, 1897-04-05
THE CRETAN SITUATION.
THE BLOCKADE OF ATHENS BY
THE POWERS is OFF FOR
THE PRESENT.
A We, Blanket is Being Thrown Over
the Belligerents-Powers VIII An
nounce That in Case Of Victory
Neither of the Fighters Shall Have
Any of the Spells of the War.

London, April 4.-The Daily Chron-
icle will print the following tomorrow
from its Athens correspondent:
AT IL O'Clock this evening Sunday
word reaches here that n hitch has oc-
Cured. France has agreed to the block
ade of the Gulf OF Athens. The admirals
were discussing the details today and
suddenly the whole matter Is again adj
journed for several days, while M. Han
otaux produces his mysterious plan.
The French minister has assured King
George that there is no immediate pros,
pect OF a blockade, and he has begged
him not to take action. Nobody here
has the slightest notion of what the
hitch Is.
The Times will tomorrow publish the
following from it's Athens c%orrespon-
dent:
The crux Of the situation Is the pres
ence of Colonel vassos and his army in
Crete. The powers insist upon with,
drawal, but neither King George nor
the government cares to comply. 1t is
believed, however. that the difficulty
may be surmounted in the following
way:
The first step would be the withdraw
al of the Turkish forces from Crete.
This would not only remove the suspi-
| niNnp nf fho TrotorC hr.t ryDs,lA ranl-a -
possible for Colonel Vassos and the
army to return from Crete with a GER
tain noun of prestige. The prior re-
tirement OF the Turkish army would be
more offensive to the sultan's amour
proper than the simultaneous with
drawal OF both armies, inasmuch as he
has entrusted Crete to the powers, and
the arrangement to be reached would be
one concerning him and them exclusive
ly.
The order for the, recall OF the Greek
army from the frontier would immedi-
ately follow. Greece, having thus aban-
doned her contumacious attitude, the
powers might entrust her with a man
da to occupy Crete in the name Of the
sultan as when Austria received a man
date from Europe to occupy Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
Thus legally empowered, Greece could
send an army under a commander to
Crete to occupy the interior Of the ISL
and, while the international occupation
OF sea ports might continue until these
measures had been taken for the repair
alton. or possibly the possible emigra-
ton, of the Mohammedan refugees.
Eventually the Greek occupancy would
become general, the powers having in
the meantime decided upon the form Of
a new constitution, with such guaran-
tees as might be demanded by Europe
for the protection of the Mohammedan
minority. which would be readily ac-
corded by Greece.
The Times will tomorrow publish a
dispatch from Vienna which says:
At least one power will not agree TO a
direct understanding between Turkey
I'M StCtS, siIohSh IL may Dc NollIllt1It-
ly stated that the powers would regard
II as an acceptable issue out Of the pres
ent imbroiled situation. Poth the porte
and Greece will receive one more warn
ing against a disturbance of the peace.
The warning may be followed by a no
tfication that in the event OF hostilities
the aggressor will not be allowed to reap
the advantage of eventual victory.
In the case of the Turks this might
seem almost surperf1uous, as in any cir
cumstance they can gain nothing by
war, but 1t might serve to check the
bellicose enthusiasm Of the Greeks. The
question Of appointing a governor Of the
island has been referred to the ambassa-
dors at Constantinople. The suggestion
that he be the Italian admiral has been
abandoned.
The next move is likely to be a pro-
clamation by the admiras to the Gre
tans, intimating that the only obstacle
to ~paciacation is the presence Of Colonel
vassos and the Greek troops. 1t will be
made clear to them that their present
misfortunes are chiefly due to armed
Intervention Of Greece. It is evidently
hoped that II the Cretans can only be
convinced Of these facts. half the pow
ers will be accomplished.
The correspondent Of the Times at
Canea will say tomorrow:
Six Christians were killed and II
wounded on Saturday. The bodies Of
tho dead were eavagely mutilated by
Mussulmans. The garrison Of Canea
was under arms all night and day, and
strictly 'patrolled because Of fears Of in
cendiaries.
Tho bIocalde Of the island continues
to bs enforced closely.
ALREADY complaints are coming in
that signs are not wanting Of loss OF
hope by the insurgents in some sections.
In fAese districts the speedy end Of the
present unsettled disastrous situation
wonld b hailed with rejoicing. A ma
5ofity ot the Christians wish for annex
alton. They attribute the cause Of the
present struggle to the porte. and there
forc desire to sever all connections with
lthe saltan. but in tho minds Of many