Evening star., 1897-02-17
Decides to Let the Powers Settle
the Cretan Question.
STEPS TO DEFEND THE FRONTIER
Reported to Have Oc-
cured in Thessa|y.
A CTIVITY AT ATH EN- 8

>
CONSTANTINOPLE, February 1.-THE
council of ministers, a result of it's all
day session at Yildiz Kiosk yesterday, has
decided to leave the pacifcation of Crete to
the powers This is regarded as a wise de-
cision In the face of a most complicated
situation In Crete. where the flags of Rus
STA, France, Great Britain, Italy and Aus
tria are flying alongside the Turkish stand
ard while Greece is seemingly defying the
powers acting as the mandatory of
Europe.
The ministerial council also decided to
send karatheodori Pasha to Crete as i'm
perial high commissioner, to adopt military
measures on the Greek frontier, as preyi-
ously intimated in these dispatches: to ap-
point Marshal Edham Pasha, who directed
TIE operations against the insurgents of
Zeitoun in 1896, to command the Turkish
troops at Elassona, and to call out the
Redifs first reserves) of the Sd Army
Corps, which is now at Salonika
ihese measures. however, are for purely
ueiehslfe purposes, and are taken in order
to enable the Turkish government to he
prepared for all eventualities
Inc sultan has informed the amba ssadors
OF the powers that in view Of the aggres-
sNe attitude of Greece he has been Obliged
10 ADOPT measures REQUIRED by the situa-
uon AT the same time the sultan took
tne occasion to express his satisfaction
at the landing of the detachments of ma
rlnes at Canea from the warships of Rms
sia France, Great Britain, Italy and Aus
trla for the restoration of order in Crete
IN spite OF this peaceful outlook it is
known that the debarkation of the Greek
forces III Crete caused q great sensation at
1ild1z Kiosk. and 1t required the use of
much tact upon the part of the ambas-
sadors to prevail upon the porte to accept
the situation as it Is now presented.
Fighting In Thexxaly.
Anti-Turkish manifestations are reported
to have occurred at Arta and Prevessa, in
Thessaly, shots have been fired and Turk
ish frontier guard has been wounded 1t
Is hoped, however, that no further trouble
will occur. although the Greeks are known
to be gathering troops near the frontier
The sultan seems to be well aware that
Greece would not have acted defiantly
as she has done without having at least
one powerful friend behind her, and il is
this feature of the complications which
is having the most calming effect upon
the Turks who also see in the abandon
ment of Crete to Greece a possible loop
hole of escape from further and much
more important changes in the map of
the Turkish empire.
To the sultan it seems to be the old story
of its being an i'll wind which blows no
body good, and he is credited with hop
ing that his obedience to the wishes of the
powerful friend or friends of Greece in
the matter of Crete may be placed to his
credit when the long discussed and much
postponed reforms of the Turkish en-
pire come to the front again.
The action Of Greece may have been
nothing more than coincidence. it is re-
marked, but 1t is out of such coincidence e
that oriental diplomacy is framed.
Panic In a Theater.
There was incident at the PEOPLES
tor in 40 "A NH Iartar for
day evening. which is regarded by many
other outbreak upon the part of the Mus
sulmans.
Two Albanian soldiers Of the Yildiz pal
ace guard, the most trusted troops of the
sultan, were among the audience, and.
suddenly, these two soldiers discharged
their Ievolvers in the air, causing a terri
BILE panic. rough -and-tumble fight fol
lowed. during which a bystander was
wounded, and the two guardsmen were
arrested and taken to the nearest police
depot. previous to being handed over to the
military authorities Of the YildiZ Kiosk.
1t has been announced in the newspapers
here that the Turkish minister at Athens,
Assim Bay, has been appointed a member
of the council of state; that lie is to be re-
called immediately, and that the Greek
minister here, Prince Maurocordato, is to
be given his passports. But as this dis
patch Is sent tie report has not been con-
llrIled anu tne sultan may nave been In
duced by the ambassador to delay the mat
ter indefinitely.
Preparations at Athens.
ATHENS, February 1.-THE battery Of
field artillery commanded by Prince Nicho-
las of Greece started today for Larissa
twenty miles from the Gulf of Salonika.
The naval and military reserves are still
being enrolled. The Greek ironclad spezia
which arrived here from Toulon yester-
day. will he prepared for active service
With all possible haste.
Reinforcements are being sent to the
Greek troops on the Island of Crete
Stores, provisions and munitions of war
accompany them.
The Greek government maintains that it
is acting in the interests Of the peace of
Europe.
TURKEY WILLING TO YIELD.