Evening star., 1897-02-12
Greece Believes the Powers Will Not
Oppose Her Plans.
READY FOR HOSTILITIES WITH TURKEY
Explanation Of the Departure of the
FlotiIla.
THIRTEEN VILLAGES BURNED

citement in this city and in the province
continues, increasing with the departure Of
troops for the frontier and the equipping
of additional war vessels for service in
Cretan waters. Nobody seems to doubt
that clash at arms will occur between
Greece and Turkey unless the powers in
tervene, but 1t is believed here that Greece
will be given free hand in Crete and
that if she succeeds in annexing that island
her right to do SO will not be questioned
by the rest of Europe.
That the present trouble in Crete has
been brewing for a long time nobody pre-
tends to deny, and 1t Is equally certain that
King George has not acted without con-
sulting with his friends in sending the
torpedo f1ot,lla into Cretan waters with
instructions to prevent, at all hazards, the
landing on Crete of Turkish troops. The
independence of the island is said to have
been proclaimed and the Cretan revolu-
tionary committee is openly shipping men,
surgents.
Beyond the fact that the porte is un-
derstood to have appealed 10 the powers to
restrain Greece In this emergency nothing
seems to be known of the policy Turkey
is adopting, though 1T is reported that a
large force of Turkish troops is assembling
at Salonika for embarkation to Crete, that
there is great activity in military circles
of the Turkish fleet is being prepared for
active service.
Flight of the Governor.
Advices received from Canea today say
that Georgi Berovitch Pasha, the Turkish
governor of Crete, sought refuge last even
ing in the Greek consulate at Canea, fear
Ing the anger Of the Mussulmans and
dreading arrest. 1t is understood that
Berovitch Pasha had previously rendered
his resignation and that the sultan had
refused to accept it. The wife of Bero-
witch Pasha has been at the French con-
sulate since Wednesday, having sought
refuge there on the advice of her husband.
The Ia tier Is said to have fallen into dis
grace with the sultan because he sup
ported the Christians in the representa-
tions they made against Turkish oppres-
sion.
In reply to the request which the Turkish
minister here. Assim Bey. made yesterday
for an explanation of the departure OF
the Greek fotilla for Crete and the issuing
or the note to the powers stating, in brief,
that Greece cannot remain inactive In view
of the present outrages upon Christians
in Crete, the government of Greece says
that the measures taken are due to a de-
sire not to discourage the Christians from
occupying Halepa at a moment when an
attack upon that town is threatened.
Greek sailors Landed.
1t is added that sailors from the Greek
warships have been landed at Napela in or
der to protect the consulate of Greece in
that town.
The town Of Canea is now said to be
tolerably quiet; but 1t is estimated that
from 1000 to 5000 insurgents are gathered
about that place. awaiting reinforcements
and arms and ammunitions which have
been promised them by those in sympathy
With the revolutionary movement at Spha-
kia and other places. When the reinforce
ments arrive, 1t is stated, the insurgents
Will attack Canea in force.
1t is known here that the Turkish Off
cials In Crete have reported to the porte
that 1t Is absolutely impossible to pacify
the island without very large force Of
village and mountain stronghold in the
country. The hatred which has always
existed between the Mussulmans and Chris
tians has been famed into fever heat by
the recent collisions between the insurgents
and the Turks, and this feeling has been
still further intensified by the proclamation
Of the independence of Crete from Turkish
rule and its union with the kingdom of
Greece.
Recent Outbreak at Heraklion.
Conflicts of a more or less serious ma
ture are reported from many parts of the
island. and Heraklion is said to have been
the scene Of another and most grave out
break. The town is said to have been set
on fire at number of points.
The foreign fleets have left Canea for
Heraklion, which seems to confirm the re-
port that 1t is now the center of disturb
ance.
Other reports Say that the situation at
Retimo is almost as serious as at Herak-
lion. The Turks at Retimo, it appears re-
fuse to allow the Christians to leave the
place until a detachment of 100 Turkish
soldiers and forty Mussulmans, who are
held at Amari as hostages, are released
Belief In Omcial Circles.
The opinion expressed in official circles
here is that nothing short of landing of
blue jackets and marines from the for
eign fleets will have the effect of subduing
the insurrection, and 1t is not believed that
the powers can agree to take this STEP
Under these circumstances, therefore
Greece feels justified in adopting the course
which she judges to be the best under the
circumstances. and she will do so at any
cost, even that of conflict with Turkey.
The report that Great Britain will, IL neces-
sary, take the initiative in preventing the
Greek war vessels from actively interfer-
ing in Crete is not believed here 1t is
thought that any action which may be
taken will be by Great Britain, France
and Russia In common; but it Is conf
IDENTIFY reported that these powers have de-
cided to allow Greece to have her own way
in the matter.
What Greece Intends to Do.
LONDON, February I'D. G. Metaxas,
the Greek charge d'affaires here, called at
the foreign Office yesterday and presented
note expressly stating that the Greek
government had decided to prevent Turk
ish troops from debarking in Crete by all
the means in its power.
A dispatch to-. the Times from Canea
says that the latest telegram from Sitia
reports thirteen villages now in flames.
Christians are killing the Mohammedan
Inhabitants. Those who have succeeded
In escaping from the scene OF the massa- 4
cres are focking to Sitia, which is still In
the possession of the Turks. II.
1t Is feared that this news will produce a
dangerous reaction at sHeraklion. It is
probable that the persistence of the Mo-
hammedans in preventing the departure
Of Christians and foreigners will make
necessary active measures on the part of
the commanders of the foreign fleet. An
Italian officer of the new gendarmerie has
gone to investigate the reports OF the atroci-
ties at Hissanio. The Italian battle shin
Franceso Morosini has arrived at the Ca
nea harbor.
Turlkixh Cabinet Council.
dispatch 10 the Times.from constanti-