The herald., 1897-03-26
TURKISH
MURDERS
Lead to Change in Cretan
Policy
NO BRITISH WARSHIPS
Will Be Found In the Blockad-
ing Squadron
FIRST REAL BATTLE FOUGHT
RESULTS IN A VICTORY FOR
THE INSURGENTS
A Fort Attacked and After Fierce
Fight Is Captured and Blown
Up With Dynamite-Ex-
element at Athens
Associated Press Special Wire.


change in the policy of Great Britain.
foreshadowed in these dispatches yes
terday. has assumed definite shape. The
recent massacre of Armenians at To-
kat, the danger Of further outbreaks in
Anatolia, and the action Of the porte in
semi officially pointing out to the Turk
ish press and provincial officials that
the blockade of Crete by the fleets was
triumph for the policy Of the sultan.
have had the effect of showing that the
Christians of Armenia are in danger Of
determination. Consequently 1t is semi
officially stated here that the British ad
miral in Cretan waters has ben notified
not to send any Of the warships of Great
Britain to take part in the proposed
blockade Of the ports Of Greece. At the
same time. however. in order to avoid
an open rupture with the powers, Great
Britain will acquiesce in the blockade Of
Greek ports
According to the reports in diplomatic
circles here, the powers have already
been notified to this effect.
The sultan's advisers are making the
best of the situation by pointing to the
fact that so long as the sultan has the
support Of the other powers. he has
nothing to fear from Great Britain. 1t
is whispered that France will. in all
probability, follow the example Of Great
Britain France, 1t is expected, is ready
to take the step without disturbing to
any appreciable degree her accord with
Russia, and 1t is added that In any case
the French government would not risk
taking part in the blockade Of Greece
without first consulting the chamber Of
deputies 1t is stated that Great Britain
has intimated to the powers that If
Greece is blockaded. steps should also
be taken to blockade the Turkish ports.
Greece. 1t is explained, had previously
made similar proposal to the Turkish
government, but the porte consulted
with the ambassadors of Russia and
Germany, seemingly the foremost friends
of Turkey, with the result that the rep
resentatives of these powres advised the
Turkish government to decline the Of
fer.
A FORT ATTACKED.
CANEA. March 2b.-The insurgents
made determined attacks upon the
blockhouse or fort at Malaxa. outside
suda, today. During the night the in
surgent fopces were pushed forward until
they occupied convenient positions for
attack. About 6 a. m. artillery opened
fire upon the Turkish blockhouse. In
short time nothing remained to the
Turks but determination or evacuation.
The Mussulmans commenced to retreat
C,,J ha Tn fch r.
ships in the bay to save them from the
Christians. The sultan's fleet opened a
badly judged fire upon the insurgents
to cover the retreat from the block
house. The shells fell either short or
far beyond the insurgents forces. Con-
sequently the Christians pushed forward
steadily, pressing hard upon the rear,
the Turks keeping up a continual skir-
mish fire. The Turks made stand now
and then, pouring few volleys in the
direction of the insurgents skirmish
lines.
The insurgents succeeded in pushing
on to the village of Tsikilaria. where
! they fired some houses While this
fighting was in progress detachemnt
Ct Turkish troops. being unaware tho
the garrison of the fort at Malaxa was
retreating upon Suda, closely pursued
by the Christians, made eortie from
Canea with a convoy Of provisions In
tended for the garrison at Malaxa. Near
Keratidd the Turks were met by the in
surgents. who opened fierce fire which
stopped the a1vance Of the column. The
Turkish commanders took up the best
position possible in order to protect the
convoy. At noon. as this dispatch IS
sent, the fighting between the Turks
and Christians near Keratidi was still
in progress and the result uncertain.
The Turkish garrison at Malaxa lost
heavily during the retreat. The insur-
gents occupy all the heights in the vi
cinity Of Canea as far as Perivolia. hav-
ing captured the two last Turkish for
tresses. Only the feet of the powers
prevents the entire success of the cause.
The blockade all along. the Cretan coast
has not prevented several small Greek
vessels from landing ammunition and
provisions. A Greek vessel captured
by Austrian gunboats had on board
Sixty volunteers and q quantity Of am
munition.
ESQ p. m---The Christians still occupy
the fort At Malaxa. from which they
drove. the Turks BY hombardment this
morning. y s9lts Of the shells which