Evening star., 1897-02-13
FREEDOM OF CRETE
Believed at Athens to Be Already
Accomplished.
REPORTED LANDING OF SUPPLIES
Prince Georges FIotiIIa E|udes the
Watch of the Warshps.
LESS PROSPECT OF WAR
LESS PROSPECT OF WAR


people are becoming calmer and the public
officials are betraying anxiety as TO the
eventual outcome cf the demonstration Of
1t is now known that strong pressure has
been brought to bear upon King George
within the past twenty-four hours. and
that equally strong pressure has been ex-
erclsed upon the Sultan of Turkey in order
to prevent an outbreak of hostilities be-
tween Greece and Turkey. The latter coun-
try is understood to have agreed not to
send troops to Crete. and the powers, in
return, are believed to be restraining
Greece from actively interfering in Crete.
At the same time there is evidently dan
ger in the direction of Thessaly and Ma
cedonia, for Greek troops are being hur-
riedly dispatched to the frontiers, and
ports from Salonika say that the Turks
are quietly mastering an army corps there,
in order to be prepared for emergencies.
The situation in the Island of Crete has
somewhat improved Desultory fighting is
still reported. and it Is stated here that
the insurgents are practically in possess
sion of the whole island, with the excep-
ton of the larger towns. If this is the
case, the union Of Crete with Greece hav-
ing been formally proclaimed the independ
ence OF the Cretans from Turkish rule is
almost fait accompli, and it is difficult to
see how the pre-eXiSting order of things
can be restored without joint action upon
the part of the powers and a military oc-
cupation of Crete by the foreign fleets. In
official circles here this outcome is not be-
lieved to be possible, and there is a dispo-
sition now to quietly allow events to take
their natural course, the idea being that
Crete is practically free and that the ISL
and is likely to remain so unless sub
dued by the powers. Therefore, the ques-
ton to be discussed, it is said. is whether
the powers will permit tn Cretan insur-
1fc IN nrio fhny~ i,,@a nr,I
eventually ally themselves with Greece.
Reported Landing of Supplies.
Copyright. 1897. by the Associated Press.l
CANEA, Island of Crete, February I3.-
1t is reported here this morning that the
Greek torpedo f1otilla, commanded by
Prince George of Greece, which arrived
here yesterday, has succeeded. in spite of
the vigilance of the foreign warships In
landing, during the past night, a quantity
OF arms, 800 cases of ammunition and 800
cases OF provisions intended for the Cretan
insurgents, who are gathered in large num-
bers on the hill tops. 1t Is also stated that
the Greek warships have the intention of
landing Greek colonel Of artillery, eighty
Greek artillerymen and some guns.
1t is estimated that 800 Moslems have
heen killed at Sitia. and that many others
were killed at kisamo. Conflicts between
the Mussulmans and Christians are re-
ported from all parts of the island.
The Cretan insurgents, after proclaiming
their independence of Turkey and the union
OF Crete with Greece, Thursday formed n
provisional government.
The gathering and arming of the Chris
tians continues on all sides. From shore to
shcre the Cretans are In revolt ana the
situation becomes more alarming every
hour The Cretans are now in possession
OF large part of the island and are
threatening the important towns. The
landing of blue jackets and marines from
the foreign fleets is CONTEMPLATED accord
ing to report.
The Sultan to Do Nothing.
Copyright. 1897, by the Associated Press.)
CONSTANTINOPLE, February 49, -
There is a deposition in official circles here
to hold the powers responsible for any
thing that may happen in Crete. The sui
tan has been prevailed upon by the am
bassadors to refrain from sending rein
fcrcements of troops to Crete and he has
also been assured that the powers have
decided not to permit the landing of Greek
troops in Crete. Therefore the whole mat
ter is in the hands of the powers, and the
sIitan's encourage at least is inclined to
believe that the powers may have a falling
out as to the disposition to be made of The
insurgent island.
The council of ministers, it is semi-of
ciaily announced. has decided that Turkey
VIII remain passive pending the efforts of
the powers to prevent direct Greek inter
vention in Crete; but, 1t is further stated.
II the powers are unsuccessful in those eff
1crts the Turkish government will be COM
peiled TO begin military operations on the
Tbsssaian frontier; or, in other WORDS.
Turkey will declare war against Greece and
promptly invade that country
This is no rumor from diplomatic circles.
Inc decision of the porte en- the subject
has been formally and officially co!nmunf
Gated to the different embassies and the
Turks are in earnest.
There is no doubt, however that the will,
nnsness OF the sultan to apparently bow
to the will of the powers in the nresent
Cretan crisis was largely due to the i'm
peVerlshed state of the Turkish treasury.
money In no small amount would be need
ed TO send an army corps to Crete, and this
money Is not yet forthcoming
The situation is a grave one bevond
oouDt, ana, as usual, the sultan is calmly
teeAohihS on coming out of it ahead bv
trusting to the tealousies of the powers
ara TIE advent OF the unexpected.
Representations of the Powers.
LONDON, February 13.-A dispatch to
the Times from Athens says that in sn,te
OF obstinate official silence tits known that
something is happening on the Turkish
frontier necessitating the movement Of
troops In that direction. The Turkish an
thorities are aware Of the difficulty and
are taking serious military precautions
against Greece, owing to the critical state
of feeling. Macedonia has organized isrre
bodies OF Albanian ghegs ready to invade
Thessaly and engage in guerrilla warfare
as a seton to the Grecian-Macedonian
movement. Whatever truth there is in
this report. 1t is certain that there was an
unusual commotion in military circles in
Athens yesterday.
A dispatch to the Times from Vienna
says that the powers have made represen-
tations to the Grecian government which
are not likely to be misunderstood at Ath-
ems; representations which will not only
check Greece and prevent that country
from taking the law into it's own hands.
but which will also pacify the sultan and
prevent Turkish military action along Inc
Grecian frontier.
The Paris correspondent of the Times
says that it is the universal opinion in
France that the King of Greece has been
assured of the support Of Russia SO far as
his designs for a union of Crete with Greco.
are concerned.
Germany Rather Favors Turkey.
dispatch to the Times from Berlin saws
that the general situation inspires the
greatest apprehension. The Berlin Post
contains v hat is believed to be an inspireta
e. kI~k