The record-union., 1897-02-26
Or the Powers Will Take Reprisals
and Blockade the Piraeus.
King George Reiterates That il is I'M
possible for His Government to
Retreat, and Is Concentrating
Troops on the Frontier, With the
Intention of Beginning HostiIities
Unless Allowed to Annex the
Island.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 25.-Rus-
sia, through the Russian Minister at
Athens, NJ. Konou, has called upon
Greece to withdraw all her troops and
fleet within three days.
The foregoing semi-official announce
ment was accompanied by a long state
ment of the motives actuating Rus
sia, namely:
That to prevent the extension of the
revolution to other portions of the
Turkish empire. imperiling the peace
OF Europe, stop must be put to the
action of Greece, which is in opposi-
tion to international law. Before ne
gotiations for future Cretan Consti-
tuition can be entered upon, it is as
serted, Russia has resolved to restore
order in Crete. Then. after the Greek
evacuation, under the protection of
the Powers, an autonomous Govern
ment would be installed, under the
suzerainty of the Sultan.
In this policy, it is claimed. Russia
is supported by France, Germany and
Austria. Throughout the entire state
ment neither England nor Italy is
mentioned, but Greece is warned that
should she. in blind misconception of
her own interests, allow herself to
he excited by self-seeking friends to
persist in her present attitude under
the false idea that the Powers are not
united, because at the outset one or
another has not concurred in Russia's
proposals, Russia is resolved to take
reprisals, the first step being the
blockade of the Piraeus. The Powers
considered the Greek annexation of
Crete out of the question, and it is as
serted that in the consciousness of
their absolute support Russia will be
IN position to prevent the Cretan
question from importing the peace of
Europe, even should any individual
Power refuse to accede to the proposed
measures.
ATHENS, Feb. 25.-King George and
his Government reiterate that it is i'm
possible for them to retreat from their
decision in regard to Crete, which is
supported by the whole nation.
PARIS, Feb. PA dispatch from
Larissa, Greece, says that 10000 Greek
troops are concentrated there and the
greatest activity prevails. II is be-
lieved at Larissa tina general hostili-
ties will Immediately begin on the from
tier in the event of Greece not being
allowed to annex Crete.
CONSTANTINOPLE. Feb. 25-War
preparations are actively proceeding in
Turkey. Quantities of Mauser rifles
and munitions of war have been dis
patched from here to Salonika and
Adrianople, the consignments to the
latter place being for the Mussulmans
on the Bulgarian frontier. Similar
measures are being taken ON the Ser
Wan frontier.
BRITISH POLICY.
LONDON, Feb. 25.-In the House of
Lords to-day the Marquis of Salisbury.
replying to a question from Lord Dun
raven, said that, as the best means of
placing the House of Lords in possess
ion of facts of moment in regard to
Crete, he would read a telegram sent
yesterday evening to the British EN-
bassadors to the courts of the great
Powers, as follows:
Inform the Government to which you
are accredited that her majesty's Gov
ernment purposes making the following
declarations of policy. which it intends
to pursue, and which it believes is in ac-
cordance with the views of it's allies.
First-The establishment of an ad-
ministrative autonomy in Crete as a
necessary condition for the termination
of international occupation.
Secondly-That, subject to the above
conditions, Crete ought, in it's judg-
ment, to remain a portion of the Turkish
Empire.
Thirdly-That the Turks and Greeks
should be informed by the Powers of
this resolution.
Fourth-That if Turkey or Greece
should, when required, persistently re-
fuse to withdraw their military and
naval forces from the island, the Pow
ers should enforce their decision by
force upon the State so refusing.