The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-30

Graphic Account of the State of Affairs
| In the Island by an Eneli.h Cores.
pondent- Powers Acting Allies of the
Turk--Fierce Determination of the Gre.
| tans-Christians B.in. Starved to Death
by the Blockade-Ian MacLaren Turns
the Tables on the Synod.
Copyright by The New York SUM-
! London, March 27.-The powers be-
gan shelling the Christians again this
afternoon at 2 o'clock. That is the
latest news about the Cretan situation,
as given to Christian England today in
the laconic language Of the Canea cor
respondent Of The Times Christian
England it should be added, is now so
accustomed to the news of shedding
of Christian blood by one agency or an
other that it ate it's breakfast with it's
usual appetite. I cannot immagine,
however, that even the most callous
and cynical Of this so-called Christian
nation could read today's dispatches
from the correspondent of The Tele-
graph, who has just returned from the
interior Of Crete, without a serious dis
turbance Of equanimity.
1t was high time that the reply Of
Crete to the policy which Europe is
enforcing by shells and starvation
should be made known to the world.
The answer comes today in language
SO simple, graphic and convincing that
it should rouse even the effete man.
hood of European civilization to cry
policy.
The correspondent disguised as a
Cretan priest joined the insurgents at
Akrotiri and was one of the bands of
Cretans who were requested by the
Italian admiral to visit the interior
with the object of submitting to the
people the proclamation of the adml-
rails in regard to the future Of the is
land. At Vamos an insurgent doctor
named Venzelos mounted a ladder and
read in a loud voice the proclamation,
explaining the meaning of autonomy
and demanding the views Of the people.
Shouts Of indignation resulted and
scores Of men began to speak together.
i The mayor Of Vamos said: 1--WE are
now united with Greece. We enjoy the
protection OF law and order in the in
terror of Crete and would enjoy 1t
alone. Banneck left us alone. We re-
fuse autonomy and will never COOP
crate in establishing it. We will op
pose it so long as our powder and ball
last That 10 view and the view of
all Cretans"
Ex-Deputy Pasphadkis said: "Eu-
rope does not understand the Cretan
question, and is. therefore. on the
wrong tack. We know what we want
49,,
not merely sentimental, but economi-
CAL We are decided to maintain the
union with Greece at all COSTS" Vocif-
erous cheers greeted this speech.
! The writer continues: when the
! popular passion had somewhat subsid
I ed I witnessed a scene which ] shall
! never forget. An old man, Is years Of
age. named Milonoyanaki, formerly di-
rector Of the Cretan bank said: We
all want union with Greece. On this
point there are no dissents. Europe
may annihilate us, but cannot change
our conviction. So long as Cretan lives
he will exclaim. as do now union or
DEATH MY son George was killed at
Attriu a fortnight ago. 7 loved him
dearly, but gave him willingly, and
am ready to sacrifice my family and
myself as a protest against autonomy
We have lost our property and care
naught for our lives Hereupon the
crowd shouted: We care naught for
our lives
"Suddenly I felt a strong arm tug
ging at my shoulder and, turning
round, saw a handsome man. armed,
but dressed in clerical garb. His eyes
were rolling with passion. He shout
ed: You sir shall see what value we
Cretans set upon our lives. You may
60 back and tell Europe that you saw
me do this and he seized a long white
handled dagger from one Of the by
stander's belts and one second later
would have cut his own throat from
back his arm in the nick Of time With
extreme difficulty the dagger was
wrested from his grasp He was ulti-
mately quieted.
After this. a written reply was SUBJ
mitted to the people. which was vocif-
erously applauded. and crowding
around me they exclaimed: Our ans
wer to Europe is union with Greece or
death; long live King George
"The scenes in other villages and
provinces so closely resembled this that
their detailed description would be su-
perf1uous. Everywhere enthusiasm,
unanimity and determination were dis
played. and as the Cretans are obsti-
nate, fearless and fanatical, it is diff
cult to understand by what process
known to admrals, generals or diplo-
matists. autonomy can be imposed upon
them against their own will.
Great indignation was expressed by
Christians at the marked favor mani
tested by European admirals towards
the Mosems who are allowed to send
re-inforcements. not merely of regulars
but Of irregulars including Mohamme-
dams recently rescued by Colonel Vas
sos at Candanos despite the express
written promise OF the British consul
that effective measures would be taken
to hinder them from fighting against
the Cretans in the island. Having seen
with my own eyes this promise in the
British consuPs handwriting. assured
the people that the rescued Moslems
were not allowed to engage in the com.
bat. They replied: Come up tomor.
row by day light and you will see those
same Moselms marching from Canea