Evening star., 1897-03-09
Will Not Agree to Leave Hellenic
Troops in Crete.
GREECE'O PROPOSAL TO Be REJECTED
Russia Determined on Coercion if
Necessary.
FIG HTING NEAR CANEA

LONDON. March 9.-It was learned in
official cusrters this afternoon that there
is not the slightest chance that the powers
will tolerate the presence OF the Greek
troops in Canea. So soon as the powers
have had time to exchange views on the
subject Greece will be notified of the meas
ure which they have decided must be taken
for the immediate enforcement of their
decision.
The negotiations will not last long, for it
is known that Germany and Russia are
pressing for immediate action.
II was stated This afternoon in official
circles tha; rtc renewal of fighting be
tween the insurgents and the Turks i'll the
Island Of Crsle will om1>l the powers TO
Immediately take measures TO expel the
Greeks from that island and to land for
eign troops there.
Business on the stock exchange this
morning was dull. with prices dropping.
Others were awaiting developments in the
Cretan question
The general impression in competent
quarters was that the cowers would not
accept the proposals OF Greece. and that
they world carry out their threat of
ercing Greece. if necessary.
II is believed. however. that the Greek
reply Is only intended to soften the shock
of surrender to the excited Hellenes, and
that after brief pretenSe of opposition
the government of Greece will discover
the futility of opposing the will of united
Europe. always supposinE that Europe is
united in this matter, and that the COM
pliance of Greece will follow.
Parliamentary papers have been issued
containing the full text of the notes of
the powers to Turkey and Greece. The
first note to Turkey made no mention Of
tie withdrawal of Turkish troops from
Crete: but the second explained that che
scheme of autonomy implied a progressive
reduction Of tire ottoman forces in the Is
land, and that. therefore. after the Hell
lenic evacuation the Turkish troops must
be withdrawn to the occupied towns
The Athens correspondent of the Daily
Chronicle says he has high authority fer
the statement that the Greek representa-
tiVes abroad have been ted to in
form the powers that Greece is prepared 20
recognize the temporary suZerainty of the
sultan. to withdraw the Greek fleet com
pletefy from Cretan waters and TO place
the Greek army under the command of any
military representative of the powers. SEN
ior in rank to Col. Vassos for the sake of
the restoration of order. provided the
powers will ultimately consent to a Cretan
plebisci.e.
The Times. In an editorial this morning
upon the reply of Greece 10 the powers
considers that she advances no convincing
argument why they should not execute
their threats of coercion.
The Daily News thinks that the reply
furnishes a reasonable basis for further ne
gotiations.
IL is stated that Admiral Canevaro of
the Italian fleet, in command of the CON-
bined sQuadrons, proposed as a first step in
the event of negative reply from Greece
that all the powers should recall their min
listers from Athens.
Probably it will be decided to enforce a
peaceful blockade. applying only to vessels
under the Greek flag These would not be
Confscated. but detained only until the
blockade was raised
Much is hoped in the way of solution of
the difficulty from Lord Salisbury's visit to
the queen. and the influence of the royal
family and his relations upon King George.
Advires received here from Hierapetra
say that owing to the refusal of the Mus
sulnens to surrender the fort there, the
insurgents attacked It, whereupon an I;al-
iar cruiser shelled the insurgents.