional war vessels for serv-
Ice In Cretan waters. Nobody seems
to doubt that a clash at arms viii oc-
cur between Greece and Turkey unless
the powers intervene; but IL is believed
that Greece will he given free hand in
Crete and that IL she succeeds In an
nexing that island. her right to do so
will not lie questioned by the rest Of
Europe. IL is quite certain that King
George has not acted without consult
ing his friends in sending the torpedo
iiotilla into Cretan waters with in
structions TO prevent. at all hazards,
the landing Of Turkish troops In Crete.
The porte Is understood tn have APP
pealed To the powers to restrain Greece
In this emergency. but nothing further
is known OF the policy Turkey is adopt
ing, though IL Is reported that "A large
force of Turkish troops is assembling at
Salonika for embarkation 10 Crete;
that there is great activity in military
circles ON the Turkish frontier and
that portion of the Turkish fleet Is
being prepared for active services. Nd
vices received here from Canea, say
that Berovitch Pasha, the Turkish gov
ernor of Crete. sought refuge last night
In the Greek consulate at Canea, feel
ing the anger of the Mussulmans and
dreading arrest. Ii is understood that
Beroyitch Pasha had previously ten
dered his resignation and that the sui
tan had refused tn accept IL.
In reply To the request from the
Turkish minister here, Assim Bey
made yesterday, for an explanation Of
the departure of the Greek iiotilla for
Crete and issuing of the note TO the
powers stating in brief that Greece can
not remain inactive I'm view of the pres
ent outrages upon Christians In Crete.
the government of Greece says that the
measures taken are due To a desire not
to discourage the Christians from oc-
cupying Halepa at u moment when an
attack upon that town is threatened.
The town of Canea is now said tn he
tolerably quiet, hut from 1000 to 1000
insurgents are near there awaiting re-
Inducements. When the reinforce
ments arrive II Is stated that the In
surgents will attack Canea In force.
1t is known here that the Turkish
officials i'm Crete have reported to the
porte that II Is absolutely impossible
to pacify the island without a very
large force Of troops and the occupa-
ton Of any town. village and mountain
stronghold in the country. The ha-
tired which has always existed between
the Mussulmans and the Christians has
been famed into fever heat by the re-
cent collisions between the insurgents
and the Turks and this feeling has been
still further intensified by the procla-
nation of the independence OF Crete
from Turkish rule and its union with
the kingdom of Greece.
Conflicts Of n more ar less serious ma
ture are reported from many parts Of
the island and Heraklion liz said 10
have been set on fire at n number OF
points. The foreign fleets have left
Canea for Heraklion. which seems 10
confirm the report that II Is now the
center Of disturbance. other reports
say that the situation at Rctimo is al
most as serious as at Heraklion. The
Turks at Retimo refuse to allow Chris
tians To leave the place until detach-
ment of 100 Turkish soldiers and W
Mussulmans who are held at Amari
as hostages are released. The opinion
expressed In official circles here Is that
nothing short of a landing of blue jack
cts and marines from the foreign fleets
will subdue the insurrection and II Is
not believed that the powers can agree
to take this step. Under these circum-
stances Greece feels justified in the
course she has adopted. even in the
event of conflict with Turkey.
The report that Great Britain WILL II
necessary. take the initiative In pre-
venting Greek war vessels from ac-
lively interfering in Crete. II not he
lieved here. II IL thought that any ac-
tion which may he taken Will he by
Great Britain, France and Russia III
common. but, IL IL confidently report
ed that these powers have decided to
allow Greece TO have her own way In
the matter. The insurgents OF Crete,
acting in concert with the foreign con-
suls, have declared Halepa to he neu-
tral territory. which must not he In
fringed upon without "a hours notice.
The commanders OF foreign warshlps
have obtained the promise of the Greek
admiral that he will give 40 hours mo-
tice Of any attack which he may deter
mine to make upon Canea.