The San Francisco call., 1897-03-22
The Only Hope for Insurgents
Is for Greek Vessels
to Slip In.
GEORGES SHAREHOLDERS FIRE
UPON THE IURKS.
Now There Is a Prospect of Hostili.
ties Commencing On til! From
tier at Any Moment

to the Proclamation issued by the foreign
admirals the blockade of Crete began at
s O'Clock this morning. 1t is apparent
that tho blockade is directed solely against
the Christians in the interior, and that
the Moslems will suffer little 1ncon-
venience from the ac:ion of the six great
Christian nations of Europe. 1t appears
that the object of the pIockading squad
ron is to prevent the landing of supplies
OF food, clothing, etc., destined for the
starving Christians In the interior, while
the Mussulmans who have fiocked to the
coast towns are allowed to land whatever
they want.
The few Christians remaining here find
it difficult 10 understand the motives that
are prompting the powers to exert their
strength to crush the Christian popula-
tion of the island, while the Moslems are
given free hand to do about as they
please.
About the only hope for the Christians
outside the coast towns Is in Greek block
ade-runners, who will not hesitate to run
through the Gordon of foreign warships
around the island.
There was an exchange of shots yester-
day between insurgents and Moslems in
the vicinity OF Suda Bay. The Turkish
warships in the bay bonn barded the in
surgents but the result is not known. A
number of foreign warships were in the
bay. but they took no part in the firing.
If any further evidence was necessary
to prove the antagonism of the powers, as
represented by their admirals, to the
Christians, it is furnished by an incident
is the place where the fleets recently
bombarded the insurgents position. Akro-
tiri is on the peninsula of that name
which projecs in a northeasterly drec-
tion from Canea. The insurgents there
are cut off from receiving provisions from
the land side by the Turkish and foreign
troops, and the foreign warships have
prevented them from receiving supplies
by sea. Their position is becoming des-
perate, and they yesterday sent ENJOYS to
Suda to beg that food be supplied to them
from the warships.
The Admirals refused to give them the
assistance asked for, but said that if med :
cal aid was needed it would be forthcom-
ing. Later several OF the doctors from the
feet VISITED the camp of the insurgents.
1t is reported here that when the Italian
officer who was intrusted with the duty OF
notifying Colonel Vassos, the commander
of the Greek army of occupation, of the
stablishment of the blockade handed the
copy of the blockade proclamation to the
Greek commander, the latter, after read
ing it, declared that he would resist as far
as it was in his power TO do so. Later he
had conference with the insurgent chiefs,
i Il "a
every copy of the autonomy proclamation
10 he torn up.
The more the subject OF autonomy is
considered the less practical it appears to
be, and the conviction is rapidly growing
that the powers will find their scheme OF
no use. I he belief prevails that under
the plan of autonomy twould be hopeless
for Moslems and Christians to obtain
equal justice.
The religious feud between the two sects
is too great to expect that the Christians
would act Justly toward the Moslems if
the former were in absolute control of the
Government. Autonomy would only
serve to aggravate the numerous bloody
feuds now existing, and lighting would
continue until the Moslems were extremi-
mated. Thus far in the present troubles
two Moslems have been killed to every
Christian, which is a reversal of the condi-
tions prevailing in former disturbances.
About two-thirds of the island is owned
by Moslems, but most of it has been laid
waste. All the landed estates are now in
the hands OF the insurgents.
Judging from the reports which reach
Canea from the camp of Colonel Vassos it
is thought that he intends to assume the
offensive shortly, in which case p.enty of
employment will be furnished to the for
eign troops. 1t is rumored that Greece
has offered to buy the island form Turkey.
This idea grows in favor rapidly.
There is little doubt if Turkey would ac-
cept such an offer that the money for the
purchase could be f$und in twenty -four
hours.
ATHENS, GREECE, March 81 1t is
stated here that the powers arc seriously
discussing the question of nominating
Prince George of Greece for Governor OF
Crete
A number OF Greek sharp-shooters al
Paramanda on the frontier fired upon
some Turkish soldiers who were on their
own territory.
The Turks were deeply angered, and it
was only with the greatest difficulty the
officers prevented a conflict. The Greeks
were equally desirous with the Turks for