New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-01
CRETANs REJECT AUTONOMY
NOTHING RIJT A UNION WITH GREECE
WILL. SATISFY THEM
. nr,roATroy CALLS ON KING GEoRGE-MoRE
FIGHTING on THE ISLAND BETWEEN MUS
s1-LMANs AND CHRISTIANS, AND
A FAMINE IMMINENT

.,bens Feb 2S-A number Of Cretan Depu-
ties headed by the Bishop of Retimo visited
King George to-day and pi resented to him me-
,rcrial which, in effect. declared that the es-
tablishment OF an autonomous government IN
Crete would not result in the pacitcaton of the
island Such n form of government would only
prepare the way to a fresh revolution and fur
ther endanger the peace of Europe. The Gre
fans therefore. had firmly decided not to ac-
cept autonomy but to continue their struggle
TO realize union with Greece, which, the memo
r;alists added even the Mussumans were begin
ling to agree was the only practical solution of
the question.
Canea. Feb 2S-The presence Of foreign war
ships off this port has not had the effect of pre-
venting fighting between the insurgents and
Turks save in the town itself where COM
paratively small force of sailors and marines
was recently landed for the purpose OF preserv-
ing order A skirmish occurred to-day at
Malaxa. a short distance from Canea. in when
the Turks were worsted although they outnum-
bered the Christians.
A Turkish warship in Suda Bay to-day be-
gan the bombardment of position occupied by
insurgents. but before she had done much hrns
her commander received word from the repre-
sentatives of the foreign Powers that he must
silence his guns or take the consequences. This
is the second time that the insurgents near
Suda Bay have been fired on by Turkish war
ship.
The fighting at Malaxa arose from fruitless
attempt on the part Of the Moslems. aided by
detachment of Turkish troops. TO revictual the
bockhouse where the Turkish garrison has
been blockaded for a number of days. The
Moslems made sortie but the insurgents were
prepared for just such a move, and attacked
he VI inal driving X.
During the lighting a heavy fire directed
upon the Christians from the Turkish arsenal
in Canea. II had. however, little effect. and the
Christians still maintain the position held by
them prior TO the fight.
Further fighting has occurred in the vicinity
of Heraklion. AS heretofore. the insurgents un-
der Korakas repused the Turks
The Greek. KOrakas. who at the head of 1000
insurgents mas invested the town Of Heraklion.
has given permission 10 the Turks to leave the
place in order that they may cultivate the lands
adjacent to the town His action however. is
looked upon with suspicion by many Moslems.
they believing that il is his intention to benefit
from the lah9rs Of the Turks by seizing their
crops when they ripe On the other hand.
those who are acquainted with the character Of
Korakas declare that he is just and humane
man. and that his only object in permitting
from famine among the women and children IN
the beeaguered town.
Several British and italian officers recently
visited the camp of Korakas. where they were
treated with much courtesy. They were aston
ished by the excellent discipline maintained
among the insurgents and by the perfection Of
their organization. all of which is due to Korakas.
who appears TO be born leader CT men. He Is
enthusiastic in support of the Of the
Cretans and his force will prove no unimportant
factor should Turkey attempt TO quell the in
surrection by force of arms.
Tewfk Pacha the new Military Governor. ar
rived here to-day and paid visits 10 the several
consuls.
new danger threatens this unfortunate ISL
and and If il is to be averted speedy settlement
Of the present difficulties must be arrived at.
Every day the situation is becoming more des-
perate, owing to the fact that throughout the ISL
and the state of war prevents any attention be-
ing paid 20 the crops In the towns which are be-
sieged by the insurgents. the situation is much
than IL is in the country districts.
In Heraklion alone. where there has been a
large influx Of refugees the outlook is very seri-
Gus There is now in the town. counting the regu-
lar Moslem population and the refugees. fully
25O0O persons. Provisions scarce and
famine is imminent. Large numbers Of the refu-
gees are already dying OF starvation, and it was
knowledge OF this fact that led Korakas, the
Greek leader to issue his order permitting the
cultivation OF the fields near the town.
The lines Of the besiegers absolutely i'm
rassable as has been proved by the failure Of
the several sorties that have been made. The
officials In the town have telegraphed to Canea
imploring the assistance Of the foreign warshps
in raising the siege. but il is not considered like
Iy that their supplicaton will receive a favora-
Ia
the starving. Korakas has not yet cut off the
water supply of the town. which he threatened
few days ago TO do. Should he carry this threat
i1to effect the condition of the besieged peo-
pie would be pitable indeed
Korakas with pa: / Of his forces Is advancing
upon Hierapetra. He viii pass through the tur-
buent district OF Lasithi, and the populace there
is certain TO join him II is pretty certain that
the garrison at Hierapetra will have to capitu-
late when the insurgents reach there unless the
foreign warships help the Turks.
On March 3 the armistce of a week agreed 10
between the Moslems and the Christians at Sc
limo will expire The position of the Moslems
there is precarous The insurgents so in
censed over the Commandment Of Akrotri that
It is considered doubtful whether they will listen
TO the persuasion Of Colonel Vassos the com
mander Of the Greek army Of occupation. who
has promised 10 use his influence with the insur-
gents 10 obtain the release OF the beseged Mos
lens.
1t has been learned that the fighting at Maaxa
resulted in the killing Of eight Turks and the
wounding Of many others. The Christian losses,
II any. unknown.
The engagement caused the most intense ex-
citement here and prompted incendiarlsm in the
vicinity Of the town Two villages and several
isolated houses were destroyed
TURKEY WILL RESIST COERCION.
THE PoRTHS PREPARATIONS FOR WAR CONTINUE